Vibrant and sweet even in death, is there any symbol of romance more timeless than a flower? Even old King Solomon once compared a lover to a cluster of henna blossoms. Roses, orchids, and other such fauna have long been subjects of fascination for poets, but in Victorian England, they began to take on a more practical usage. Victorian aristocrats, known for their rigid decorum, would use floral arrangements as coded messages, conveying emotions that would be unseemly to speak aloud. Oh, how the times — and holiday traditions —have changed.
Today, the language of flowers has fallen out of common knowledge, but flowers continue to be a popular romantic gesture. For those who don’t know of any local florists, there are a number of sites that can deliver a bouquet in a timely manner. Some rely on modern aesthetics and volcanic soil from South America, while others prefer to entice buyers with the promise of chocolate-drizzled sweets and modest pricing. Either way, as Valentine’s Day approaches, they just might come in handy.
The Bouqs Co.
The Bouqs may sound like the name of a rock band from the early aughts, but that’s just part of the plucky startup’s charm. The big draw is that their flowers are “farm fresh,” grown in volcanic soil in countries such as Ecuador and cut before blooming to maintain freshness. Touting their sustainable farming methods and love for their customers, The Bouqs Co. is an excellent flower delivery service for the Internet Age.
1-800-Flowers
If the 1-800 number in the name didn’t give it away, 1-800-Flowers is a relatively old-school delivery service, from the days when toll free numbers were in en vogue. As a longstanding institution, they’re a reliable company, offering the traditional flower arrangements one might expect for Valentine’s Day. They even offer some respectable discounts, for those wanting a more frugal gift.
FTD
Florists’ Transworld Delivery (FTD) is a massive delivery service, operating through local florists around the United States. Orders are placed through them and routed to a florist near you, so they will be fresh when delivered. They offer a wide range of prices, and various sweets or gifts to include with the flowers.
Teleflora
Combining a Greek and Latin word into a classical mashup — in this case tele-, meaning across, and flora-, meaning flower — is a surefire way to give a business a touch of prestige. Teleflora’s classical pretension ends at the name, however, as its bouquets and vases look distinctly modern, and come in a variety of striking shapes and arrangements. Although pricier than some of its competitors, Teleflora makes up for it with visual panache.
ProFlowers
ProFlowers’ biggest draw — other than classy arrangements — is the company’s inclusion of Shari’s Berries in gift packages. The only downside to giving someone roses is that they probably won’t want to eat them, so why not send some chocolate-covered strawberries along as well?
