Florist prepares for Cupid's arrow to strike Hamilton
Marie Fowler has seen her fair share of forgetful partners rush into the doors of Florist Ilene on Valentine's Day.
Florists see their fair share of forgetful spouses on Valentine's Day.
There are also the single friends who buy flowers for each other, and the person who ticks all the boxes by sending away more than one bouquet.
For many people on February 14, flowers are the symbol of love.
Marie Fowler says flowers are a way to reconnect or bond with a person.
But they can also act as a way to reconnect with someone, said Florist Ilene owner Marie Fowler.
"They are a tool for opening up the conversation."
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Florist Ilene in Frankton is flooded with lovers in the run-up to Valentine's Day.
Fowler is expecting to serve all types of Valentine's Day lovers, even those who may have initially forgotten the day.
"There's always someone. There're always the latecomers," she said.
"After work, they're running in and you can see the panic on their face."
Fowler said usually floristry is female-based, but come Valentine's Day, there are more men walking through the doors than women.
She's noticed men can be picker than women - they don't want to get their choices wrong.
Fowler has already ordered a couple of thousand stems of New Zealand-grown roses, but the best colour choice isn't always red.
Those in new relationships could opt for a pink or yellow rose instead, she said.
And true love is often symbolised by a white rose.
She said for the younger generation, Valentine's Day is a time to court someone special.
Fowler has worked at Ilene's for 18 years and has owned it for four.
"That is a lot of Valentine's Days," she said.
When the event falls on a weekday, flowers are the obvious choice, but when Valentine's occurs on a weekend, Fowler said people have time to do something else, like go out to dinner.
This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday.
"So no doubt it's going to be a big one [for flowers] this year," Fowler said.
Florist Ilene has operated in Frankton for 62 years and courier Brian Quinlan has been delivering bouquets to couples for 20 years.
He says it's a busy time to be a courier.
"But I'm the guy who gets to see the person's reaction."
The next biggest days for florists are Mother's Day and Christmas, Fowler said.
- Stuff
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