How to Choose Flowers That Last for Your Valentine

A Valentine’s bouquet of fresh flowers is typically so beautiful you wish they’d last forever. Obviously, cut flowers do have an expiration date, but by choosing specific varieties and performing various maintenance procedures, your bouquets can be your “best buds” for a good while.

Carnations, alstroemeria and roses top the list of longest-lasting cut flowers, said Jocie Rogers corporate floral coordinator for English Gardens.

“Carnations can last up to 15 days in a vase,” explained Rogers. “They come in an array of colors; white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, striped and so on.”  They also are two sizes: standard and miniature.

“Consumers should look for carnations that are in tight bud form,” Rogers said. Alstroemeria, a delicate-looking flower, “can live up to 14 days in a vase of water and comes in a wide range of colors, plus they all have a striping effect that can be either very subtle or very distinct depending on the color.” Rogers said to look for blooms that are semi-closed and have crisp, fresh, green leaves.

As for roses – one of the most romantic of flower – expect them to last from seven to 10 days. “The rose is a traditional symbol of love and is most popular at Valentine’s Day,” said Rogers, who added that rose enthusiasts should look for blooms that have not opened fully and lush green leaves. (Fun fact: An estimated 196 million roses were produced for Valentine's Day in 2011)

Maintenance Tips

Now that you know what type lasts the longest, here’s a look at other ways to boost your flowers' “vaselife:”

From Carolyn Hefner, an event planner and owner of in Birmingham:  

• “If arrangements have already been given a boost by the florist with their mix of preservatives, then change the water daily.”
• “To extend their beauty, I put bouquets in a cool garage at night.”

From Jocie Rogers of English Gardens:

•  “Cut flower stems with pruners or a knife.”
• “Keep flowers away from extreme heat or cold.”

From Bill Hamilton, an event planner and owner of Bill Hamilton Designs of Royal Oak:    

“I’ve heard of adding to the water  everything from a dime to Sprite to a little bleach to the powder that comes with the flowers. The basic reason for putting anything in the water is to keep bacteria from building up in the container.

"So don’t set ‘em and forget ‘em — if you change your water at least every other day and recut the stems (on an angle), your flowers will last.” 

Where to Buy

In a poll conduced on the Macomb Patch Facebook last year, readers said the in Macomb County are:

• Costco, 45460 Market St, Shelby Township
• Viviano's, 50626 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township. Locations are also available in St. Clair Shores and Chesterfield.
• Nino Salvaggio's, 17496 Hall Road, Clinton Township. Locations are also available in St. Clair Shores and Troy.
• Chesterfield Florist, 31585 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield

Think Outside the Box of Roses

"It's never too late to buy flowers for Valentine's Day," said Peter Viviano, of Viviano Flower Shop. "The holiday is pretty much dominated by roses and men tend to buy red roses ... but you want the flower to fit the personality. Although I can't complain about the red, there are so many fun, new colors to try."

Viviano said he encourages customers to work with a sales consultant to ensure they pick out the most unique flowers to satisfy their significant other and buy local as much as possible.

"I encourage men to not be intimidated, to order ahead of time and, if they can, have the flowers delivered to their girlfriend's work," Viviano said. "When a woman gets flowers delivered to her at work, she never forgets it."

For his own wife, Viviano said he typically selects colors that don't normally get used for Valentine's Day. He combines different color varieties, but always makes sure the buds will be fragrant and fully open upon delivery.

"I have been doing this for years and I will still give my wife flowers on Valentine's Day," Viviano said. "We've been married 12 years, and she grew up in the flower business as well, and she still gets a kick out of getting the flowers. It's a dramatic experience."