Valentine’s Day blooms

Valentine’s Day holds a special place in people’s hearts everywhere. It’s a day that allows us to not only share our love with one another, but our appreciation as well.

One of the most tried and true ways to express our fondness is the act of gift giving, particularly flowers, especially on Valentine’s Day.

Thankfully, Medford is home to some of the most exquisite florists around. Each has their own talents, and the pride they have in their work is reflected through their craftsmanship.

While they differ in style, everyone is in agreement about a single thing when it comes to Valentine’s Day floral arrangements: red roses reign supreme. It is, after all, the flower of love.

Blooms is one such local flower shop, hosted in the Medford County Market grocery store. With several florists operating in one space, they each bring a different perspective to flower arranging and collaborate to produce a vast array of designs.

“There’s a negative stigma about grocery store florists, but we are just as capable as your typical florists,” said Victoria, who works at Blooms.

“We are 100% certified,” said another florist employed with Blooms. “We specialize in unique arrangements.”

Their bright and chirpy flower displays are proof enough that they are head and shoulders above the stereotype of grocery store florists, and they take care as they present a ribbon-wrapped vase of flowers, including the blushing star red roses.

While roses are the go to for a significant other, a mixed bouquet is popular to get for relatives, such as a mother, “People generally trust us to put something together.”

In addition to the unique individual designs, Blooms offers single red roses, as well as flower arrangements without vases. For holiday arrangements, a special floral design is typically between $50 and $70.

Naomi Hartl is the owner and operator of Green Bee Floral Design, located in the Medford Depot building in downtown Medford. She creates artistic floral patterns with vast variation in flower choice, though the red rose is still often used as a center piece.

“The red rose is still number one and always will be... it’s very traditional for Valentine’s Day, though I always offer it in a much different style. I mix in different textures, rather than the traditional dozen red roses with greens and baby’s breath,” she said as she twirled twine around a hand-tied bouquet that includes parrot tulips alongside the classic red roses. “It makes it more interesting.”

“The blue bonnet orchid is also very popular and I like to order them in for holidays” “My designs are higher end,” she added proudly, “that’s not something I’m secretive about.”

Naomi also underlined the pressure florists are under for the special holiday. “We begin ordering product by the beginning of December, so while most people are thinking about Christmas shopping, I’m already looking towards Valentine’s Day. Florists have to invest thousands of dollars just to open their doors on Valentine’s day... While I get many preorders, over 75% of sales happen on Valentine’s Day” Last year she ran a holiday special of tulips and heart-shaped cookies alongside a card. She said budgets for Valentine’s Day flowers can run from a single rose wrap for $5, and up to $150 displays.

Hartl offers advice on longer lasting flowers: “Flowers will last you a week and a half, but that can be elongated by changing the water often and snipping the stems.”

Another florist local to Medford is Flowers by Laurie operated by Laurie Jahnke, located on Hwy 13 on the north side of Medford.

Jahnke’s center display is an immediate eye catcher. Stacked high with a plethora of sharply-hued petals, there is no shortage of splendid flowers.

Roses, of course, are the hot ticket item.

“Dozen roses with some mixed fillers,” Jahnke affi rmed, “but mainly dozens.”

Jahnke also suggests bromeliad flowers as another pleasant choice, “They are showy and last for a long time.”

Laurie offers many accoutrements to build upon a Valentine’s Day gift, “We have lotions and candles, we’re into jewelry, purses, and scarves,” she said, gesturing towards a rack brimming with radiant jewelry and flickering cloth items.

“We have stuff that starts at two dollars and up, so you can walk in and buy something for $5 and keep adding a few things, ending up with a nice little gift.”

“A lot of it is locally made,” Jahnke continues, adding thanks to the community for their ongoing patronage of the shop.

No matter which one of these florists you choose for your Valentine’s Day gifts, you are sure to leave happy with a brilliantly crafted work of art.