Valentine's Day: McLean Florists, Flower Shops Busy

Valentine’s Day is the busiest holiday for florists—and, predictably, red roses continue to dominate Valentine’s Day as the most popular flowers, according to the Alexandria-based Society of American Florists. Add in roses of other colors, and roses can account for more than 75 percent of fresh flower purchases on Valentine’s Day.

McLean's Flowers & Plants Etc. has a solid supply of premium, long-stem roses and business has been busy but steady so far, said Chip Frederick, co-owner of the store. 

If you think roses are expensive around Valentine’s Day, it’s a simple matter of supply (from the growers) and demand. Jenny Scala, spokeswoman for the Society of American Florists, said there were 224 million roses produced for Valentine’s Day in 2012.

“They’re bringing in a bunch of extra labor and extra flights—just the cost in general of getting them to us” can be higher, Frederick said.

In addition, growers, cargo companies and florists all face a short freshness and delivery window—receiving flowers on Feb. 15 just wouldn’t be acceptable to some.

"The smart people get them delivered on the 11th or 12th," Chip said, so loved ones who receive flowers at work can enjoy them longer—Valentine's Day is on a Thursday this year.

To make sure you get flowers to your loved one on time, call or stop by one of these McLean flower shops: 

Golden Touch Florist and Gifts, 6240 Old Dominion Drive

Flowers & Plants Etc., 1378 Chain Bridge Road (winner, Patch's Readers' Choice 2012)

Bouse Flowers, 1420 Chain Bridge Road

Gathered Stems, 8100 Old Dominion Drive

Queen & i Floral Preservation, 6830 Old Dominion Drive - in case you want to preserve those beautiful flowers!

Fun fact: Men make the majority of flower purchases on Valentine’s Day, but about 18 percent of women who buy flowers are doing so for themselves.