Since time immemorial, flowers have served as an eternal symbol of romance and an expression of love for one another, be it for the living or the departed. Such symbolism may have remained unchanged over time, but getting them really fresh and attractive can pose a lot of problems. Imported flowers pass through refrigeration in warehouses for days before reaching their local consignees or outlets.

To get your best pick of cut flowers, here are a few guides from Dutch florist Remco Van Vliet of the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Don’t Buy Your Flowers From Supermarkets

Most flowers from these outlets have probably spent months in refrigeration after being imported from some foreign countries. In essence, remarked Vliet, the flowers are put to sleep so when you cut and soak them in water, the neck sags in an hour. Usually, wholesalers have prior claims the moment the flowers arrive, so what remains are left-over items that are then sold cheaply.

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Don’t Order Flowers Online

Certainly, there’s a lot of difference between viewing a flower online, and enjoying its fragrance personally. Vliet recommends putting more time and effort into your flower selection instead of just placing your order online. It’s more about your effort than just the actual merchandise, he adds.

Pick Fresh Flowers

Carefully examine its foliage or cluster of leaves – not the flower itself – to determine the flower’s freshness. If the bottom foliage of a rose appears yellow or dry, the flower is already old. Otherwise, the flower should maintain its bloom for a few more weeks, especially when placed inside warmer surroundings.

Don’t Lose Sleep Over Allergies

In controlled surroundings or at your home, there shouldn’t be any winds strong enough to waft the pollen around, so you need not fret about aggravating anyone’s allergies, except in extreme conditions. Besides, a good number of hybridized varietals no longer need pollen. However, to be sure, you can always get tulips to adorn your home.

If you can’t get fresh flowers, summon your creative juices. What about colorful anemones, US-grown and certified fresh? A bouquet of ranunculus is definitely eye-catching and available almost anywhere in the country. If you’re visiting a couple who are yogis, they’ll love wild flowers! If she’s of European descent, she’ll love you for bringing her a hand-tied bouquet of sweet peas, calla lilies and ranunculus. It may even send her the message that you’re a spontaneous, fun, and creative kind of guy – the kind whose mind doesn’t get stuck in a box.

By Daniel

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