Super cheeky romantics

By Chris Valli

It seems Marlburians are rather romantic.

With Valentine’s Day yesterday, Mayflower Studio Florist owner Jane Robinson says the messages staff had to write on cards ranged from super cheeky and cute to super romantic and sloppy.

Jane says Valentines gets bigger every year but it really swings on the day it falls on. She says Tuesday was a busy one whereas weekends are way quieter.

The Queen Street florist preorders roses four weeks before February 14 while other flowers two weeks.

“We order supplies like vases and cards two months out as wholesalers sell out fast. We start prepping up a week out with vases and boxes. Luckily this year we could work Saturday and Sunday so we had eight florists working all weekend prearranging bouquets and processing roses as they arrived,” Jane says.

Mayflower Studio had eight florists working, four drivers in vehicles delivering and two counter staff on computer taking orders via phone and walk in.

“We have to have a shop full of bouquets ready Valentines Eve and all our ‘regular’ orders completed the previous day otherwise we can’t keep up with the walk in orders on Valentine’s Day.

“Valentine’s Day is very much spontaneous and reciprocal, once our flowers are delivered early, especially to workplaces we are swamped

ROSE TO THE OCCASION:

Mayflower Studio florist Libby Smith-Kapralos with some of the Valentines Day bouquets. again with more orders from people who have received flowers and want to send some too.”

Jane says this year people have been incredibly organised and ordered early especially the blokes with ‘most Valentines orders from men’.

“The most popular flowers are roses, red first then mixed colours; pinks, whites and mixes. Oriental (scented) lilies are popular and everyone loves a lovely mixed bouquet especially if it’s using local flowers and wildflowers. Pastel and colourful are both winners.”

Jane says she believes if women ordered more they would see mixed flower bouquets and less red roses. Meanwhille, fun fact for those