For Florists, the Rush is On

This year Mother's Day happens to fall on a very busy week — one on the heels of Easter and Administrative Professionals Day.

It may be tricky to fill all those flower orders as local florists are working overtime to tracking down enough daisies and lilies to work into arrangements good enough to honor Mom. With Easter and other holidays being late on the calendar Mothers Day orders are flooding most flower shops and hitting them harder than usual, florists said.

Tom Addalia, of Flowers by Addalia, said this Mother's Day happens to be especially challenging.

"We had Easter very late backed up by Administrative Professionals Week and Mother's Day came right behind," said Addalia. "Usually we have a week in between; this year we had no time. We're really up against the wall."

The calendar isn't the only think causing havoc for florists. Demand is outpacing supply thanks to South American weather's effects on flower crops, he said.

"That combined with product shortages due to the holidays being back-to-back and South America has had some severe weather issues with flooding; everything is in short supply," Addalia said.

Of course, Mom doesn't want to hear the reason you showed up empty-handed is because of what the weather was in southern continents. Although flowers may be in short supply for the last few weeks Mothers Day orders still have to be filled.

Addalia, who has been in business for 30 years, spoke about the Mothers Day rush: "This is the biggest holiday of the year," said Addalia. "The single busiest day is Valentine's Day, but Mothers Day stretches out over four or five days."

It may be a hectic few weeks, but "mothers love flowers" as Tom Addalia said, so the show must and will go on.

"It's actually easy to just make mom something pretty when it comes to flowers. We try to put together something that is long lasting and very pleasing to the eye. Vases are the most popular as opposed to baskets going back to years ago. They hold better, the look better and being in water makes them last longer than in foam. White water cans or pitchers are very popular vases this year." said Addalia.

Mother's Day is often another hint of spring, and the burst of blooms that come with spring weather. Addalia said arrangements made with what's in season are popular.

"We sell a combination of spring flowers for Mothers Day," explained Addalia. "Depending on price some will have roses, but people have become very intelligent as far as what type of flowers and knowing what varieties they want. Roses, lilies, tulips, irises, Gerber Daisies etc are all popular and we try to make a combination of those flowers."

There's a trend toward plants over cut flowers, Addalia said.

Over the last few years many people have been buying less roses and carnations for Mother's Day and started buying Mom flowers that can be planted in the ground long after her special day is over. Cut flowers tend to die faster than annuals or perennials.

Depending on your flower needs the prices will differ. Basic arrangements start at $35.00 which include flowers like carnations, pom-poms, Astermarias, and some lilies. As the price goes up the flower options open up a bit more. Gerber daises, hybrid lilies, and roses will be included in these different arrangements.

"The average price for this holiday is between 50 and 60 dollars so people will have something really nice in this price range," he said.

Addalias has been delivering flowers most of this week in preparation for the big day. He usually suggests to have the flowers delivered on Friday or Saturday even though they offer delivery on Mother's Day.

"Sunday's a tough day, because people are going out. People understand that, which is different than Valentine's Day when most people want the flowers delivered on that day. It's never too late to order something for mom," added Addalia. "The biggest challenge will be delivery on Saturday, but we will take upwards of 500 deliveries on Saturday into Sunday."