The holiday for candy, flowers, cards and sweet nothings is upon us. Here’s the lowdown on flowers, namely roses — red roses.
Roses. In “Romeo and Juliet,” playwright William Shakespeare said that by any other name, it wouldn’t smell as sweet, but for florists, this time of year means that scent is the smell of money.
Local florists at Bette’s Flowers say that many of the national trends that the Society of American Florists finds are the same for Oxford.
As a college town, Oxford has a larger population of 18- to 24-year-olds. This age groups tends to purchase more flowers, possibly due to more disposable income, or optimism and belief in true love, among other reasons.
Valentine’s Day means a huge upticks for business during which the shop makes a month’s worth of business in one day.
Although roses seem to be the flower of choice this holiday, florist Camille Garrett of Bette’s Flowers suggest a fragrant spring bouquet.
“They last longer and don’t die at the same time” Garret said. “And one needs to remember that most roses for Valentine’s are cut in mid-January.”
Rose Countdown
One may be the loneliest number, but a single rose can also say, “I love you,” and proclaim “undying devotion.”
Two roses intertwined can say, “Marry me.”
Six roses indicate a need to be cherished.
Eleven roses plus one is a popular combination, according to Garrett. Many boys give 11 roses plus one silk one, saying that they will “love you ’til the last flower dies.”
Thirteen roses leave mystery and indicate a secret admirer.
“48 Roses,” a song by Mariachi El Bronx, talks of a fellow lucky or unlucky in love with 4 women.
Fifty-one percent of all consumers buy red roses.
