COASTAL FLORISTS’ HAVE FLOWER FLAIR

Roses are red, but a freshly cut cluster of daisies is just as romantic, according to Kylie Robertson of Robertson’s Farmgate.

There’s been a great shift from red to pink in rose varieties, and the Robertson’s grow theirs on site, outdoors.

Their garden is full of “voluptuous and heady old fashioned roses, full of perfume,”

co-owner Kylie said. Many commercial roses are grown in hot houses where stems are bred out for convenience, but in taking away the thorns the scent is lost.

Farmgate’s roses have big thorns, but they’re stripped out thoroughly for the bouquets.

“Valentine’s day for us is a 24-hour love-fest.

“We’ve seen it really evolve into a beautiful thing, not just for couples, but dad’s buying for daughters and mothers too.”

Kendall and Josh Carracher of Flower Child Posies believe it’s the thought that counts, specialising in little bunches of flowers at $29 a posy.

The menu for this Valentine’s Day is a posy of red and white roses or Australian native Strawberry Fields flowers.

The tiny straw-like flower appears as though “cute little strawberries are popping out”.

Kendall will be working this alongside her husband on Valentine’s Day, and together they’ll be sending messages of FLOWER FLAIR love all around.

“That’s why I have a flower shop, so I can surround myself with beautiful flowers every day.”

Flower Child’s first order of flowers was from a woman buying for a man, it’s a break from tradition for these guys, often they deliver from a girl to a girlfriend.

“They want to avoid a friend being sad, not receiving anything on the special day, this way it’s a nice surprise”.

Great Ocean Road Flowers is ready with a heat-induced twist for the romantic day.

Susie Indermaur says a great alternative is to “put some tropical flowers with the roses, possible due to the warmer weather.”

Hydrangeas and bouvardias are also in season along with dahlias.

“The local breeds come in some amazing colours,” she said.