A Florist's Advice on Shopping for Fresh Flowers

Floral & Decor IdeasEducation & Workshops

Apr 12

Going to the flower market is a regular part of my job as a florist and event designer, but even after all these years, the sight of all those fresh flowers never gets old! Being surrounded by bunch after bunch of beautiful blooms brings me so much joy, and sparks my creativity every time.

For those of you who don’t shop for fresh flowers every day, I know it can be had to know where to begin. Even I get overwhelmed by all the options sometimes! Whether you’re shopping at a farm stand, a flower market, or your local grocery store, there are a few things to look out for when choosing the best blooms to create your own at-home floral arrangements.

Read on for my flower shopping tips, and watch the video below to go along with me to the flower market!

The 3 main things I consider when shopping for fresh flowers:

Color

What feeling are you trying to convey with your arrangement? Bright colors are fun and energizing, while more muted tones can be subdued, calming and serene.
Do you want an arrangement with a single color palette or do you want to have a multiple colors working together?
How will the colors you choose compliment each other, or provide contrast?
What vase or container will you be using for your arrangement, and what color flowers will look best in it?

Texture

Do you want a sleek, modern arrangement? Choose a single variety of flower for a streamlined effect.
Do you want an arrangement that’s soft and flowing? Combine multiple varieties of flowers with differing shapes and textures for a more organic look.
Add greenery or other botanicals to create a larger arrangement and a fuller look.

Quality/Longevity

Check for discoloration and/or water marks.
Touch the head of the flower bud for firmness, if it’s not firm it’s probably a few days old.
Look at the leaves of the flower, if they are dark or dry then the flower is likely a few days old.
Look at the stem of the flower, if it’s brown or broken then it’s not a fresh floral stem.
Smell the flower, if it smells rotten it probably is.

Once you’ve made your choices, remember to keep your flowers in water and to process them as soon as possible. I recommend stripping your stems of excessive greens, trimming their ends at an angle, and putting them in fresh water with flower food as soon as you arrive home. Then, have fun creating something beautiful!