Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
Flower power
Our mission: Find the best bouquet for $50, appropriate to a month-long relationship. San Grewal ordered the flowers; Janice Maw
SAN GREWAL
LIFE WRITER
For all you lost romantics caught in the early stages of a relationship with St. Valentine's Day looming, don't sweat over what type of flowers to send and how to pen the perfect phrase. The Star is here to help.
To make things easier for readers stuck in this delicate predicament, Janice Mawhinney and I staged a little ruse. Here's how it worked: I called six florists from around the GTA and told them I needed flowers delivered to my girlfriend Janice (although I adore her, we are just good friends who happen to sit six feet apart).
But there's a catch.
Each florist was told that Janice, whom I said I have been dating for one month, was going to be away, so flowers had to be delivered early, and because I am just slightly more suave than Homer Simpson when it comes to matters of the heart, their work didn't end there.
They were each given a budget of $50, which included tax and delivery. Each florist would have to decide what flowers to send and would have to come up with an appropriate note to go with them.
Here's how they fared.
===================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
Verdi tulips sing sweetly
Who would guess that 12 simple red tulips could be presented so artistically and magnificently? Verdi Florist on St. Clair Ave. W. sent the only flowers that arrived in a vase as a complete package. Very few people passed my desk without stopping to admire the Verdi tulips during the days that six arrangements sat there together. The flower materials themselves are likely the simplest and least expensive of all, but the presentation is the most creative, graceful and striking. Small in size and uncomplicated in colour scheme, it's one of my two favourites. Two large sand dollars fitted among the stems in the clear square vase make a work of art out of even that unlikely area. Jewel-like red beads threaded on the gracefully arched grasses around the flowers, one bead per stem, add whimsy and glamour. A bow of thick tulle-like burgundy ribbon holds the tulips upright and adds a finishing touch. The card, however, didn't have San's name on it, and overstated his feelings in unfortunate grammar: Already strucked (sic) by Cupid.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
A single rose says it all
A single long-stemmed red rose and three stems of gorgeous purple iris with dramatic yellow centres are at the heart of the appealing mixed arrangement from Mardi Gras Florist on Markham Rd. A tall stem of pink lilies, with one in flower and three fat buds, gives this bouquet a beautiful scent and a touch of height. Three long and lovely pink tulips, and two stems of pale lavender alstromeria add subtlety. White daisy-like mums, a tall spray of tiny rose-pink flowers, and some greens complete the nosegay, which arrived as cut flowers. The card accompanying the flowers had an ardent note that San found quite alarming. He hadn't mentioned the "L" word, and hadn't expected the florist to do it for him. I would have found the card a little over the top after a month of dating.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
A spectacular arrangement
The most lavish and spectacular flowers, with the simplest card, came from King West Flowers in downtown Toronto. An elegant and tasteful assortment of long-stemmed cut flowers, they need a very big vase to display them properly, and are one of my two personal favourite arrangements. Two fat and fragrant long-stemmed white roses are almost dwarfed by towering stalks of dark blue delphiniums, such a treat in February. A white iris and a pink gladiola are striking, and contrasted by deep purple rosebud-like lisianthus. Three tall stems filled with buds and enormous flowering lilies, two of pink and one of white, complete this stunning arrangement, which arrived with stems tied in raffia. The accompanying card plays it very safe, with three simple words open to lots of interpretation: Thinking of you.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
When spring comes early
The Flowers By Sears bouquet is like a walk on a spring morning. This one has charm. It's full of tasteful pastels, a compact arrangement with a hint of sweet freesia perfume. Seven handsome ivory gerbera daisies anchor the spray, and two stems of butter yellow freesias add grace and scent. Five pale shell-pink tulips and a deeper rosy pink one give warmth while a tall spiky stem of rich purple tiny-daisy-like montecasino lends a bit of height. A long arch of creamy limonium, also known as sea lavender, stretches out from the centre, with tiny sprays of off-white bud-like flowers. The arrangement arrived as cut flowers tied in a raffia bow, with a card that hit just the right note. It was thoughtful, without being too ardent.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
Roses are a safe bet
Roses and Valentine's Day — Rhea Flower and Gift Shop on Lake Shore Blvd. W. put them together and came up with a simple but sure-to-please arrangement. The wording of the card is exactly appropriate to the situation as they had it described to them, except that they got the sender's name wrong. Three white long-stemmed roses and three in the fitting shade of rose pink are surrounded by masses of baby's breath and a few tall spikes of greens. The roses arrived as cut flowers with their stems tied with a wide lavender satin bow. The colour scheme is tasteful and lovely. The concept is straightforward and suitable to the occasion. If it lacks a touch in imagination, it's a very safe arrangement to send. It's hard to go wrong with such beautiful roses.
=============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
A perfect riot of colour
The brightest flowers and the most courtly card came from the Toronto Florist Shop on Glen Cameron Rd. in Thornhill. The cut flower arrangement is a bit unfocused. But it's a perfect riot of colour with three stems of bright orange alstromeria set off by intense yellow daisy-like mums, a white carnation and three plump roses, one a shocking pink and the other two pale yellow. There are several mums of different colours, sizes and varieties, and a lot of baby's breath. Stems of greens help to make this arrangement a large one, and the whole simply explodes with vivid hues, shapes and textures. It's well suited to someone who looks for technicolour rather than subtlety in their floral arrangements. The card is evidently written with care and thoughtfulness. It wouldn't scare anyone off, and it might help win a heart.
==============================================
Flower power
Our mission: Find the best bouquet for $50, appropriate to a month-long relationship. San Grewal ordered the flowers; Janice Maw
SAN GREWAL
LIFE WRITER
For all you lost romantics caught in the early stages of a relationship with St. Valentine's Day looming, don't sweat over what type of flowers to send and how to pen the perfect phrase. The Star is here to help.
To make things easier for readers stuck in this delicate predicament, Janice Mawhinney and I staged a little ruse. Here's how it worked: I called six florists from around the GTA and told them I needed flowers delivered to my girlfriend Janice (although I adore her, we are just good friends who happen to sit six feet apart).
But there's a catch.
Each florist was told that Janice, whom I said I have been dating for one month, was going to be away, so flowers had to be delivered early, and because I am just slightly more suave than Homer Simpson when it comes to matters of the heart, their work didn't end there.
They were each given a budget of $50, which included tax and delivery. Each florist would have to decide what flowers to send and would have to come up with an appropriate note to go with them.
Here's how they fared.
===================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
Verdi tulips sing sweetly
Who would guess that 12 simple red tulips could be presented so artistically and magnificently? Verdi Florist on St. Clair Ave. W. sent the only flowers that arrived in a vase as a complete package. Very few people passed my desk without stopping to admire the Verdi tulips during the days that six arrangements sat there together. The flower materials themselves are likely the simplest and least expensive of all, but the presentation is the most creative, graceful and striking. Small in size and uncomplicated in colour scheme, it's one of my two favourites. Two large sand dollars fitted among the stems in the clear square vase make a work of art out of even that unlikely area. Jewel-like red beads threaded on the gracefully arched grasses around the flowers, one bead per stem, add whimsy and glamour. A bow of thick tulle-like burgundy ribbon holds the tulips upright and adds a finishing touch. The card, however, didn't have San's name on it, and overstated his feelings in unfortunate grammar: Already strucked (sic) by Cupid.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
A single rose says it all
A single long-stemmed red rose and three stems of gorgeous purple iris with dramatic yellow centres are at the heart of the appealing mixed arrangement from Mardi Gras Florist on Markham Rd. A tall stem of pink lilies, with one in flower and three fat buds, gives this bouquet a beautiful scent and a touch of height. Three long and lovely pink tulips, and two stems of pale lavender alstromeria add subtlety. White daisy-like mums, a tall spray of tiny rose-pink flowers, and some greens complete the nosegay, which arrived as cut flowers. The card accompanying the flowers had an ardent note that San found quite alarming. He hadn't mentioned the "L" word, and hadn't expected the florist to do it for him. I would have found the card a little over the top after a month of dating.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
A spectacular arrangement
The most lavish and spectacular flowers, with the simplest card, came from King West Flowers in downtown Toronto. An elegant and tasteful assortment of long-stemmed cut flowers, they need a very big vase to display them properly, and are one of my two personal favourite arrangements. Two fat and fragrant long-stemmed white roses are almost dwarfed by towering stalks of dark blue delphiniums, such a treat in February. A white iris and a pink gladiola are striking, and contrasted by deep purple rosebud-like lisianthus. Three tall stems filled with buds and enormous flowering lilies, two of pink and one of white, complete this stunning arrangement, which arrived with stems tied in raffia. The accompanying card plays it very safe, with three simple words open to lots of interpretation: Thinking of you.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
When spring comes early
The Flowers By Sears bouquet is like a walk on a spring morning. This one has charm. It's full of tasteful pastels, a compact arrangement with a hint of sweet freesia perfume. Seven handsome ivory gerbera daisies anchor the spray, and two stems of butter yellow freesias add grace and scent. Five pale shell-pink tulips and a deeper rosy pink one give warmth while a tall spiky stem of rich purple tiny-daisy-like montecasino lends a bit of height. A long arch of creamy limonium, also known as sea lavender, stretches out from the centre, with tiny sprays of off-white bud-like flowers. The arrangement arrived as cut flowers tied in a raffia bow, with a card that hit just the right note. It was thoughtful, without being too ardent.
==============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
Roses are a safe bet
Roses and Valentine's Day — Rhea Flower and Gift Shop on Lake Shore Blvd. W. put them together and came up with a simple but sure-to-please arrangement. The wording of the card is exactly appropriate to the situation as they had it described to them, except that they got the sender's name wrong. Three white long-stemmed roses and three in the fitting shade of rose pink are surrounded by masses of baby's breath and a few tall spikes of greens. The roses arrived as cut flowers with their stems tied with a wide lavender satin bow. The colour scheme is tasteful and lovely. The concept is straightforward and suitable to the occasion. If it lacks a touch in imagination, it's a very safe arrangement to send. It's hard to go wrong with such beautiful roses.
=============================================
Feb. 7, 2004. 01:00 AM
A perfect riot of colour
The brightest flowers and the most courtly card came from the Toronto Florist Shop on Glen Cameron Rd. in Thornhill. The cut flower arrangement is a bit unfocused. But it's a perfect riot of colour with three stems of bright orange alstromeria set off by intense yellow daisy-like mums, a white carnation and three plump roses, one a shocking pink and the other two pale yellow. There are several mums of different colours, sizes and varieties, and a lot of baby's breath. Stems of greens help to make this arrangement a large one, and the whole simply explodes with vivid hues, shapes and textures. It's well suited to someone who looks for technicolour rather than subtlety in their floral arrangements. The card is evidently written with care and thoughtfulness. It wouldn't scare anyone off, and it might help win a heart.
==============================================