Yes, we love when you give us flowers — especially in the winter months when none are blooming in the garden. Especially when the flowers say “I think you are so wonderful — and beautiful as this bud.” Especially when the blooms seem to say “These gifts from nature remind me of you — graceful and full of life (or bold and elegant, whatever adjectives fit)” …
To help you find the flowers that fit your sweetie, we turned to Shana Price, co-owner of Stems, a lovely little floral shop in the West Town neighborhood.
She gave us some suggestions for four different kinds of women and — no, we didn’t forget you — one fine gent. Her floral ideas came in two forms: one for folks who want to pick up flowers and put something together themselves (on a $40 budget), and one for those putting in an order with a local florist (budget starts at $75).
Oh, and did we mention: Feb. 14 is just around the corner …
— Elaine Matsushita
1. FOR MS. ELEGANT SWAN
From the DIY Guy: Graceful stems of 10 white French tulips in a tall, simple vase or delicately wrapped up in tissue paper and cellophane finished with 1-inch-wide double-faced white satin ribbon. No greenery or filler is necessary, but a few blades of lily grass would be an elegant finishing touch.
From the florist: A bouquet of 10 giant white calla lilies and blooming cherry blossom branches in a tall cylindrical glass vase.
2. FOR THE I-WANT-TO-DANCE-ALL-NIGHT GIRL
From the DIY Guy: Tuck a petite, fragrant bouquet of yellow jonquils into her favorite brandy glass.
From the florist: Try a vase of long-lasting mokara orchids in vibrant tones arranged in a glass vase lined with a tropical leaf. It will last even longer than it takes for her to recover from your all-night dance party, Price says.
3. FOR THE THOROUGHLY MODERN MISSY
From the DIY Guy: A small bundle of magenta gloriosa lilies wrapped up in cellophane are like a precious little gem.
From the florist: A simple yet extraordinary chartreuse cymbidium orchid stem accented with deep purple calla lilies, curly willow and a monstera leaf in a cool, sleek vase.
4. FOR THE MEET-ME-IN-THE-COUNTRY GIRL
From the DIY Guy: Wrap several stems of antique hydrangea in brown kraft paper and tie it up with raffia. When they pass their prime, the flowers can be hung upside down in a cool, dry location and will dry beautifully.
From the florist: A mixture of colorful tulips that appear to be “just picked” from the garden in a glass vase lined with a ti leaf.
5. FOR THE THEY-DON’T-MAKE-‘EM-BETTER BEAU
From the DIY Gal: Bring him a few stems of white Oriental lilies, wrapped in cellophane, tied with a piece of twine, and accompanied by a bottle of wine. Directions: Drink the wine first and then use the bottle as a vase for these fragrant blossoms.
From the florist: A vibrant assortment of tropical flowers — such as red ginger, pincushion protea and rush — and tropical foliage in deep, strong tones and with clean, simple lines.
