how to choose flowers and please without breaking the bank?

Soon Valentine’s Day and its procession of bouquets. Flowers are perishable, says Jacques Brel’s song, but they are always pleasant. Also think about mimosas, anemones and ranunculus, suggests Fanny Guinochet.

In a few days, it’s Valentine’s Day. Wednesday February 14: big day announced for florists.

franceinfo: Giving flowers for Valentine’s Day remains a must to declare your love… But how much does it cost Fanny Guinochet?

Fanny Guinochet: The cheapest flowers are those found in the biggest supermarkets. Auchan, Franprix, G20, Monoprix who cut prices by playing on volumes. For example, you can find small bunches of tulips for less than €10, but they won’t necessarily be the most beautiful. And then you won’t be able to compose your bouquet. These are most often pre-established bouquets, with a fairly basic choice.

When we think of flowers, do we often think of large florist chains?

Yes, Monceau fleurs or Interflora, these are the historical ones, nespecially because they deliver, and they have a large network throughout France, and at this time of year, these houses attract customers by using promotional codes.

Interflora, for example, offers discounts for Valentine’s Day. It can be interesting, but again, these are often ready-made floral arrangements that you choose on the Internet. You don’t necessarily have control over your bouquet and it costs around €40 for the entry level.

But they won’t necessarily be seasonal flowers?

Therein lies the risk. Please note, for Valentine’s Day, more than half of the flowers offered are roses. And yet, it’s not the season at all. So in fact, they are imported from Kenya, the Netherlands; it’s average for the carbon footprint.

So a little idea rather than roses, think instead of anemones, ranunculus, or even mimosas which are more original flowers. And then, especially with the energy crisis, they are not much more expensive. So you can also check with your florist, near you, or the one in your market where you usually go. He will be able to compose a bouquet in front of you according to your means and the cost.

Is it difficult to find so-called fair trade flowers then?

Less and less, because channels are exploring this niche? Aquarelle, for example, is trying to sell more and more French productions because there is demand. Did you know that the horticulture sector had completely withered in France, and that there, it is starting again with a flower farm which opens every week in France?

So, networks seek to promote these 100% local, ethical flowers,like “Fleurs d’ici”, which is a distribution and delivery platform. And there too, for a bouquet, it’s not more expensive, since it’s around €40, without delivery.