Exotic Flowers in Boston

Super Bowl Sunday is February 13th this year. I know who can focus on Valentine's Day when football season is still on?

Join us for fun and romance at Exotic Flowers, 609 American Legion Hwy in Roslindale on Super Sunday. The store will be open from 9 am to 3 pm.

Our 72" TV Screen will have football on all day. We will have pizza and chocolates for your enjoyment while you can purchase roses, gift baskets, teddy bears, and all things for your favorite Valentine.

Beat the rush this holiday and have some fun on Sunday. We'll see you this weekend.

In partnership with FOREVER ROSE NEW YORK, Exotic Flowers is excited to announce that these elegant gift boxes are in our Roslindale store.

Rose Forever creations are crafted by exceptional rose artisans, widely experienced in floral art designs. 

Every creation is the result of extensive research and attention to fine detail.

The preserved roses used at Rose Forever come from a well-cultivated rose field. Each rose is cared for until it reached its peak, and then carefully picked. From there, each rose is treated with a formula to help preserve them.

With proper care, our preserved roses will last a year or more.

Preserved roses are fresh real roses that have been through solutions composed of only natural oils and color pigmentation to give them their magnificent wide of colors.

The roses cannot be taken out of their environment. Each preserved rose are placed within the box carefully, removing the roses might damage the arrangement greatly.

If you belong as part of a happy couple, I hope you are all aware that this Wednesday is Valentine’s Day.  You know what that means, right?  It’s time to get ready to celebrate the holiday of love with that special someone and to make sure this year is a memorable one-you’ll need to get crackin’ on those plans!  Why is it important to stay on top of your V-Day game and not breeze on by it like it’s no big deal? Because the sentiment you leave behind on Valentine’s is quite often the lasting impression that follows you for the rest of the year.  If you’re really into your significant other, you don’t want to jinx the relationship, do you?  Of course not!  If you’re not sure how to navigate the tricky waters of romance, here are a few tips that will help you communicate to your girlfriend/boyfriend how much they mean to you.  Make sure you don’t procrastinate any longer and get ready to jump into the warmth and fuzziness of Valentine’s Day!

V-Day Check List:

Don’t assume she/he isn’t looking for any recognition as your special sweetheart.  Everyone wants to feel loved, especially on February 14th.  However simple your gesture may be, it’s an important one to make so if nothing else-gift a card that says, “I Love You”.  If you want to go the extra mile, hand make the card or write a poem.  These are guaranteed to become keepsakes for many years to come.

If they have a sweet tooth, candy makes a great present!  Pick up some hand dipped chocolate strawberries or try picking up a box of Dove, Ferrero Rocher or my favorite- Russell Stover who makes one of the best assorted chocolate mix truffles on the market.  You can even swing for a higher end variety such as GODIVA who also makes a rich and tasty treat!

While some give the thought of jewelry as a token of their love, you may be looking for something a little less expensive and a bit less intense for your relationship (although Valentine’s Day is an excellent time to get engaged).  As said above, handcrafted items are the best gift and you don’t have to be an artist to create them.  Easy-peasy ideas include making a collage of all the special things you feel about that person (include trips, experiences and photos of the two of you), cook a special meal that they love (read on if this sparks your interest) or better yet- make your own jewelry such as a beaded necklace or bracelet they can wear to always remind them of you!

Back to the food part I mentioned earlier…  Restaurants in Boston can get over booked fast and may not be in your budget this month.  If this is the case, then take a good look at a family cookbook where you can dig up a delicious dish just right for the occasion.  They’ll appreciate the effort and the time it took to make your Valentine’s Day special.

Last but certainly not least-don’t forget to order your FLOWERS!  A rose for your rose is a sure fire win every February 14th!

Another February is upon us and florists everywhere are hoping to make this year’s Valentine’s Day a memorable one for all the couples out there celebrating.  February 14th is the largest flower holiday in the industry so designers are working their tails off trying to come up with trendy bouquets and arrangements while still supplying the traditional favorites we annually look forward to.  Boston continues to be one of the leading cities for setting the floral pace around the country and 2018 looks to be yet another year where Boston experts won’t disappoint.  Whether you’re looking for an interesting centerpiece with a nouvelle style or hoping to purchase the good-old-reliable dozens of roses, florists will have you covered with a stunning array of Valentine’s Day flower picks.  Not sure yet what you want to gift your lovey this 14th?  Check out these popular assortments of multi-colored fleurs which are sure to appropriately express the sentiment in your heart.

Say it with PINK!

If you’re not ready yet to go all the way admitting you’ve fallen in love, there’s a second type of selection you might want to try.  Pink is a beautiful shade which not only gives a solid expression of “like” but also mixes well with many different hues of petals.  Pink is the perfect choice for a new interest in your life or for younger couples (perhaps in middle school/high school) who seek a more innocent gesture.  Pink Valentine’s Day flowers are also ideal to express friendships or thoughtfulness towards a family member (a son to a mother for example).  Pretty varieties grown in this shade appropriate for this style would be gerbera daisies, orchids and of course, the infamous rose.

Get Your Exotic On…

Knowing this look isn’t for everyone, I will not deny the segment out there searching for a floral design that expands outside traditional designing.   For some of us, a fresh and funky vibe is exactly what we need to let a special someone understand-we’re not the typical suitor.  If you think this might be you I’m talking about, keep reading… You don’t want to just hand over a bunch of pretty petals to the person who makes your heart beat, “THUMP, THUMP!”  Heck no!  You want to impress them with a piece that’s not your everyday ordinary arrangement.  In this case, try requesting designs with architectural significance such as branches or tall blooming varieties.  French tulips, cherry blossom, calla lilies and mokara orchids are excellent options as well as forsythia and amaryllis.

You’re Traditional and that’s the Way You Want to Keep It-

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to keep things the same way they have always been.  After all, where would we be without the long stem red rose or the perfect red ranunculus?  These are the staples and very basis for floral design on Valentine’s Day and there’s no law being broken with wanting to celebrate that.  Hold it to mind that if this is the way you want to go, wonderful red varieties to add or replace the red rose include anemones, gerberas, james story orchids and “red sox” calla lilies.  If you’re sticking to what works best, have a conversation with your florist about which red rose species they’ll be using.  The specific name can make all the difference in the world.  

Did you know there are over 100, 000 different varieties of roses?  Out of those, there’s another few thousand species of red, which are still the most popular color requested for Valentine’s Day floral deliveries. Now, you might think a rose is just a rose but some species have made a name for themselves based on their exotic beauty, durability and pristine formation.  Due to these impeccable characteristics, growers devise a list of the most spectacular burgundy, maroon, crimson, scarlet, and ruby shades to promote to wholesale and retail customers around the world.   While super stunners such as “Darcy”, “Chrysler Imperial”, “Eternity”, “Black Magic” and “Samourai” have remained some of the top favorites by florists, a new breed is taking the industry by storm and is expected to become a hot seller for the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday.

photo credit via Rosaprima

The Black Pearl Rose

The “Black Pearl” rose is becoming one of the hottest items this season and judging by its appearance, there’s little argument as to why.  The deep lush tone of blood red crimson is truly invoking, as is the flower’s velvet petals that promote a romantic effect when paired next to candlelight.  Being a relatively new variety, the Black Pearl is RosaprimaInc.’s premier pride amongst their other products and is referred to as the “crown jewel” of the rose world.  Sold exclusively by the rose grower, this stunner is cultivated in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador and shipped to designers who utilize the stems in prominent arrangements saved for their most exclusive clientele.

If you’re planning on celebrating with a special someone this February 14th, you’re going to have to do a little planning to make sure you have the essentials.  No matter what she says, she’ll be expecting something, some sort of hint that reveals how much you care so don’t blow it!  There’s no need to spend the entire contents of your wallet or try to pull a rabbit out of your hat to impress her if you strategize beforehand keeping in mind thoughtfulness and romance.  Focus on her individual qualities, likes/dislikes and personality and you should have a good feel of what your holiday gifting should be.  If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at this checklist to keep you on track and ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

1. Plan a special evening, whether it’s at her favorite restaurant or simply dining in at home.  If you are going to head out for the night, make sure to make your reservations well in advance (at least three weeks) because bistros, cafes and fine dining locations will all be frantic since it is the busiest day of the season for them.  

Top Five Boston Restaurants for Valentine’s Day:

a.) Mooo

b.) Sophia's Grotto

c.) Menton

d.) Delfino's

e.) Ruth's Chris

     If you’re planning on staying in, be sure to buy your ingredients a couple of days in advance to avoid running out of the essentials because yes- you’ll be the one who does all of the cooking!  Pick up a bottle of wine and select a menu that you know she’ll flip over.  If you really           want to romance her, DO THE DISHES!

1. Grab a card.  It’s the easiest and least expensive way to tell her you love her.   Hallmark isn’t just a multi-billion dollar company for nothing-they know their stuff!  Browse the stationary section of a CVS and read through the options to see whether a funny or lovey-dovey card is going to fit best for your relationship.  If you really want to get creative, find an old photograph of the two of you and glue it to a piece of construction paper folding it in half.  This is a sweet gesture of how your love has grown and will most likely remain in her keepsake box for years to come.
2. Don’t be a bozo- ORDER FLOWERS!  Gift with a box of chocolates and you’ve just made her holiday!  Unsure of what variety to pick up?  Here are some options but keep in mind her favorite blooms and preference of color.  Again, don’t wait to the last minute to order a bouquet since this is like Super Bowl Sunday for Boston florists!

1. Red Roses
2. White Lilies
3. Orchids
4. Black Pearl Roses
5. Mixed Floral Bouquet.

Most of us associate Valentine’s Day with cards and roses, gifting these treats to those who are or would like to be in relationships.  Teddy bears, chocolates and fuzzy romantic packages are exchanged on the 14th to signify couple’s love for one another as well as those who seek to find companionship.  The tradition started back in the Roman times and is still celebrated today becoming one of the largest retail holidays during the year, particularly for Boston florists.  

But what is the significance of February 14th in terms of historical importance?  You would be surprised to learn that there is a fascinating story, which is believed to be the real meaning behind Valentine’s Day (and that doesn’t include Cupid’s arrows or other mythical characters).  In fact, the ritual can be traced all the way back to 200 AD Rome when it was under the control of a brutal ruler named Claudius II.

Claudius II was a fierce emperor who believed that any romanticism, which encouraged his young and single soldiers, was only a distraction and curtailed the strength and brutality his army to become weakened.  So much so that he banned all future marriages for those who remained unwed and illegalized any other rites that could be seen as similar.  

For Priest Valentine who had performed all of the matrimonial ceremonies for several years, this became an outrage.  Ignoring Claudius’ orders, he performed these ceremonies in hiding until one day he was caught and arrested.  During his incarceration, he met the jailor’s daughter who was blind (he later healed her sight) and fell in love.  Soon afterwards, the jailer’s family secretly converted to Christianity but was unfortunately captured by the emperor’s soldiers after learning of their treason and they too were sentenced to death. Although the tale has no happy ending (both lovers were executed by clubbing and decapitation), Valentine left a note to the jailer’s daughter before his death reading, “From Your Valentine”.  Later, Valentine became a Saint and was idolized as the patron of this holiday.

Thousands of years later, we still recognize February 14th as a time to express our feelings of adoration for one another and utilize Priest Valentine’s gesture by presenting cards, roses and other sweets to our loved ones.  

Valentine’s Day flowers have usually been associated with the colors red and pink. There’s nothing wrong with this but wouldn’t it be nice if we could shake things up a bit?  Don’t get me wrong, a bouquet filled with these two tints, which signify love and sweetness are very pretty and complimentary to one another but it would be fun to add a pop of color every now and then?  Really, why limit our selves to red roses and pink tulips when there are so many stunning varieties to choose from that are equally beautiful.  Thankfully, Boston florists are recognizing a need to switch up a few of the customary blossoms this February and go for a fresh array of product that will hopefully please and excite their customers.  

One trend that is beginning to make headway is the replacement of rouge with lavender.  What’s pushing purple to be used more often than red?  There’s a good few reasons why… For one thing, orders that are created with traditional shades are twice as expensive as opting for a less seasonal color.  Purple roses can be significantly less expensive than a box of long stem red roses and in many cases will last longer, too.  A second reason why lavender is being seen more often in Valentine’s Day pieces is because the color is both sultry and sexy-two prominent themes we like to see in romantic arrangements.  The last reason is because there’s a lot more to choose from in this color giving patrons a broader spectrum to select from.  As found in other industries, it’s a simple case of supply and demand.  There’s less availability of an item when the need suddenly spikes causing the price to increase.

So if your starting to change your mind about red versus purple flowers this holiday, you’ll be happy to know that designers are already lining up their carts with stunning flavors other than roses. Holding the desirable pigmentation, all are available through your local florist this Valentine’s Day so be sure to say it with flowers and say, “I Love You”.  

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it and you don’t want to greet your sweetheart empty handed like you did last year.  As some of us may be forgetful about the holiday that occurs every February 14th, it’s helpful to have a reminder along with some quick gift suggestions.  Depending on whom you are planning to woo, Valentine’s Day presents should be suitable for their personality and character.   Gifts can be separated into all sorts of categories but for this purpose we’ll use the top five themes with the top five gifts to keep things simple; traditional, romantic, funny, cost efficient and of course- sexy.  Within each one of these segments, you’re bound to find the perfect something for your girlfriend that is just right for her! Try out these items that are sure to leave her bubbled over with love this holiday…

Traditional

1. Box of Chocolate
2. A Dozen Red Roses
3. A Bottle of Wine
4. Perfume  
5.  Jewelry

Romantic

1. Scented Candles
2. Her Favorite Romantic Comedy on DVD
3. Dinner at her Favorite Restaurant
4. A Weekend Getaway
5. “Why I Love You” Diary/Journal

Funny

1. “Your Side My Side” Pillowcases
2. Fuzzy Bedroom Slippers
3. A Chocolate Game Controller
4. Mug That Says “I Love You More Than Coffee”
5. Condoms

Cost Efficient (Cheap)

1. A Single Red Rose
2. “Reasons Why I Love You” Message in a Bottle
3. A Teddy Bear
4. Handmade Coupon Book with Favors for your Sweetheart
5. Her Favorite Lipstick

l

Sexy

1. Lingerie
2. Kama Sutra Book
3.  Silk Robe/Pajamas
4. Bath and Body Gift Set
5. Feed her a Favorite Meal Blindfolded

It’s Valentine’s Day and you need to come up with a bundle of gorgeous roses asap but aren’t sure what to get.  If you’re like most guys, a dozen red will do but I’ll have you know that you may not want to choose the color so quickly without a little research first.  Did you know that a pink tinted flower could send an entirely different message than perhaps roses in the shade of purple?  Or how about white petals instead of yellow?  It’s true that each color option reveals an individual theme so it’s important to select the one that correctly portrays your feelings.  You might think its ridiculous that any woman would ever fall for an impression based solely on the color of a rose but I assure you, it has happened before.  Would you want to imply marriage to a girl that you simply wanted to recognize as a good friend?  How about giving the intention of affection when you really wanted to send your condolences?  I’m telling you, this is a crucial step in choosing the proper Valentine’s Day roses for your sweetheart.  Here is an easy to follow guide that outlines the shade and meaning of each variety of rose available to you this holiday.

                 Color                                                       Meaning

           White Rose                                Innocence; I'm worthy of you.

        Burgundy Rose                                      Unconscious Beauty: Beauty Within

        Lavender Rose                                           Affection; Enchantment

           Green Rose                                         Envy; Infatuation

            Light Pink                                    Grace; Friendship; Joy

              Yellow                                             Joy; Friendship; Let Us Forget

            Magenta                                 Encouragement; Message of Love

          Dark Pink                                               Thankfulness

            Orange                                               Variety; Creativity; Fascination

             Peach                                                Desire; Gratitude; Appreciation

              Red                                      Love; Passion; Respect; I Love You.

            Purple                                               Reward of Virtue; Worthy of Royalty

              Blue                                                          Mystery

          Rainbow                                                  Party Time

Now that you’ve perused the list and probably found the appropriate shade matching your intention for this holiday, it’s time to pick up that phone and order your Valentine’s Day flowers today!  Don’t forget to mention to the sales representative the specifics of your order and request that no substitutions be made just in case there is a diminished supply of your selection.  If this should occur, never underestimate the power of a pretty mixed bouquet and a great bottle of wine!

 Patriots Fan Suzie Canale at her Westwood home.

Suzie loves garden roses.