We’ve all done it at one point or another. Done what? Been at the grocery store and looked at the flowers in the flower department thinking they would make a fine last-minute gift for the party or birthday or other occasion. They are inexpensive, convenient and no one can tell the difference between supermarket flowers and fresh arrangements from the local florist, right? Wrong. There is considerable difference between the flowers at the supermarket and your local florist and it’s important to know what the difference is and make a decision based on that information, not on convenience.

Your local florist is different from your local supermarket’s floral department. For florists, flowers are their only business, not a small part of it. Florists also are much more informed about the flowers and plants they sell, how to care for them and flower design. Below are five other reasons you may want to forgo the supermarket flowers and check out your local florist instead.

1. Freshness – Florists are committed to the “products” they offer and work tirelessly to provide their customers with the freshest, healthiest flowers available.
2. Licensing – Florists go through a licensing process to ensure they understand flowers and plants and floral design. This also means they are monitored by the licensing organizations for additional quality control.
3. Skill – Florists can create beautiful arrangements that are more an art form than floral designs. Supermarkets generally create simple designs or just sell loose flowers to keep costs to a minimum.
4. Locally-grown flowers – Florists work more with local flower farmers than supermarkets. This tends to be a more expensive way to do business but it helps ensure the flowers they offer are healthier and fresher.
5. Variety – Florists can find just about any flower a customer wants any time of the year. While it’s sometimes more expensive to do this, it means the customer gets exactly what they want. Supermarkets can only offer flowers that are most abundant and in season for cost management.

Supermarkets can be wonderful places to find just about anything but one must assume that if a business has multiple departments, businesses and services, that there will be little specialization or deep knowledge. Florists are trained professionals who have spent years working to perfect their craft and understand the complexities of the floral industry. It’s true that you get what you pay for and this is true for flowers as well. So, the next time you want to surprise someone with a fresh bouquet or fun arrangement, check out a florist and find the perfect gift.

What to do next? Buy your flowers from our Toronto Flower Shop.