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April 8, 2009
Buying cut flowers in Brooklyn
On Saturday evening before some people came over, I decided to beautify my place with some flowers. I went to a place (forgot the name) on Fulton Street corner of Layfayette. I bought cut hydrangea, hyacinth, aenomes, and some eucalyptus (the kind with dye). On Sunday morning, the hydrangea went from wilted and sad looking to truly dead. The hyacinth smelled great, but I didn't notice that they also were in critical condition. I had to cut them really short since the gummy stems couldn't hold the flowers up. The aenomes are OK and the eucalyptus, well, you can't kill those things with a stick. Anyhow, none of these flowers were cheap. After I bought them, I winced, thinking that I can't be doing this much.
My question is where do Brownstoners buy cut flowers that have more than a few hours of life. I would like to buy flowers that can last a while and not get ripped off like I allowed myself to be this past weekend.
I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks as always.
Comments
I've had the same experience with cut flowers, and have decided to change over to live, potted plants...orchids...gardenia's, azaleas...whatever is in season.
You can get a $20 orchid which is in bloom for up to 6 months and looks gorgeous. Sit that in the middle of a table and it looks even better than cut flowers, in my opinion.
I've basically stopped buying cut flowers because of the very reasons you mention...
Posted by: 11217 at April 8, 2009 1:28 PM
11217 is right on the orchids...they last months and then you just replace them. Nicer looking than most cut flowers as well.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 8, 2009 1:37 PM
I've always found that hydrangea wilts alarmingly fast, even the stuff I cut from my plant. Try buying another types of flowers. I've had good luck with orchids and alstromerias, those spice-colored, flowers that come in pretty big bunches. Carnations and mums last pretty long but I don't really like them. Say no to Gerberra daisies or anything else that comes with a plastic straw around the stem.
Posted by: Bessie at April 8, 2009 1:39 PM
For me, Casablanca Lilies last for at least a week and a half.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at April 8, 2009 1:41 PM
I'm not sure i want to know why, but I once bought a huge flower arrangement at Trader Joe's on Court Street and they lasted for over 2 weeks!
Posted by: WTbound at April 8, 2009 2:03 PM
Stick to daisys, and carnations - they last. Some lilys will too.
There are still a few flower markets left in 27th & 28th street between 6th and 7th ave in manhattan - good deals for bulk - Lilac is my favorite there (and almost the season).
Posted by: SenatorStreet at April 8, 2009 2:09 PM
to keep hydrangea going for more than 12 hours, you have to smash the stem when you get them home. take a hammer or something heavy and smash the stem. they need that much water. next day, cut and repeat. keep in fridge overnight helps too. it's not the flower shop. you're not getting ripped off per se. it's just you need to know how to keep them going.
Posted by: Ringo at April 8, 2009 2:29 PM
Thanks Ringo. I might decide to forget the whole thing and just smash myself with the hammer. It's cheaper and I lose interest in the flowers.
SenatorStreet, I bought some great stuff over there during the holidays. I got curvy willow, holly and stuff like that to put in urns. When I have time, I may head over there.
The idea about buying potted flowers and orchids sounds good too. I'll try that too. Thanks Brownstoners.
Posted by: donatella at April 8, 2009 3:18 PM
I occasionally buy a dozen roses at Union Market ($12). They smell and look great and last for about 10 days. You do have to cut them right, though--on an angle and then use a knife to shave off the outer coating on the bottom 1.5" or so of the stem (so they can absorb even more water). And re cut every 3 days. As much as I love hydrangea, I don't buy them because of the instant wilt. Tuplips always go fast too.
Posted by: fawn at April 8, 2009 3:50 PM
strange - I buy hydrangea frequently from the Key Food on 7th avenue and Carroll in Park Slope
I cut the stem on an angle and remove the green leaves - they last full and plush for about 4 days
Posted by: gemini10 at April 8, 2009 4:19 PM
The corner bodega in Park Slope on 7th (about a block from 321) has a nice selection and they clearly pick them up directly from the flower markets so its as fresh as you can ask for a bodega.
You'll never get the same quality of flower from a bodega as you will from a florist. But who can afford to buy house flowers from a florist with their prices?
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at April 8, 2009 4:20 PM
Try The Forest Floor on Vanderbilt Ave in Prospect Heights...small-ish selection, but I bought some flowers there last week and they're still alive and kicking.
Posted by: collin85 at April 8, 2009 4:41 PM
Maybe out of the way...and definitely expensive...but very fresh and not your average assortment:
Grdn
103 Hoyt St (Atlantic/Pacific)
www.grdnbklyn.com
Posted by: kelly at April 8, 2009 6:13 PM
The farmers market at Prospect Park on Saturdays has cut flowers that are in season and really beautiful. They usually last about a week for me. You can also buy potted plants as well.
Posted by: Schultz at April 8, 2009 8:34 PM
I like blooms on 5th ave the owner is always there and hand picks my flowers for me great guy and business man...
Blooms on Fifth 431 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY - (718) 768-4441
Posted by: Shimmi at April 9, 2009 3:16 PM
Opalia on Atlantic is the best flower shop in Brooklyn. Expensive, but extremely well-curated, and worth it for special occasions. For more everyday flowers I go to the Union Square greenmarket on Saturdays and buy from Jack's. His flowers are beautiful, local, long-lasting, and incredibly cheap. Last week I got a huge arrangement of cherry blossoms for $10, and they're just now hitting their peak.
Posted by: president clinton at April 9, 2009 3:49 PM
I am a fresh flower lover - I stock up on Saturday's at Trader Joes (Alstroemeria's last two weeks, and Tulips last one week) I also go to the green market at Borough Hall. If all else fails go into Manhattan Flower district on 28th btw 7/8 - Good Luck!
Posted by: NYC Shopper at April 9, 2009 4:40 PM
This is great. President Clinton, is Jack's a stand within the Union Square market? Or is it a separate shop? If so, where is it? I really want to buy some of those cherry blossom branches. Thanks. These are great recommendations. I appreciate it brownstoners.
Posted by: donatella at April 9, 2009 6:10 PM
Sprout on Grand Street near Kent in Williamsburg is great!
Posted by: lan at April 9, 2009 11:33 PM
I think Root, Stock & Quade on Myrtle are great. They have a really sophisticated selection. The owners are both great at arranging flowers, too. Only problem is there's one girl there with long brown hair who is *awful* at arranging flowers. She doesn't seem like she particularly cares about it and just grabs stuff and shoves it all together. If she's there, I'd wait 'til someone else can help you.
Posted by: Luce at April 10, 2009 8:54 AM
Creative Blossom on Lewis Ave at Macon has a beautiful, though small, selection. The prices are on par with Whole Foods but the flowers last much, much longer.
Posted by: bct at April 10, 2009 7:35 PM
I love the roses at Zuzu's Petals, but had to give up the habit many months ago because of cost. I was surprised to find that the local flower shop, the type with a neon sign and garish carnation displays, carries lovely, affordable, and long-lived flowers: roses, lilies, delphinium, alstromeria, etc.
The place I go is on 5th Avenue around 14th street, but it's the type of place you would find in most not-quite-gentrified neighborhoods. I recommend walking in to places that may seem unassuming, try them out, and you might find a consistent local source that could even order some things for you.
FWIW, I had only rotten experienced with Root Stock and Quade back when they were on 7th Avenue. My husband sent me flowers in the summer and, when the flowers died within 24 hours, I asked for replacements and the *supervisor* blamed my husband for selecting a particular flower that doesn't do well in the heat! Never again....
Posted by: South Sloper at April 10, 2009 10:53 PM
NYC is blessed with great flower shops. Luckily, in Brooklyn, we have talented designers who make beautiful arrangements of fresh seasonal flowers. I have ordered from them all and think that Opalia Flowers, on Atlantic Ave, has the freshest flowers and the nicest employees. Therefore, it is where I always go.
Posted by: carzy331 at April 11, 2009 12:42 PM
NYC is blessed with great flower shops. Luckily, in Brooklyn, we have talented designers who make beautiful arrangements of fresh seasonal flowers. I have ordered from them all and think that Opalia Flowers, on Atlantic Ave, has the freshest flowers and the nicest employees. Therefore, it is where I always go.
Posted by: carzy331 at April 11, 2009 12:43 PM
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