The Flower Blog

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we are working tirelessly to ensure that our shop is filled with stunning arrangements and delightful bouquets for you to choose from! Amongst all the beautiful flowers, the rose reigns supreme as the most popular choice. Revered as the favorite flower of Venus, the goddess of Love, roses are currently in high demand all over the world. However, this surge in popularity raises the question - why are roses so expensive during this time of year? It's a fascinating inquiry, and we have the answer ready for you!

Click the video to uncover the behind-the-scenes secrets of product pricing and how it impacts both our business and our valued customers.

One of the main factors contributing to the expensive price of roses during Valentine's Day is the lengthy growing period. It takes a full sixty days for a rose bush to produce a mature rose. To meet the high demand on Valentine's Day, growers have to make a difficult decision during the month of December - they cut back production of their current crop of roses by harvesting them early. This means that they have to discard a potential good crop in order to make room for the roses needed on Valentine's Day. It's a risky move, especially considering the unpredictable nature of inclement weather.

Furthermore, growers face limitations due to the perishable nature of roses and the limited space they have available. They cannot stockpile roses because they would quickly wilt and become unsellable. Additionally, the added expense of heating during the winter and shortened daylight hours further contributes to the higher price of roses.

The grower ultimately sets the price for the roses, which is higher due to the dumping of the crops in December. This additional cost is then passed through each market level - from the grower, to the wholesaler, to the florist, and finally to the customer.

Another factor impacting the cost of roses is transportation. Most roses are imported from countries like Ecuador, Colombia, and across the country in California. As the demand for roses increases, so does the need for cargo space. This leads to more vehicles on the road and in the air to transport the popular flower. The expenses continue to add up - from cutting back crops to accommodate Valentine's Day demand, to adding more vehicles, and spending more money on gas.

It's not just Valentine's Day that sees a high demand for roses in the new year. Events like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and the Tournament of Roses parade require a staggering amount of roses. The average float in the Rose Parade uses approximately 160,000 flowers, highlighting the immense popularity of roses.

Now that you understand the factors behind the high price of roses, you may be wondering if it's worth buying them this year. At Gillespie's, we understand the cost concerns and offer a variety of alternatives to roses. Stargazer lilies, gerbera daisies, carnations, alstroemeria lilies, hydrangea - the options are endless! Our design staff has created stunning bouquets for Valentine's Day that are sure to thrill your loved one, with or without roses.

 Click below to see our specials for Valentine's Day this year!