7 Questions to Ask a Florist Before Buying a Bouquet

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A florist is your best ally in a flower shop, but only if you know what to ask. Seven simple questions help you get a fresh bouquet that suits the person, stay on budget and avoid paying for unnecessary wrapping. Save this list on your phone: it takes a minute and makes an instant difference. You can start small — see how to give flowers for no reason.

More on this topic: a man’s guide to flowers, a floristry glossary for men, how to check bouquet freshness.

Questions 1–2: who it is for and the budget

• 1. ‘I need a bouquet for… because…’. Say who it is (mum, wife, colleague), their age and the occasion. The florist will rule out unsuitable options such as bright yellow for a funeral or overly romantic roses for a colleague. Tips on who gets what: bouquets for mum, wife and colleagues.
• 2. ‘What can you do for … UAH?’. Name your budget straight away: it is not embarrassing and saves time. A good florist can make something lovely at any price. Price guides in a bouquet for any budget.

Questions 3–4: freshness and vase life

• 3. ‘What is freshest today?’. The florist knows when the last delivery arrived. Seasonal flowers are fresher and often cheaper than imports.
• 4. ‘How long will this last?’. Chrysanthemums, alstroemerias and carnations last up to two weeks, roses about a week, tulips and peonies 5–7 days. If you are giving it tomorrow, ask for flowers in bud. How to check freshness yourself: 7 signs of a fresh bouquet.

Questions 5–6: colour, wrapping and care

• 5. ‘Which colours do you suggest, and can the wrapping be simpler?’. Mention their favourite colour if you know it. Layered wrapping can cost as much as a few stems, so feel free to ask for kraft paper or just a ribbon.
• 6. ‘How should this be cared for?’. Ask for a sachet of flower food and short instructions to hand over with the flowers. Unfamiliar florist terms are explained in a floristry glossary for men.

Question 7: card and delivery

• 7. ‘Can you add a card and deliver it?’. A short handwritten card makes a bouquet personal. See what to write on a flower card.
• Delivery helps when you are at work or in another city: ask about the price and timing. Kyiv details in how much flower delivery in Kyiv costs.

What not to do in a flower shop

• Do not grab the first ready-made bouquet from the display without looking closely: check stems, leaves and petals.
• Do not be shy about saying you do not like something and asking to swap a stem or two; florists do this all the time.
• Mind the number: in Ukraine small bouquets for the living have an odd number of stems. Why: how many flowers to give. The full guide: a man’s guide to flowers.

What to ask after buying

Once the bouquet is ready, ask a few more questions: should the flowers be unwrapped right away, is there an aqua box, how long can the bouquet stay out of water and what to add to the water. Find out which flowers are the most delicate — they’ll need removing first. If you’re buying in advance, ask where to keep the bouquet until you give it: usually a cool, draught-free spot away from fruit.

Bouquets that are easy to order online

Rather not go to a shop? Choose a bouquet online and our florist will contact you if anything needs checking. We deliver across Kyiv and Ukraine and add a card.

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See flowers for women and red roses.

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FAQ

Is it OK to tell the florist my budget?

Yes, it is the best way to get a lovely bouquet without overpaying. Florists work with any amount.

How do I know a bouquet is fresh?

Stems are firm and green, leaves are not yellowing, petals are tight and the bucket water is clean. Ask for flowers delivered today.

What if I need the bouquet tomorrow?

Ask for flowers in bud and keep the bouquet in water somewhere cool.

Can I ask for simpler wrapping?

Yes. Kraft paper or a ribbon is cheaper and often looks more stylish than layers of film.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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