Best Florists 2022
York Flowers, Inc.
York Flowers is a family-owned and operated florist in business since 1942. York's experienced designers work with customers to create beautiful and personalized flower arrangements for a variety of occasions and settings. York Flowers offers flowers imported from Holland, tropical and exotic flowers, tropical green plants, blooming plants, dish gardens, custom fruit and gourmet baskets, wreaths, mylar balloons, stuffed animals, boutonnieres, corsages and more. Delivery is available to Washington D.C., Suburban Maryland, Northern Virginia, Annapolis, Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties.
Bergerons
The owner of Bergerons has over 25 years of experience in the floral business and today focuses on providing flowers for weddings and special events in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. The designers consult with their customers to ensure the right look for each event, be it social or corporate. A wedding flower cost calculator is available on the Bergerons website to make estimating costs straight-forward. Sympathy and everyday arrangements are also available, and Bergerons is happy to work with businesses to keep their offices filled with beautiful floral arrangements. For those interested in flower arranging and design, Bergerons offers workshops as well.
Allan Woods Flowers
Allan Woods Flowers has over 35 years of experience as a high-end florist in Washington's Woodley Park area. Allan Woods Flowers' designers work with a wide range of clients to create luxurious arrangements with a natural aesthetic from high-quality flowers sourced both locally and internationally. Gift options include bouquets, baskets, plants, orchids, and more. Allan Woods Flowers' wedding specialists work with each couple to design flowers that perfectly complement the venue and vision. In addition to weddings, designers also create floral arrangements for events as diverse as a birthday party or a black tie gala. High-quality and discreet corporate flower deliveries are also available.
Flowers on 14th
Flowers on 14th is a Washington florist offering flower arrangements, gift baskets, and potted plants with delivery in the Washington area. Gift baskets include fruit, candy, and gourmet options. Flower arrangements include designs for a variety of occasions. Flowers on 14th is happy to work with couples to create their wedding flower arrangements.
Lee's Flower and Card Shop
Lee's Flower and Card Shop was established in 1945 and is still family-owned and operated today, serving the Washington DC area. Lee's Flower Shop offers a variety of gifts and flower arrangements to celebrate, offer sympathy, and show appreciation for loved ones. Its florists can also work with customers to create bouquets and flower arrangements for a wedding or other event. Same day delivery is available for orders made before 1:00 p.m. and Lee's helps customers fulfill cross-country and even international flower delivery orders.
Surroundings Flowers and Events
Surroundings Flowers and Events is a Washington floral design company with many years of experience creating beautiful designs. Surroundings will create beautiful floral designs for events ranging in size from intimate gatherings to galas with guests numbering in the thousands. Surroundings will also work with couples to create the perfect wedding flowers. Businesses can rely on Surroundings for seasonal decor and regularly scheduled deliveries of flowers for lobbies and office spaces.
John Sharper Inc. Florist
John Sharper Florist is a family owned and operated business dating back to the early 1900’s and serving the entire Washington metro area. In addition to bouquets and other flower arrangements for celebrating occasions, John Sharper Florist offers many gift options. These include gift baskets, stuffed animals, balloons, candies, cards, plants, dish gardens, dried floral arrangements, and silk flowers. John Sharper Florist will also create personalized flower arrangements for weddings, funerals, and other events.
Bethesda Florist
Bethesda Florist has over 50 years of experience creating beautiful floral arrangements for the Washington metro area. Its large inventory of fresh flowers includes tropicals, and florists can transform any of them into contemporary or traditional arrangements. Dried floral arrangements are also available, as well as plants, dish gardens, and gourmet, fruit, and gift baskets. Bethesda offers same-day delivery for all orders received before noon, to anywhere in the United States. Bethesda Florist works with couples to design wedding bouquets, arrangements, and cake decorations for any budget.
Palace Florists
Palace Florists is a third-generation, family owned and operated floral shop serving the Washington DC area from Rockville since 1943. The team of florists can create arrangements for any occasion, as well as baskets containing plants such as succulents, fruit, or even gourmet foods. For wedding customers, Palace Florists provides a consultant to work with the couple throughout the process, supporting any size or style wedding. Floral workshops are available for community members who want to learn more about flower arranging. Businesses can rent plants or schedule floral delivery services for offices and events.
Johnnie's Florist Inc.
Johnnie's Florist has over 20 years of experience serving the Washington area. Johnnie's Florist offers a range of floral arrangements and gifts including potted plants and baskets. The florists and designers can create arrangements for many occasions and events including bouquets, wreaths; and corsages, boutonnieres, and hairpieces for prom. Designers work with customers to create bouquets, flower arrangements and on-site decorating for weddings, parties, funerals, and corporate events. Delivery is available locally, as well as worldwide.
The Enchanted Florist
The Enchanted Florist is an Alexandria florist with more than 25 years experience serving the Washington metro area. Enchanted Florist designers work with each client to create the perfect design and have longstanding relationships with many venues, allowing them to use the space effectively in their floral designs. The Enchanted Florist handles weddings, parties, everyday floral arrangements, and gifts and is happy to work with businesses to provide floral arrangements on a contract basis.
Helen Olivia Flowers
Helen Olivia Flowers is a high-end retail florist with over ten years serving the Washington metro area from its Alexandria shop. Helen Olivia flower arrangements have a distinctive style and use the fresh, high-quality flowers. Delivery is available to Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, Falls Church, Great Falls, McLean, Potomac, and Washington, DC. Helen Olivia's wedding team works with couples to design the perfect flowers for their wedding and budget. Floral design workshops are also available for budding flower enthusiasts.
Convention Floral
Convention Floral is a family-owned florist in business since 2007. Convention Floral's head florist comes from a background of hotel and event floral arrangement and brings that experience to this independent business. All flowers are ordered directly from local suppliers as soon as customers place their order so that flowers are at their freshest. Customers planning a wedding will begin the process with a complimentary consultation to ensure the perfect flowers and design. In addition to event flowers, Convention Floral offers a range of bouquets, wreaths, boutonnieres, corsages, sympathy flowers, gift baskets, plants, and more.
Bloom Fresh Flowers
Bloom Fresh Flowers is an artisan florist, offering high-end floral designs to hotels, businesses, and private homes in Alexandria and the Washington DC Metro area. Bloom Fresh Flowers' creative designs have won awards and been featured in local and national publications. The florist creates flower arrangements for weddings, corporate events, and private parties, in addition to offering beautiful bouquets for gifts, sympathy flowers, and to decorate the home.
Crystals Flowers and Gift Shop
Crystals Flowers is a Washington area floral and gift shop offering flower arrangements for all occasions. Crystals Flowers has a variety of floral arrangements, gift baskets, greeting cards, plants, silk and dried flower arrangements, and more for expressing sympathy or celebrating loved ones. Crystal Flowers also provides floral arrangements for weddings and funerals.
McCallum Sauber Wholesale Florist Inc.
McCallum Sauber Wholesale Florist was first founded in 1929 and continues to grow and serve the Washington area today. McCallum Sauber Wholesale Florist offers floral arrangements as well as individual and bulk flower orders from farms in South America, Florida, New Jersey, California, and the Netherlands. They stand behind their flowers with a 100% money back guarantee.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- Introduction
- What is a florist?
- What does a florist do?
- What is floral design?
- What do floral designers do?
- How do florists keep flowers fresh?
- How can I make flower arrangements last longer?
- What flowers do florists use?
- Where do florists get their flowers?
- Does a florist have to tell you who sent flowers?
- How much is a florist for a wedding?
- Do you tip a florist?
- What should I write on a sympathy flower arrangement?
- How do I become a florist?
- Do you need a license to be a florist?
- How do I get into floral design?
- How do I become a floral designer?
- How much do floral designers make?
- How much do florists make?
- Q: Introduction
- A: Hiring a florist can be the extra touch you need for a special event, such as a celebration, wedding, or corporate event. However, most people don’t have experience hiring a professional florist, so knowing where to start can seem overwhelming. We answer some of the most common questions to help you make an informed decision.
- Q: What is a florist?
- A: A florist is a person who works with flowers and plants, providing floral design services, creating floral arrangements, and selling flowers. Floral arrangements and design services can range from creating small bouquets, wreaths, and centerpieces to crafting large floral display walls.
- Q: What does a florist do?
- A: A florist sells floral arrangements or floral design services to individual consumers and businesses. The florist can work with the customer to understand their floral vision (specific flowers, colors, etc.) and execute on the request. Additionally, florists often work in flower and plant shops, where they care for the flowers and arrange bouquets to sell.
- Q: What is floral design?
- A: Floral design is the process of using certain flowers and plants to create a unified and aesthetically pleasing display. Floral design will take into consideration how the colors and scents all work together. Additionally, floral design looks to achieve a balanced final result, so a single plant or flower doesn’t dominate.
- Q: What do floral designers do?
- A: Typically, floral designer is another term for a florist. However, many professionals who brand themselves as “floral designers” versus “florists” do so because they’re exceptionally skilled at arranging floral bouquets and displays. A floral designer works with flowers and plants, including silk or dried varieties.
- Q: How do florists keep flowers fresh?
- A: Florists have “tricks of the trade” to keep flowers fresh as long as possible. One of the most important is storing flowers at appropriate temperatures. Some may need direct sunlight and warmth, while others require cool temperatures and indirect light. A florist knows how to store different types of flowers to maximize their longevity.
- Q: How can I make flower arrangements last longer?
- A: To help flower arrangements last as long as possible:
- Use the floral “food” packet
- Trim flower stems before placing them in water
- Remove extra foliage and dying parts of the flowers
- Change the water every two days
- Keep floral arrangements in a shaded, cool spot in indirect sunlight
- Q: What flowers do florists use?
- A: Florists tend to work with the types of flowers that last longest in arrangements. The most popular, long-lasting flowers include:
- Peruvian lily
- Bird of paradise
- Carnation
- Chinese lantern
- Delphinium
- Gladiolus
- Heather
- English lavender
- Lilies (Lilium spp. and hybrids)
- Love-in-a-mist
- Love-lies-bleeding
- Roses
- Sunflowers
- Q: Where do florists get their flowers?
- A: Most florists buy their flowers from wholesalers. As florists tend to purchase flowers in larger quantities than the everyday consumer, they can work with a wholesaler to get discounted prices. Some florists may also have connections with farmers or gardeners in their area who sell local, seasonal flowers.
- Q: Does a florist have to tell you who sent flowers?
- A: Individuals can send anonymous bouquets, but if the recipient asks who sent the flowers, the florist may have to share the information. This is due to the recent rise of stalking incidents. Some florists may ask to see a police report, but most will share the sender’s name when asked.
- Q: How much is a florist for a wedding?
- A: According to The Knot, the average cost of a florist for a wedding was $2,000 in 2019. Of course, this figure can vary significantly based on several factors. Your wedding’s location, the number of flowers, and specific requests can all raise the price.
- Q: Do you tip a florist?
- A: Most florists don’t expect a tip. Instead, a helpful, nice gesture is leaving a positive review online or recommending the florist to friends and family members. If your florist does an exceptional job and you do want to tip, the standard amount is 10-15%.
- Q: What should I write on a sympathy flower arrangement?
- A: Writing a card for a sympathy flower arrangement can be challenging. The content usually depends on your relationship and the situation. If you need some inspiration, you can always find helpful examples online. Your florist has probably seen many of these cards, so you could also ask for their advice.
- Q: How do I become a florist?
- A: A diploma isn’t necessary to become a florist, but classes in art, biology, botany, and design may be useful. Additionally, if you plan to open up your own floral shop or business, taking business classes can help. Individuals can take online courses or study under another florist to get some experience in the field.
- Q: Do you need a license to be a florist?
- A: You don't need a license to be a florist. However, if you plan to run your own floral business and offer deliveries, you may need a commercial driver's license if it's mandatory in your state. If you don’t want to get a commercial license, you can outsource your deliveries.
- Q: How do I get into floral design?
- A: You can get into floral design by doing some research on the topic. You can also read books about flowers and floral design concepts. Once you have a basic foundation of knowledge, try experimenting by designing your own bouquets. Eventually, you’ll learn if floral design is right for you.
- Q: How do I become a floral designer?
- A: Floral designers need a moderate amount of on-the-job training. As this isn’t something you go to school for, the skills are acquired through training and experience. People who want to be floral designers can work under an experienced florist to learn the craft.
- Q: How much do floral designers make?
- A: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 median pay for a florist was $29,140 or $14.01 per hour. Of course, this can vary significantly depending on your location. Additionally, your total annual salary will also depend on your experience, portfolio, and hours worked.
- Q: How much do florists make?
- A: As mentioned before, florists and floral designers are interchangeable job titles. In the United States, the hourly wage for a florist can range from $9.09 to $18.60, with an average of $13.07 per hour. A florist who doesn't offer floral design services is more likely to be closer to the bottom of the range.