Flower power

COEUR d’ALENE — If number of bouquets procured for Feb. 14 indicates amour, there's no need to pluck the purchased petals and ask who "loves me not."

Floral sales account for about 30% of all Valentine's Day transactions, according to the website About Flowers. An estimated 250 million roses are produced annually for Valentine’s Day in the United States.

Marissa Cooper isn't about to argue. Cooper, with Sunflower Cottage & Village Decor at 842 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene, didn’t have even a moment to spare Monday morning.

“We’re slammed beyond recognition right now,” she said.

Though the shop has been seeing some supply chain issues, they planned ahead. Sunflower Cottage was able to acquire everything needed to successfully deliver to all of their Valentine’s Day clients.

“The day went stellar,” floral designer and owner Valorie Cooper said Monday afternoon. “We were able to pull off beautiful arrangements for everyone today. People are definitely trying to send the love."

As Valorie Cooper prepared a floral arrangement, several men came in, one after the other, all seeking flowers, cards, candy and more for their better half.

It was a busy day, but one she enjoyed, she said.

Hansen’s Florist and Gifts at 1522 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d’Alene offers numerous Valentine’s Day arrangements online.

A dozen red roses, arranged in a vase with fresh greens, were selling for $84.99. An arrangement of 18 roses cost $139.99.

The “A Cut Above” bouquet, offered on Hansen’s website, included pale pink hydrangeas, pink lilies, pink alstroemeria and pink carnations, accented with hot pink roses and arranged in a pink diamond-cut glass vase. The price tag started at $104.99.

Jenna Sandin, owner of Fleurtations Floral at 1404 E. Highwood Lane in Coeur d’Alene, does mostly wedding and event flowers, but said she did make several arrangements for her most faithful clients this Valentine’s Day.

For her patrons, wildflower arrangements had the biggest appeal.

“Peonies, ornamental kale, lisianthus,” Sandin said. “Something more unusual.”

Visit www.fleurtationsfloral.com to see Sandin’s design work.

Though Valentine’s Day is typically celebrated between lovers, many people treat their children, mothers and friends to a valentine treat as well.

Flowers weren't always the go-to gift for Valentine's Day.

In England during the mid-18th century, it had become popular for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange “tokens of affection or handwritten notes,” according to History.com.

During the 1700s, it became popular in America to send handmade valentine cards. Around the 1840s, mass-produced valentines were first sold by artist Esther Howland. Howland was known for creating intricately layered lace-like designs. Her valentines were often three-dimensional and had pop-up features.

The history of Valentine’s Day is often debated. The Catholic Church recognizes three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, who were each martyred.

One legend says that during the third century, Roman Emperor Claudius II had decided that single men made better soldiers, and outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice, defied Claudius’ orders and continued to marry people in secret. Valentine was eventually put to death for his dedication to helping young lovers.

Some speculate that the feast of St. Valentine was placed during the month of February to “Christianize” the pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia, celebrated Feb. 15.

Valentine’s Day can be celebrated in a multitude of ways, but if flowers are going to be a part of it, florists recommend ordering early.

Keep that in mind because Valentine's Day 2023 will be here before you know it.