Red roses remain the most popular traditional Valentine's Day gift, say Tauranga florists.
Dave McCoy, owned-operator of Flower Crazy florist shop in Sharyn Place, Brookfield for the past 15 years, has recently returned from the Auckland flower auction with a van load of flowers.
Mr McCoy said he was most particular about quality and only buys the best blooms, including popular red roses.
This year, as in past years, the wholesale price of roses had basically tripled, he said.
Mr McCoy said buying in roses for Valentine's Day was always a gamble, because it depended on the level of demand, especially this year as the big day falls on Saturday.