Roses cost from $120-$220 for a dozen at this time of year.
Roses cost from $120-$220 for a dozen at this time of year.
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If it's flowers that will impress the object of your desire this Valentine's Day, have your credit card at the ready.
A bunch of something as seemingly humble as hydrangeas and lisianthus will cost Romeos up to $200 this Wednesday.
"It's definitely the biggest day of the year,"says Sharon Watson, owner of Toi Toi Floral Design in Ponsonby, which is selling the $200 bunch.
The florist says on average customers will spend around $250-$300 on Valentine's Day. Remuera's Iain Stephens Floral Design says most of its customers spend around $80 each, but some have paid up to $150 for a bunch of roses in past years.
One generous boss with deep pockets has made inquiries at Toi Toi about purchasing 75 red roses for his staff - at a cost of around $1500.
Traditionalists will certainly find themselves paying high prices for roses again this year, which are ranging from $120-$220 for a dozen.
Florists don't hike up the price just for profit, Iain Stephens says; they must pay triple, or even quadruple, the standard price for a long-stem rose at this time of year.
The prices of flowers skyrocket for the day, driven by a simple "supply and demand" model, according to Northern Flower Growers Association chairman Andre van der Kwaak.
He expects prices for roses will remain the same as last year, barring any last minute natural disasters.
Meanwhile, The Warehouse is catering for suitors with more of an eye for a bargain this Wednesday, selling a bunch of five roses for $9.99.
