When asked what advice she can give to customers buying flowers for Valentine’s Day, Shobhana Sharma, owner of the Stalks and Stems florist in Woolloongabba, is unequivocal.
“Order in advance!” Sharma says. “That is way better than ordering on the day, because it’s a busy day, and florists may not be able to create something on the spot.”
Nothing signifies infatuation like red roses on Valentine’s Day, but local growers struggle to meet demand.Credit: Maison Fleur
“Busy”, of course, is an understatement. Valentine’s, along with Mother’s Day, is the floral equivalent of the Boxing Day sales. According to the Australian Retailers Association, Australians will spend $535 million on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2025, with the average man projected to spend $162 and the average woman $110.
Speaking to florists in Brisbane, you get the clear sense that the word “Valentine” is somewhat triggering.
“Suppose someone walks into the city shop on February 14,” says Maison Fleur head designer Bart Hassam. “It’s 10am. Their partner works somewhere distant like North Lakes or Logan. The flowers have to be delivered by 3 [o’clock], which really means by 2. Even on a normal day, that’s hard. Whereas on Valentine’s Day, when we’re doing like 10 times the amount of work, it’s just impossible.”
Ordering a few days before Valentine’s Day should be standard operating procedure, Hassam says, otherwise you risk disappointing the object of your affection.
Another common mistake is to assume all florists you can find online are equal to your needs. Some websites are simply aggregators taking a cut from the actual florists, meaning you get less bloom for your buck. It’s also better to order from a florist who’s close to your recipient to reduce travel time – flowers are easily damaged en route.
“I would always encourage people to shop as locally as possible,” says Hassam. “It’s often useful to have them delivered in a vase so they’re in water all the way.”
Then of course, there’s the issue of red roses. If you order them, be aware that they’re most likely coming from Ecuador.
“It used to be a combination of pink and red, but this year people just want red,” Sharma says.
If you’re seeking an alternative, Sharma has ideas. “I would say a mix of lisianthus, tulips, Queen Anne’s lace and chrysanthemum disbuds would be very beautiful.”
It’s never been easier to order flowers online, but there is no substitute for being able to see, smell and select the blooms you are buying in store. You also get to meet the artisans where they work and have personalised service. Here is a selection of well-respected bricks-and-mortar florists around Brisbane. We’ve also included a few online services run by real-life florists.
Hacienda Flowers and Furnishings is a florist and homewares business in Albion, Brisbane.Credit: Claire Sandford
Hacienda Flowers and Furnishings, Albion
Vibe: Mexicana, colourful, orchidaceous
As a perennial herb that grows back, the orchid is the flower that keeps on giving. This large florist shop in Albion has an exciting range of unusual and hard-to-find orchids going beyond the standard Phalaenopsis. Co-owner Jorge is Mexican and designs the shop’s signature vases, which are handcrafted in central Mexico from Talavera pottery. Be warned: shopdogs Kali and Lucy will demand pats shamelessly.
15 Pedder Street, Albion. 07 3868 3346. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-2pm. @hacienda_flowers
Stalks and Stems, Woolloongabba.Credit: Claire Sandford
Stalks and Stems, Woolloongabba
Vibe: Antique, lavish, creative
A beautiful florist in a heritage building that was a tailor shop in bygone times, Stalks and Stems is a delight inside and out. Spiky succulents sit in carts out front; the main room is dominated by a large display of fresh flowers to choose from; and the upstairs accessory rooms host workshops and classes. Practising sustainable floristry, the team seeks out flowers in unusual colours, from maroon Celosia to stunning fuchsia Belladonna lilies. The shop was used as a location in the 2022 Netflix film Love in Bloom.
28A Logan Road, Woolloongabba. 07 3391 5544. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 9am-3pm. @stalksandstemsbrisbane
Red roses on the antique bench at Lillipollen florist in New Farm.Credit: Lillipollen
Lillipollen, New Farm
Vibe: Local, rustic, friendly
Shop dog Po, a shih tzu-poodle cross, dozes under the wooden counter of this rustic little neighbourhood florist. Maryrose, Helen and Des work on an antique wood chopper’s bench to make arrangements using locally grown fresh flowers such as dahlias, roses, sweet peas and snapdragons. Service is a priority, with deliveries usually performed by the team personally. Maryrose enjoys sourcing unusual handmade gift pieces like “cowbells” from Bangalow that would look great hanging in a garden.
Shop 4, 158 Moray Street, New Farm. 07 3358 4656. Mon-Tue 7am-4pm; Wed-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-1pm. @lillipollen
Poppy Rose flowers and gifts in Norman Park crafts bunches with a modern garden aesthetic.Credit: Nick Dent
Poppy Rose, Norman Park
Vibe: Fun, bright, hip and colourful
Elli Gregory started Poppy Rose as an online business 10 years ago then opened a shop in a cute suburban strip in 2017. She offers a “one-stop gift shop” that does colourful, upbeat and funky gifts in addition to bouquets with a modern garden aesthetic and a “just picked” vibe. Score candles and diffusers, bath mats by Sage and Clare, Frank Green waterbottles, a wide range of glass and ceramic pots and artisan jigsaw puzzles for adults and children.
Shop 2-5/50 Hume Street, Norman Park. 07 3395 4273. Mon 8am-4pm; Tue-Fri 7am-4pm; Sat 7am-1pm. @poppyrosebrisbane
Perrotts Florists is one of the oldest floristry businesses in Queensland, dating back to 1910.Credit: Claire Sandford
Perrotts Florists, Hawthorne
Vibe: Big, blousy, traditional
Astonishingly, Perrotts has been in business since 1910 and can boast customers who are third generation. In 2023, Perrotts opened this sixth branch in Hawthorne Emporium (joining Fortitude Valley, Queen Street Mall, New Farm, Herston and Camp Hill). The shop is lush with plants and bouquets producing work with an English garden aesthetic. Their Valentine’s Day Collection makes it easy to order online, or you can visit the store for a more personalised bunch.
265 Hawthorne Rd, Hawthorne. 0475 115 467. Mon-Fri 7.30am-4.30pm; Sat 7.30am-2.30pm; Sun 8am-2pm. @perrottsflorists
Maison Fleur boasts a head floral designer who has won a major international competition.Credit: Maison Fleur
Maison Fleur, Newstead
Vibe: Luxe, corporate, contemporary
This highly polished group of three city stores (Burnett Lane, Margaret Street and Gasworks Plaza, Newstead) specialises in classic European floral design with an emphasis on elegance and seasonal flowers. The Newstead store is the best one to visit as they have a wide selection of flowers, plants and gifts to browse. Head designer Bart Hassam took out a major international prize, the Floristry World Cup, in Philadelphia in 2019, and the company is a longtime sponsor of the Queensland Ballet.
Gasworks Plaza, 76 Skyring Terrace, Newstead. 07 3015 2056. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat 8.30am-3pm; Sun 9am-2pm. @maisonfleurfloraldesign
James St Florist (formerly Flower Trap) operates out of James St Market.Credit: Nick Dent
James St Florist, Fortitude Valley
Vibe: Urban, exotic, irreverent
Formerly known as Flower Trap, James St Florist is one of the original tenants in James St Market, having been there for 22 years. They’re tucked in next to the bakery and work furiously on crafting bouquets using an unusual selection of plants and foliage such as fig trees and peace lilies. For Valentine’s Day, expect special arrangements of lilies, roses and tulips.
James Street Market, 22 James Street, Fortitude Valley. 07 3257 7962. Mon-Tue 9am-4.30pm; Wed-Fri 9am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-4.30pm; Sun 9.30am-2.30pm. @james_st_florist
White Grove House sells hampers and bouquets at their Clayfield store. Credit: Nick Dent
White Grove House, Clayfield
Vibe: Coastal, cottagey, pretty
White by name and white by nature, this bleached building is packed with tasteful gifts for babies, children, women and men. Expect confectionery, soaps, perfumes, cards, fashion, homewares and more. Pastels dominate their premade bunches, and they do Valentine’s specials as well. Bespoke hampers are a specialty – their boxes of goodies come with bottles of rosé, boutique sweets and candles as well as flowers.
812 Sandgate Road, Clayfield. 07 3062 0506. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-3pm. @whitegrovehouse
The cold room at the Brisbane Flower Market. The market sells both wholesale and to the public.Credit: Brisbane Flower Market
Also worth a look:
Fig & Bloom, Bowen Hills – Order online and get your stylish blooms delivered, or pick up in person. They offer bouquets, indoor plants and a small range of gifts.
Carina Florist, Carina – Stop by for classic florals with textured elements, luscious greenery and a wide selection of flowers.
Mister Botanical, CBD – Netherlands-born Jeffrey de Jong gained many fans while based at Brookfield Gardens, and he has opened a CBD shop with some spectacular arrangements.
Stones Corner Flower Shop, Greenslopes – This home-based studio has a collection point at bookshop Books@Stones (no walk-in sales – order online).
Brisbane Flower Market, Rocklea – The market houses five flower wholesalers and florists in one location. Their massive cold rooms are open six days a week and are open to the public – you can get flowers at wholesale prices.
Divine Flowers, Wilston – A 32-year-old northside institution, Divine Flowers now sells its bold and rich-toned bouquets online only.
Wildplay Flora, Yeerongpilly – Miriam Palmer’s work is wild and playful – hence the name – and she operates out of a studio selling online.
Do you have a favourite florist that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments.