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Valentine's Flowers With a Whiff of Originality

Charles Passy

But what sort of flowers?

We looked high and low for some intriguing choices in the floral category for this Valentine's Day. Instead of a dozen roses, we offer you a dozen different ways to "say it with flowers." Pick one or more to make a fit statement on Feb. 14.

Roses, Roses and More Roses: If a dozen roses seem a tad paltry, consider this offering from Calyx Flowers -- 100 long-stemmed red roses, air-shipped directly from Ecuador. Want to make it extra special? Have them packaged with a plus-sized champagne cooler -- all for $399.95 (roses without the cooler are $349.95.)

	100 Roses

A Rose Trellis: Here's one of the more creative ways we've seen to incorporate roses into a gift item -- 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's(FLWS Quote) Rose Trellis. It takes the concept of a garden trellis and reduces it to miniature size, decorated with roses and carnations galore. Available for $79.99 -- with the option of same-day delivery, since it's prepared by local florists to 1-800-FLOWERS.COM's specifications.

	Rose Trellis

Fair Flowers: Fair, as in Fair Trade -- the certification from TransFair USA that assures that your posies are produced according to fair-labor practices (better wages, no exposure to nasty pesticides). You can easily find Fair Trade Flowers from two sources -- 1-800-FLOWERS.COM or Sam's Club(WMT Quote) (membership required). At Sam's Club, a "rainbow" rose bouquet, with roses of all colors, particularly caught our eye. It's available for $60.72 with shipping included.

A Star Orchid: The star passat orchid is "prized for both the beauty of its smooth-petaled flowers and its easy care," according to the folks at RedEnvelope, which offer it packaged in a glass container for $58. The gift merchant promises that, with proper care, the orchid should bloom for up to three months, twice a year.

Jungle Roses: As its name implies, Jungle Roses specializes in flower with a wild, exotic feel -- think big colors and lush arrangements. They are truly some of the most stunning roses we've ever seen (and the jungle-themed packaging is guaranteed to make a statement). A particular favorite of ours for Valentine's Day: the Pink Jungle Roses -- one dozen for $138.

	Jungle Roses

Roses From Martha: Martha Stewart(MSO Quote) wants to send you flowers. Yes, the domestic diva has her own flowers-by-mail biz, MarthaStewartFlowers.com. For Valentine's Day, we're partial to her mini rose plants (replete with planters). They should keep for two to four weeks. After that, they can be transferred to a larger pot or your garden, so you can appreciate their beauty for months and years to come. The rose plants with garden caddy are available for $59.99.

Tiptoeing Through Tulips: Roses aren't the only flower that come in red. As part of its Valentine's Day "Loveology" offerings, ProFlowers features a "Short and Sweet" bouquet of 30 short-cut red tulips for $59.97. The floral merchant promises they "deliver a bright burst of color into any setting."

Plastic Flowers (With Style): Hey, at least they don't need watering! But the real delight of infinifleurs, made by New York entrepreneur Susan Illman, is their wacky, bright colors -- flowers with kitschy appeal, in other words. Her myriad offerings range from black-eyed Susans to sunflowers. But if you're looking for something appropriate for Feb. 14, consider the Heart Gallery Valentine "bouquet" for $72.

	Plastic Flowers

The Blooming Card: It's a flower. It's a card. No, wait, it's both! That's the genius behind Botanical Paperworks' cards. As the company explains of its products, each card "is embedded with high-grade, pure North American wildflower seeds. When you plant the paper, the flowers will grow and bloom." For Valentine's Day, it's offering -- what else? -- a Valentine's Day Card for $3.95.

	Blooming Card

The Flower You Can Eat: Yes, eat. Edible flowers have gone from being a curiosity to something of a culinary favorite. The gourmet specialist Sur la table sells a mix of edible crystallized flowers -- good as a garnish for desserts and salads -- for $39.95.

The (Non-Edible) Flower Cake: The Flower Bakery, based in Silver Spring, Md., doesn't truly "bake" its cakes. But it creates floral centerpieces designed to resemble lush desserts -- this may be the only cake you need to water. There are many designs at many price points: A cake stand is included with the deluxe packaging. But in our book, the Valentine Flower Cake for $121 takes the, well, cake.

	Flower Cake

Organic Flowers Gone Big: We mean really big. Organic Style sells what it bills as the World's Tallest Roses -- five-foot-plus red behemoths, grown in Ecuador, that are all but guaranteed to impress (a dozen cost $249.95, professional shears included; the French flower vase runs another $79.95). The only problem? They're already sold out for Valentine's Day. But you can place your order for delivery down the road and alert your recipient that they're coming. Or consider one of Organic Style's other (albeit smaller) floral offerings.

	Tallest Roses