Everything Guide

The Everything Guide to Flowers

Fresh, fragrant, elegantly arranged blooms can cost a bundle in New York. But they can also cost very little, thanks to our cutthroat corner delis. A stem-by-stem look at the city’s floral bounty.

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Published May 25, 2008

(Photo: Ron van Dongen)

At their late-spring peak, anemones are bursting-red reminders that we’ve turned a corner weatherwise. “They give you that feeling of coming out of fall/wintertime,” says Tara Simone, owner of Barbara’s Flowers in Harlem, who recommends adding a bunch of anemones to a small pitcher or galvanized pail to create a rustic-looking bouquet ($1.50 per stem; 2522 Frederick Douglass Blvd., nr. 135th St.; 212-234-3211). Anemones also hold up well without water, which makes them a good variety to bring to a barbecue or garden party. “Not all flowers are like that,” she says. “Although the color is robust, it’s a very soft, billowy blossom. It almost feels like nice sheets.” For more floral expertise, click here.

The Best of Buds: We asked floral experts to tell us where they go when they want an outrageous orchid, centerpiece, or a last-minute something.

What $100 Gets: We ordered five bouquets (anonymously) from a range of florists, giving only two directives: Use what’s freshest, and keep it to one Benjamin.