Roadtest: The best of the buds

 With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’ve prepared a guide to the top Inner West florists to help local lovers (and secret admirers) find the perfect bunch of blossoms.

Potteround

This stunning Rozelle florist feels more like a gallery than a shop. Their stock is fresh and their arrangements are modern and beautifully presented. This is the place to go for something different, as well as hampers. But if you’re sticking with tradition, a dozen long-stem roses arranged in a flat box will cost you $120. Delivery prices are set according to your suburb and distance from the shop.

Budding Florist

Located in MarketPlace Leichhardt, this shop is tiny and as a result has less floor stock than most others but it is well-priced – a dozen bunched or boxed red roses costs $109.95 plus delivery, which starts at around $10.

Jodie McGregor Flowers

This Annandale florist won the 2013 Inner West Business Award for Best Florist and is one of the most reputable in the area with fresh, good quality flowers on offer, as well as other gifts. It’s a great place for people who don’t know what they want because staff can be trusted to put together something fab on your behalf. The shop is quite small, which means you get quick service but you might feel pressure to buy rather than take your time browsing. For Valentine’s Day a bunch of 12 long-stem roses will set you back $119.95. Delivery is generally $15, depending on location.

Urban Flower

A family-run business for over 30 years, Urban Flower is offering a special romance-themed range for Valentine’s Day this year that caters to people who want to make a big statement. There are 50 and 100 red-rose arrangements on offer alongside smaller single rose and teddy combos. A bouquet of a dozen roses is priced at $129 plus delivery, which is generally $9.95 (but may depend on time and location).

Flowermart

Norton Plaza’s florist has a decent range of market bunches on display and the staff are happy to make something to fit your budget, on the spot, so it caters well for individuals who want to pick and choose their own flowers. Prices are average with a bunch of 12 roses costing $125 plus $15 delivery. However, they do offer cheaper half dozen and single boxed rose arrangements as well.

Flowers on Norton

This Leichhardt business is innovative and unique, one of the only local florist to offer a ‘Valentine’s For Him’ arrangement; plus their stuff is beautiful. However, they can be slightly more expensive – you’ll pay $130 for 12 long-stem roses in a flat box and delivery charges vary.

Lucy’s Florist

Winners of the 2012 Inner West Business Award for Best Florist, Lucy’s is a traditional, old school florist with reliable service and simple arrangements. They are not cutting edge when it comes to floral design but they are quite affordable compared with other florists, with a bunch of 12 long-stems priced at just $85.