Anniversary Flowers

Economical Arrangements

When asked to send a flower arrangement “just like the one you sent for us six months ago,” we respond that our arrangements are like fingerprints; no two are the same. There are so many ways to do flowers, just like the many flavors of ice cream.

Floral designers perform best when given license to create without micro-management. The worst approach, unfortunately the tack taken by the FTD/Teleflora crowd, is to come up with pictures of “ideal” arrangements and say, “Here, copy this!” Around the shop we call this “paint by numbers.” Designers hate these orders. They can do them, but they produce the worst outcomes. It is far better to put qualifiers on your arrangement and allow the designer to create within these parameters. Making flower choices to the following give a good formula the designer can follow. Vase or cello wrapped arrangements; Color, either bright, strong colors, or soft pastels, perhaps monochromatic; a mixture of garden flowers, tropical flowers, or all one type of flower; an arrangement with a contemporary feel, or more traditional.

Write your flower formula using these choices and we believe you will be happy with the designer’s creation.

Not to contradict what we have just said, but so that you may better understand these options, we include examples of our work for browsing here on the web. Just keep in mind that our presentation will be “in the spirit of” a certain arrangement. Our fresh flower stock changes day to day, and it is often impossible to replicate a certain flower arrangement viewed here.

Sometimes you don't need a reason to remind someone you care. That's why we think "Just because" is one of the best reasons to say: "Thank you" "I'm sorry" "I love you" "Hope you're having a good day" "Hope you're having a better day" "Good luck" "Congratulations" "I miss you" "I wish I could be there" or "Forgive me." Browse our sample selection at HARKINS THE FLORIST in New Orleans, LA and order online or call us 504-529-1638 to place an order "Just because."

Just Because

Mid Range Arrangements

When asked to send a flower arrangement “just like the one you sent for us six months ago,” we respond that our arrangements are like fingerprints; no two are the same. There are so many ways to do flowers, just like the many flavors of ice cream.

Floral designers perform best when given license to create without micro-management. The worst approach, unfortunately the tack taken by the FTD/Teleflora crowd, is to come up with pictures of “ideal” arrangements and say, “Here, copy this!” Around the shop we call this “paint by numbers.” Designers hate these orders. They can do them, but they produce the worst outcomes. It is far better to put qualifiers on your arrangement and allow the designer to create within these parameters. Making flower choices to the following give a good formula the designer can follow. Vase or cello wrapped arrangements; Color, either bright, strong colors, or soft pastels, perhaps monochromatic; a mixture of garden flowers, tropical flowers, or all one type of flower; an arrangement with a contemporary feel, or more traditional.

Write your flower formula using these choices and we believe you will be happy with the designer’s creation.

Not to contradict what we have just said, but so that you may better understand these options, we include examples of our work for browsing here on the web. Just keep in mind that our presentation will be “in the spirit of” a certain arrangement. Our fresh flower stock changes day to day, and it is often impossible to replicate a certain flower arrangement viewed here.

Sometimes you don't need a reason to remind someone you care. That's why we think "Just because" is one of the best reasons to say: "Thank you" "I'm sorry" "I love you" "Hope you're having a good day" "Hope you're having a better day" "Good luck" "Congratulations" "I miss you" "I wish I could be there" or "Forgive me." Browse our sample selection at HARKINS THE FLORIST in New Orleans, LA and order online or call us to place an order "Just because."

Birthday Flowers

Wow! Arrangements

When asked to send a flower arrangement “just like the one you sent for us six months ago,” we respond that our arrangements are like fingerprints; no two are the same. There are so many ways to do flowers, just like the many flavors of ice cream.

Floral designers perform best when given license to create without micro-management. The worst approach, unfortunately the tack taken by the FTD/Teleflora crowd, is to come up with pictures of “ideal” arrangements and say, “Here, copy this!” Around the shop we call this “paint by numbers.” Designers hate these orders. They can do them, but they produce the worst outcomes. It is far better to put qualifiers on your arrangement and allow the designer to create within these parameters. Making flower choices to the following give a good formula the designer can follow. Vase or cello wrapped arrangements; Color, either bright, strong colors, or soft pastels, perhaps monochromatic; a mixture of garden flowers, tropical flowers, or all one type of flower; an arrangement with a contemporary feel, or more traditional.

Write your flower formula using these choices and we believe you will be happy with the designer’s creation.

Not to contradict what we have just said, but so that you may better understand these options, we include examples of our work for browsing here on the web. Just keep in mind that our presentation will be “in the spirit of” a certain arrangement. Our fresh flower stock changes day to day, and it is often impossible to replicate a certain flower arrangement viewed here.

Sometimes you don't need a reason to remind someone you care. That's why we think "Just because" is one of the best reasons to say: "Thank you" "I'm sorry" "I love you" "Hope you're having a good day" "Hope you're having a better day" "Good luck" "Congratulations" "I miss you" "I wish I could be there" or "Forgive me." Browse our sample selection at HARKINS THE FLORIST in New Orleans, LA and order online or call us to place an order "Just because."

New Baby Flowers

Roses 

Please note that the wine bottle in our arrangement photographs is for scale and not available for delivery.

Of all the flowers in our repertoire, none causes more problems than roses. Somehow established long ago as the ultimate floral gift, roses can be quite fickle. Sending them is like a "crap-shoot". Sometimes one wins, but sometimes one loses.

We buy only the best roses on the market, currently the ones from Ecuador. The problem is that all roses look the same under refrigeration. The test comes when they are sent out and are expected to perform at room temperature. Sometimes they perform beautifully, but sometimes they don’t. 

There is a 12-18 hour period during a rose’s development when it can be harvested. Even an hour or two early means the rose is “green” and it will not open. Unfortunately, there is no test for what are the good ones and what are the bad ones; they all look the same in a florist's cooler.

The rose problem becomes acute in February when the demand curve goes off the charts. The problem results from the fact that roses cannot be planted just for the Valentine’s market. The same bushes must be kept in production year round. This is why you see specials on roses during the summer. Growers are hustling to get anything they can out of the summer production. For Valentine’s, some growers begin stockpiling product four to six weeks in advance. Again, there is no way of knowing what are the good ones and what are the bad ones until it is too late.

So what is the consumer to do, given this pessimistic talk about roses?

1. Consider an alternative: One of our colorful, garden vase arrangements is sure to please, in contrast to the roses that will last, at best, two to three days. One might ask for one rose in your arrangement to carry the "love" message.
2. Another smart choice: One of our orchid plants. For the less than the price of a dozen roses, $75, you can send one of these exotic, but easy-to-care-for plants that will be enjoyed for two to three months. 
3. If you do send roses, it has been our experience that any of the novelty colors out-perform the reds.
4. Never send the lavender roses. Although they have great fragrance which most commercial roses do not, they are the absolute worst performers of all the roses.

If you do choose to send roses, be assured that we do offer the best roses available.  If they do not perform satisfactorily, let us know. If they have not started to open on the second day call us THEN. We can go back on our supplier at that time so that the roses can be replaced immediately or a credit held for a future time. Just remember, IT MUST BE ON THE SECOND DAY. Later than that, the wholesaler will not do anything for us, and we cannot replace the roses.   

Get Well Flowers

Orchid Plants

Phalaenopsis are by far the easiest orchids to take care of. Many people believe they are so touchy, however if given medium light (no full sun), a soaking in the sink once every week to 10 days and then just leave them alone, they do beautifully. In our climate here, we are lucky enough to be able to leave our orchids outside, in a nice shady area and they just love it.

There are several different ways that a Phalaenopsis sends out buds, sometimes they send out two or more flower spikes, or sometimes they send out side, or lateral shoots. Sometimes we're lucky to recieve orchids with both multiple spikes and laterals, these are truly showpieces!

Graduation Flowers

Designers' Picks!

The ladies here at the shop have put together a vast selection of cool, new designs for when you are looking for something a little off the beaten path!  A few of these designs are based on some of our best customers' ideas!  Some are in response to customer demand.  

Looking for an attention-getting, dramatic pop for your next gathering?  These designs are sure to do the trick!  

Many of these arrangements may be altered to fit your color palette/needs!

Please note that the wine bottle in our arrangement photographs is for scale and not available for delivery.