Tell Me About These Flowers: What to Check Before You Choose
When customers point to a bouquet and say, “Tell me about these,” they usually want to know which flowers it contains, how to care for them and whether they suit the recipient. An accurate answer starts with the flower names or a clear photograph; colour alone cannot establish the variety, scent or likely vase life. Once those details are clear, choose by the recipient’s preferences, the occasion and where the bouquet will stand.
At Pyat Tsvetov (5 Flowers), we have been answering flower questions in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and we have three shops in the city. A useful conversation starts with something concrete: a favourite flower, a dislike of strong fragrance, a small vase or a delivery date. For someone ordering from abroad, the recipient’s routine matters too. The following checks help turn an attractive photograph into a considered gift.
Identify the flowers before judging the bouquet
Start with the product description and distinguish the main flowers from foliage and smaller supporting stems. A photograph shows the overall shape and colour balance, but overlapping petals can hide identifying features, especially in tightly arranged bouquets. If you need help identifying a flower, a close view of its bloom, leaves and stem is more useful than a distant picture of the wrapping. Treat a catalogue title as a name for the arrangement, rather than proof of its botanical contents.
Check whether the pictured flowers are buds, partly open blooms or fully open heads, because that affects the appearance you are choosing. A compact bud and an open flower of the same type can contribute very differently to the bouquet’s size and texture. Photographs and screens can also shift delicate pinks, creams and lilacs, so avoid basing an important decision on a tiny colour difference. Use the bouquets catalogue to compare the stated contents as well as the pictures.
Choose for the recipient, then consider symbolism
The recipient’s known preferences are a stronger guide than a list of supposed flower meanings. Red roses often suggest romance, but the same flowers can feel entirely different when sent by a partner, a relative or a colleague. White flowers may look restrained and elegant, yet they do not carry one universal message across families and cultures. If the relationship could make the gesture ambiguous, a short card explaining the occasion gives the recipient useful context.
In Russia, bouquets with a clearly countable number of flowers are traditionally given in odd numbers for happy occasions; even numbers are associated with mourning. This is particularly relevant when choosing a small bouquet whose individual stems are obvious. For a large mixed arrangement, focus on the whole composition while remaining mindful of the recipient’s customs. Avoid assuming that carnations, roses or any other flower belong exclusively to one age group or gender.
Bouquets we can deliver
Think about scent, space and the recipient’s home
A bouquet needs to fit the place where it will be enjoyed, rather than simply look impressive in a photograph. A broad arrangement may be awkward on a crowded desk, while long stems need a vase that can support them without tipping. Strong fragrance can be unwelcome in a bedroom, shared office or small room, even when the recipient likes the flowers themselves. If scent matters, establish the flower types before choosing; appearance does not reliably tell you how fragrant a bouquet will be.
Pets are another reason to check the actual contents rather than choose by colour alone. True lilies and daylilies are highly toxic to cats, including exposure to pollen and vase water, so exclude them from a cat household. Other flowers and foliage can also be unsuitable around animals, and a mixed bouquet should not be assumed safe because its main flower is familiar. If a person has a known sensitivity, let their specific needs guide the choice rather than relying on a general claim that flowers are allergy-free.
Give cut flowers a clean start at home
Prepare a clean vase before putting the bouquet in water, and remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Recut the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool so the flowers can take up water through a fresh cut surface. If flower food is supplied, follow its dilution instructions instead of adding an arbitrary amount. Keep any binding that supports the arrangement in place unless it prevents the stems from sitting properly in the vase.
Check the water daily, top it up as needed and refresh it regularly, cleaning the vase if the water becomes cloudy. Place flowers away from direct sunlight, radiators and ripening fruit, and remove fading flowers and fallen leaves as they appear. Different flowers age at different rates, so one stem declining does not mean the entire bouquet must be discarded. There is no reliable vase-life promise for an unidentified arrangement: flower type, condition, room conditions and care all affect the result.
Match delivery timing to the recipient’s day
For a gift sent to Russia from another country, plan around the recipient’s local date and daily routine. Establish the delivery address and choose a period when they are likely to be there, especially for a workplace or a surprise. We deliver flowers across Russia, and express delivery in large cities is available within 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed. Count that interval from confirmation, rather than from the moment you begin browsing or filling in the order.
You can choose delivery at an exact time with a tolerance of plus or minus 30 minutes, or a window of 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21. Orders can also be placed 1–30 days ahead, which helps when arranging a gift across time zones. In Saint Petersburg, delivery is available around the clock. City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs, the operator confirms the delivery price when confirming the order, so check the delivery and payment information when planning.
Make the message and order details clear
Before checkout, check the bouquet, recipient’s contact details, delivery address, local delivery date and card text together. A card with your text is free, and delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender. If you want the recipient to know who sent the flowers, include your name in the message rather than expecting the courier to explain. Our guide to sending roses anonymously is useful when deciding how much to reveal in the card.
The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, so a surprise still involves practical contact. If the recipient is absent, we agree a second delivery the same day or a handover to a neighbour or concierge with the sender’s consent. Online payment uses CloudPayments at checkout; check the options displayed there, since acceptance of every foreign card is not guaranteed. For questions about the flowers or an order, call 8 (812) 507-67-05.
Frequently asked questions
Can you identify flowers from a bouquet photograph?
A clear photograph can help, especially when it shows individual blooms, leaves and stems. Some flowers look similar, so a photograph alone may not establish the exact variety; check the stated contents before relying on an identification.
How long will these flowers last in a vase?
There is no dependable single answer without knowing the flowers and their condition. A clean vase, fresh water, suitable placement and removal of fading material help you care for the bouquet, but they do not establish a fixed lifespan.
Should I choose an odd number of flowers for Russia?
For a celebratory bouquet with clearly countable stems, an odd number follows the usual Russian tradition. Even numbers are associated with mourning, so this distinction matters particularly in small bouquets.
Will an anonymous delivery reveal my name?
Delivery is anonymous by default, and the courier does not name the sender. Check your free card text carefully, because a signature or personal reference can identify you.
Can I pay for flowers from outside Russia?
Online checkout uses CloudPayments. Check the payment options displayed at checkout, as acceptance of every foreign card is not guaranteed.
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