When you hear that a friend or loved one is feeling under the weather or recuperating in the hospital, chances are you want to cheer them up by sending flowers. But have you thought about where those flowers come from and who creates the beautiful arrangements?

Cut flowers are grown all over the world. Popular flowers come from places like Ecuador, California and Canada. “We also have local growers here in Ohio that may have a pick-a-patch or sell directly to florists,” said Rychele White, retail florist for The Shoppes at Aultman. “Our growers cut, package and ship flowers to wholesalers who then sell them to local florists like us.”

Staple flowers such as daisies, carnations and roses are available year-round. Seasonal flowers include tulips, peonies and dahlias. Because of a network of growers around the world, however, seasonal flowers are sometimes available at times when you least expect it. If you would like to mix seasonal flowers into your arrangement, ask the florist what’s available.

Flowers are carefully stored so that the arrangements stay fresh as long as possible. “Once we receive our product, we inspect it right away to ensure it is up to standard,” White said. “Then we clean the flowers, give them a fresh cut and put them in the correct size bucket.”

Flowers sit outside the cooler for about an hour to fully hydrate before they are placed inside, where they are stored until ready for use in an arrangement, corsage or bridal bouquet.

Your florist may ask questions about colors and the recipient’s preferred flowers. Florists stock vases in a variety of sizes and colors so they can select the appropriate vase or container for each arrangement.

Florists also keep a variety of ribbon colors and other decorative elements to help tailor arrangements to the recipient. The finishing touch is selecting a matching card to go with the arrangement’s color scheme or container.

“We know that presentation is everything when it comes to sending an arrangement to someone you care about, and these small details make it even better,” White said.

If you need floral services for any occasion, call 330-363-4937 or stop by The Shoppes at Aultman to speak to a florist. Or check out the grab-and-go coolers in The Shoppes for premade arrangements.