Springfield Index: Last-Minute Mothers Day Roses

Mothers Day is celebrated the second Sunday of May. It's a day that families come together for say a barbeque or helpings of homemade cake with lemonade. One of my favorite Mothers Day memories is of my then six-year-old daughter bringing me breakfast in bed, along with a dozen pale pink roses…the roses were great, the breakfast, …erm…, was a green pepper stuffed with grapes—great and memorable in its own right.

Some people may say that it's a pink azalea plant that makes a Mothers Day gift a Mothers Day gift. Others prefer more traditional-type presents such as chocolates, teddy bears or perfume. Me? I'm partial to a dozen roses (hold the stuffed pepper.)

On Thursday May 6 we set out to see what kind of roses that $20 could buy. We were pleased to find that there are plenty of options for rose bouquets in and around Springfield. All flower prices quoted are for one dozen roses in cellophane, some are packed with greens or baby breath. At these prices, no vases—but not to worry —Mom has plenty in the cupboard. Don't forget to cut about ¼ inch off of the stem end and to plunk a penny in the water – it'll keep the blooms fresher longer.

Food King on Morris Avenue:  One dozen roses $12.99, find the display right inside the front door. The flowers were nice and packed with baby's breath, but there wasn't much of color selection, with a concentration on reds and pinks.

King's on Morris Avenue, Short Hills: One dozen roses $15.99, long-stemmed beauties in a rainbow of colors.  The roses are wrapped in coordinating tissue paper and come with baby's breath.  Even the most persnickety mom would be happy with these.

Shoprite on Morris Avenue:  One dozen roses $12.99. Shop Rite is teaming up with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and is making a donation in honor of Mothers Day. Purchase a dozen roses there and know that $20,000 is going to local affiliates of the group.  The long-stemmed roses are fresh and beautiful and come with baby's breath.

Seven-11 on Morris Avenue:  One dozen roses $19.99. Don't get us wrong, we love to run into 7/11 when we're on our way home at night and remember we need milk/cereal/snacks/Mega Million tickets. They did have roses for sale. At $19.99 they were the most expensive we found and unless you're desperate for a gift, would recommend skipping.

Christmas Tree Shops, Route 22 westbound, near Bob's Stores:  One dozen silk roses $1.99. Ok, you're on a budget or love a bargain, that's why you're at the Christmas Tree Shops. They market themselves as holiday experts, but we couldn't find a Mothers Day display. We did find some very nice silk roses at $1.99 per dozen. Go ahead. Buy three bunches.

Whole Foods, Union: One dozen roses $12.99 (40 cm) and $19.99 (60 cm). The store had a very good selection of "Whole Trade", fair trade grown roses, in two long-stem sizes. There was an excellent selection of unusual colors – pale pink or orange flowers tipped in pink for example. Flowers are packed in cellophane, baby's breath or other 'side' greens are extra.