Behind the Blooms: Why Planning Ahead Matters When Ordering Flowers in Perth
Beautiful flowers begin long before they reach your hands. A little planning can make all the difference when you have something special in mind.
Perth is one of the most isolated capital cities in the world, and while we are fortunate to have some wonderful local flower growers here in Western Australia, sourcing flowers isn't always as simple as it might seem.
At Lilypilly Florist & Gifts, we spend a great deal of time planning, sourcing and selecting flowers to create arrangements for our customers. We order ahead wherever possible, sometimes up to a month in advance for special occasions. Yet even with the best planning, flowers can occasionally surprise us.
Here's a little insight into what happens behind the scenes.
Not Every Flower Is Available All Year Round
Western Australia has some lovely local flower farms, but flowers grown here are seasonal. What grows beautifully at one time of year may not be available a few months later.
Weather also plays a significant role. A sudden cold snap or an unexpected heatwave can affect how flowers grow, their quality and whether they are suitable for floristry.
When local flowers aren't available or don't meet the standard we require, we look to imported varieties to help fill the gap.
Sourcing Flowers in Perth Can Take Time
Unlike ordering a product sitting on a warehouse shelf, sourcing flowers involves working with growers, wholesalers, transport companies and suppliers who are managing a constantly changing product.
Western Australia doesn't grow roses commercially on the scale needed to supply local demand, so the roses available to florists here are imported. This means availability depends on shipments arriving, quality checks and the colours and varieties supplied.
Occasionally, shipments are delayed by a day or two. Sometimes a particular colour or variety simply isn't available in the quantity we need.
Imagine needing 35 yellow and purple roses, with a few very pale peach and pink roses mixed in, for a Saturday event — but only starting to look for them late on Friday afternoon. Or needing a dozen long-stemmed white roses at very short notice in the middle of wedding season.
We will always do our best to help, but by that stage, our suppliers may have sold out, the next shipment may not have arrived, or there simply may not be enough time to source the flowers required.
If You Have Your Heart Set on Something Specific, Please Book Early
If you have a particular flower, colour or variety in mind, the best thing you can do is contact your florist as early as possible.
This is especially important for:
Weddings and special events: If your flowers need to match a particular colour palette, dress or theme, early planning gives us more time to source suitable varieties.
School balls and formals: Popular flower colours and varieties can be in high demand during ball season.
Special occasions: If you have your heart set on a particular rose colour or an unusual flower, advance notice gives us the best chance of finding it.
Specific quantities: Larger orders or combinations of several colours can take additional planning to source.
Booking early doesn't mean every flower can be guaranteed, but it gives us more options and a much better chance of getting things right.
Flowers Are Living Things, Not Factory-Made Products
One of the beautiful things about flowers is that no two are exactly alike.
Flowers can vary in size, shape, colour and the stage at which they open. Even within the same variety, individual stems may look a little different. They are natural products, influenced by growing conditions, weather and the journey they take before reaching us.
At Lilypilly, we carefully select the flowers we use because quality matters to us. If something arrives that doesn't meet our standards, we look for an alternative rather than simply using it because it was ordered.
Sometimes that means finding a different variety that achieves a similar look. This is why having a little flexibility with your flower choices can make such a difference.
Always Have a Plan B
We understand how important flowers can be. They might be for a wedding, a school ball, an anniversary or a gift for someone very special. We know there can be a lot of emotion attached to getting every detail just right.
If a particular flower is essential, tell us when you place your order so we can discuss availability and what can realistically be arranged.
Where possible, we recommend having an alternative colour or flower in mind. A suitable backup gives us room to work with changing availability while still creating something beautiful that suits your occasion.
If you are unsure what alternatives might work, talk to us. We can suggest options that complement your original idea and help you make an informed decision before the day arrives.
At Lilypilly, We Never Stop Trying
We know that sometimes customers come to us with an unusual request or a flower they have been searching everywhere to find.
We love a challenge.
If there is a chance of sourcing something unusual or seemingly impossible, we will do our best to explore the options. We cannot promise that every flower will be available, but we can promise that we will take your request seriously and be honest with you about what is possible.
When you order from Lilypilly, you are dealing with real people who care about the flowers they select and the arrangements they create. We aren't simply sending out products that were packed away weeks ago. We are working with fresh flowers, changing availability and the individual needs of each customer.
That personal attention is part of what makes choosing a local florist special.
Our advice? Plan ahead, tell us what matters most to you, and keep an open mind when nature has other ideas.
If you have a special occasion coming up or a particular flower in mind, we would love to hear from you. The earlier we can start planning together, the better chance we have of creating something you'll love.
Lilypilly Florist & Gifts — thoughtfully selected flowers, personal service and a genuine love of what we do.
