In 2008, $35.6 billion worth of floral items were purchased in the U.S., and I’m betting Mother’s Day was one of the leading occasions. If you’re thinking flowers as one of this year’s Mothers’ Day gift ideas, we have a few tips to pass along to help you get your money’s worth.

Where can you get the best price?
I ran the numbers for a dozen long-stemmed red roses delivered to my Midwest home from three online flower vendors. The online version of FTD, which wouldn’t divulge its “service fee” until I’d almost completed an order, charges $49.99 without a vase, with a service fee that goes up from $14.99 on the Thursday before to $17.99 on Friday and $29.99 on Saturday. These flowers are delivered by UPS or FedEx.
1-800-Flowers charges $59.99 for a dozen “Rose Elegance Premium Long Stem Red Roses” in a vase, with a $14.99 service charge. Its flowers are delivered by a florist. Teleflora also charges $59.95 for 12 standard red roses in a glass vase, with a $14.99 delivery charge; Saturday delivery is the same price as other days of the week.

Apparently, the glass vase costs $10. I can buy one for 50 cents at Goodwill.

I then called my local florist, Market Blooms in Columbus, who told me they would supply a dozen roses in a vase delivered on the Thursday before Mother’s Day for $50 plus $8 delivery and sales tax.

My conclusion? Shopping local florists makes a lot more sense — in this case, about $17 worth. Call early and be sure to ask if there is a difference in delivery cost on Thursday vs. Friday vs. Saturday.

What do you look for when shopping for flowers?
One vendor classes flowers this way:
Flower — size, tightness, state of opening, free of insects and disease.
Leaves — Good color (not pale), well formed, no young tips that wilt, free of insects and disease.
Stems — Straight, resistant to bending, free of insects and disease.

The larger, tighter, open roses with green well-formed leaves and long, straight firm stems are going to be worth more.

I asked Jennifer Sparks, the vice president of marketing for the Society of American Florists, how can a shopper determine if the flowers he/she is considering buying are fresh? She replied, via e-mail:
It’s a little like buying produce — trust your eye. Look for stems and petals that look vibrant and fresh, versus slightly wilted or tired looking. For roses, check the heads with a slight squeeze for a firm bud. If it is mushy, it is further along in its life. Also, check around to see how the flowers are being kept — are they in a cooler or cool area in containers with clean water? It is best to buy from a florist or establishment that knows how to properly care for flowers and offers a satisfaction guarantee.
I also asked Sparks — what’s the deal with those people who sell flowers at freeway exits?
Usually they set up “shop” the day before or of a major holiday. They do not pay taxes to help the local economy like established local businesses. While the price may seem like a good value, they have often bought the flowers at a discount because they are past their prime, and are not properly cared for and sit in the sun all day which is not good for the flowers. Because of this, those flowers will likely have a very short shelf life and, because the vendor will likely be gone the next day, if consumers have a problem with the flowers, they have no recourse.
And I had to ask her –what is the effect of the Icelandic volcano on flowers this spring? I was thinking perhaps the tulips from Holland would be damaged. Sparks replied:
The impact really came from planes being grounded for a week so product couldn’t get in and out. But there is so much breadth, depth and resourcefulness to the floral industry that other than some logistical challenges, consumers’ needs were able to be met during that time. There are an incredible amount of alternative sources, as tulips and many other flowers are available from South America, Canada, California, Washington and other states.
For those of you concerned about flowers and the environment –
Those flowers in your arrangement may well have traveled a long way before gracing your table. Sixty-seven percent of flowers sold here are domestic, with 77% of those coming from California., and 61% of the remaining third come from Columbia. Its neighbor Ecuador supplies another 17%. According to one study, for those imported flowers “air transportation alone creates 3.1 pounds of carbon per bouquet.” Ouch.

I asked Sparks what Mother’s Day flower selections would come at the least environmental cost? She replied:
Domestic flower growers and the major ones who import their product into the U.S. are environmentally and socially responsible. It makes good business sense. To be able to provide the consumer with great selection and quality, flowers do come from across the country and the world. If you are looking for flowers that are locally grown, ask your florist what options are available for that time.
If you really want to be environmentally friendly, though, stop by my house for a bouquet. I’m growing these round yellow flowers right in my lawn, and you can have all you want.

If you’re dead set on buying your mom a handsome bouquet, though, your local florist is probably the place where you’ll find the best combination of price and quality. If you choose to buy at a grocery store or other bulk retailer, keep in mind the tips above on what to look for, so you can choose a display that will last long enough to give your mom a chance to brag on it.

Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.

The best hotels outside Manila in Pampanga and Subic are listed here including a beach resort which is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

Adding to the charm and attractiveness of the resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now

Or call us at

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177 ask for Pedro or Rechel

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit
http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

For assistance with wedding venues, organizing and planning a wedding reception or to find wedding services and consultants, log on to
www.philippinesweddingvenue.com

To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers and gourmands looking for good place to eat, fine dining restaurants and family resto bar may want to log on to www.YatsRestaurant.com

In the Freeport zone of Clark, there is a large wine shop that sells excellent vintage wine called Clark Wine Center which offers over 2700 selections of fine wine ranging from p500 to p500,000 a bottle and up. Log on to www. ClarkWineCenter.com for more information.

Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.