A rose is a rose is a rose. Blah, blah, blah. You know the story, flowers are a girl's best friend. Or is it diamonds? Ah, who cares?
This Valentine's Day finding the right flowers for the occasion could be the make it or break it gift that helps make you a star. Luckily, there are plenty of helpful florists in and around Milwaukee, ready and waiting to create floral arrangements that are sure to please.
Here's a quick guide to some of our staff's top picks:
Alfa Flower Shop
7001 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa
(414) 475-7080
alfaflowershop.com
Alfa has been delivering flowers in the area for more than 60 years.
Anomaly Design Shop
816 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-0816
anomalydesignshop.com
Aside from being a boutique and graphic design business, Brady Street's Anomaly Deisgn also provides a flower arranging service.
Baumgarten Krueger Florists
225 E. Wisconsin Ave.
(414) 276-2382
baumgartenkruegerflorists.com
A Downtown institution and an easy location to walk to during your lunch hour, assuming you work Downtown, of course.
Bel Aire Flower Shop
11222 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis
(414) 771-7630
belaireflowers.com
Belle Fiori
931 E. Ogden St.
(414) 272-2234
bellefioriflorist.com
This shop offers unique, European designs.
Bruno's Floral
2926 N. Martin Luther King Dr.
(414) 265-3013
Buds by Brenda
1200 N. Van Buren St.
(414) 273-6327
This place has been an East Side floral staple for decades.
Grande Cakes and Flowers
1433 E. Capitol Dr.
(414) 332-3070
A Shorewood florist that soon will have cakes and bakery too.
1715 N. Farwell Ave.
(414) 271-4341
Roses and more, stop at P.J.'s for a sub; it's right next door.
Greenfield Flower Shop
2628 W. Greenfield Ave.
(414) 383-1002
greenfield-flower-shop.com
One of the only true local florists who take orders on the Web.
Locker's
9125 W. North Ave.
(414) 758-8575
lockersflorist.com
Locker's has been in the flower business since 1911.
Locker's at the Market
Milwaukee Public Market
400 N. Water St.
(414) 226-0259
milwaukeepublicmarket.org
The shop offers European hand-tied arrangements.
Milwaukee Blooms Millennium
4423 N. Oakland Ave.
(414) 967-9649
In Shorewood, this Milwaukee-inspired shop can't be beat.
Milwaukee Flowers and Gifts
1925 W. Wisconsin Ave.
(414) 344-0200
flowersandsmiles.com
Marquette students and Westown residents, this is your one-stop flower shop.
Private Gardener
190 N. Broadway
(414) 223-4747
privategardener.com
A Third Ward florist with class and creative designs and gifts.
Scarvaci Florists & Gift Shoppe
2663 N. Holton Ave.
(414) 562-3214
Tulipomania European Flower Market
319 E. Howard Ave.
(414) 489-9463
milwaukeeschoolofflowerdesign.com
Holland is 4,000 miles from Milwaukee, yet Michael Gaffney sells flowers -- just about every available flower on the market, and he specializes in European flowers -- from inside a windmill on Howard Avenue.
Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse
319 S. Prairie Ave.
(262) 542-8152
waukeshafloral.com
It's been around for about 100 years, and what a wonderful Waukesha stop for flowers and plants.
Welke's House of Roses
5528 W. North Ave.
(414) 442-8640
welkes.com
A family tradition in Milwaukee since 1901.
The above list is a random sample of area florists. Remember that places like Sendik's, Metro Market, Whole Foods and Sentry also have good floral departments.
