Metro-East Living

Got a plan for mom’s flowers? Here’s your guide to Mother’s Day florists in Belleville

Planning on going classic for Mother’s Day with a fresh floral arrangement? Here’s what to pick, how to make your stems last and best practices to preserve your bouquet.
Planning on going classic for Mother’s Day with a fresh floral arrangement? Here’s what to pick, how to make your stems last and best practices to preserve your bouquet. (Getty Images)

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, but there are plenty of local florist options still accepting holiday orders if you call soon.

Here’s a guide to buying your Mother’s Day flowers this year, including information about preserving flowers, which blooms to avoid and a list of local florists.

How can you keep your arrangement fresh?

Many bouquets include tags or cards with care information, but they’re often lost or thrown out. Grimm & Gorly owner Jeff Bair said the most important thing to do to get the most out of your flowers is to keep the vase full of water. You should add water when you receive the bouquet and check the level and add as necessary daily. It’s also helpful to cut the stems a little bit every few days.

You don’t need to add soda, aspirin or a penny – a tiny drop of bleach will do to keep the water bacteria-free, Bair said.

Transportation should be planned so you’re not running any errands after picking up your arrangement.

“It’s just like a human — we don’t leave humans in a car and let them get cold or get super hot, and flowers are the same way,” Bair said. “We have to remember to treat flowers like we would treat anybody, like ourselves. We just want to be comfortable.”

To press or preserve flowers, allow your flower stems to live to the last stretch of their expectancy before mildew occurs. Let them dry properly, lay wax paper down and use a heavy object such as a hardcover book to press the flowers.

Your florist may be able to provide additional advice on preserving your blooms based on the type of flowers you purchased and how you plan to display them.

What’s florist availability like right now?

Mother’s Day comes at a perfect time of the year, Bair said, because so many spring blooms are in season. The only flower his shop can’t currently offer is daffodils, as they’re in short supply this year due to weather issues.

The majority of other flowers are available, though it is always possible substitutions will be made due to specific blooms selling out, especially during holiday seasons.

Which flowers should you avoid?

Dumbcane is extremely toxic and should not be displayed in homes with children or pets. Bair said the plant can cause someone’s throat to close up if it’s consumed, and Grimm & Gorly does not carry dumbcane as Bair’s daughter caused a scare by eating a leaf as a baby. (Her stomach was pumped, and she made a full recovery.)

If you have allergies, you may want to steer clear of lilies, which can irritate your eyes due to their potent aroma. Easter lilies are the worst offenders.

Pets shouldn’t be a major concern. As long as you display your flowers on a table or counter, your pet probably won’t be able to reach them. Even if they can, Bair said, they’re not likely to be interested in chowing down on an entire bouquet, and most blooms aren’t too harmful.

“Most flowers are not poison to animals,” Bair said. “We do not recommend lilies; they upset the stomach of a fur baby for sure.”

Florists in and around Belleville

The Belleville area is home to multiple family owned and operated florists, with delivery options and online ordering available at some locations. Here’s some small businesses to check out.

Krupp Florist: Locally owned and operated since 1955, Krupp Florist serves Belleville and surrounding areas with bouquets for all occasions. Mother’s Day selections start at $29.99, but pricier options are available for those looking for larger arrangements.

The Krupp team has seven designers, and the company’s website says it carries the largest inventory of Ecuadorian roses in the area. Orders may be placed online.

Location: 3610 W Main St., Belleville, IL 62226

Grimm & Gorly: The first rendition of Grimm & Gorly was established more than 100 years ago in downtown St. Louis. The shop is currently located in Belleville and it acquired The Gilded Lily in Smithton.

Grimm & Gorly is still accepting Mother’s Day orders as of Tuesday morning, and Bair said the most popular arrangement is the “Designer’s Choice.” This option allows the florist to craft a bouquet using the flowers that are currently available in the shop, as not every single flower can be available every day. There are three price tiers for the Designer’s Choice, with options at $50, $75 and $100.

Online ordering is available, and there are delivery options within Belleville.

Grimm & Gorly location: 324 East Main St., Belleville, IL 62220

The Gilded Lily location: 225 N Main St., Smithton, IL 62285

Eckert Florist: Eckert Florist offers Mother’s Day designs, as well as a custom arrangement option where you can receive flowers based on your occasion, recipient type, price, desired size and delivery date. Mother’s Day options include bouquets and wreaths, and you can go classic or choose sporty options with themes for the Cardinals, Cubs and Blues.

Orders can be placed online, and there are curbside pickup, in-store purchasing and delivery options.

Location: 201 W Main St., Belleville, IL 62220

Dill’s Floral Haven Inc.: Dill’s offers wrapped arrangements, bouquets and baskets for Mother’s Day. Featured blooms include hydrangeas, roses, carnations and snapdragons, with prices ranging from $39.99 to $224.99.

The store has been in Belleville since 1957, and also offers silks, decor and candy bouquets. You can also find dish gardens and planters at the family business. You can place your order online, and delivery is available.

Location: 258 Lebanon Ave., Belleville, IL 62220

Steven Mueller Florist: For O’Fallon shoppers, check out Steven Mueller Florist. You can find cheerful Mother’s Day arrangements here, with color themes of pink and purple, orange and red, red and white and more.

Custom bouquets are also available, where you can specify price range and any particular flowers or colors you prefer. Purchasing can be done online, and delivery is available.

Location: 101 W 1st St., O’Fallon, IL 62269

Lasting Impressions Floral Shop: Lasting Impressions offers roses, violets, tulips and specialty flowers with a wide range of colors and arrangement sizes. You can also choose scented candles, balloons, cards, canvas art and custom silk arrangements.

Orders can be placed by phone, and delivery is available. Sunday hours are appointment-based. The shop has been around since 2008.

Location: 10450 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, IL 62208

Always Flowers: Always Flowers is offering spring-spirited Mother’s Day baskets and bouquets, featuring daisies, sunflowers, tulips, roses and lilies. You can add-on balloons, stuffed animals and chocolates.

Orders can be placed online, and the florist offers same-day delivery. Deliveries cannot be made to hospitals, nursing homes or Scott Air Force Base.

Location: 703 Hartman Lane, O’Fallon, IL 62269

Meredith Howard
Belleville News-Democrat
Meredith Howard is a service journalist with the Belleville News-Democrat. She is a Baylor University graduate and has previously freelanced with the Illinois Times and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription
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