Pretty flowers near the dirty water?

March 2, 2008 9:38 AM

My friend is a talented, hobby flower arranger. She's doing her biggest job so far this summer, doing 8 table arrangements plus bouquets and buttonierres for a wedding. We live about an hour north of Boston, and she is looking for some new inspiration for this upcoming project. There must be great flower shops and markets in Boston where she can get good deals and interesting materials, but we don't even know where to start looking.

Aspects of concern include cost, quality, variety. We know nothing about flower markets or shops in Boston. Of course we could google but that doesn't really give any insider knowledge. She'd like to take a trip down to the city sometime in the next month with the bride to be, to check out a few places and make some decisions about ultimate design etc. where should she visit now? Are there markets that are seasonal that will be available to her in the summer, but not now? any info would be welcome. Please keep in mind that both she and I know almost nothing about the geography of Boston so you'll have to be kind of specific, but we are good with maps and GPS thingies hahaha. thanks

posted by Soulbee to shopping (6 comments total)

How about this place?
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 10:47 AM on March 2, 2008

Not exactly sure what you seek (retail flowers? flower shops for ideas? wholesale materials?), but here are a few ideas for your trip.

These are for inspiration:
Hanaya Floral in Cambridge
Bow Street Flowers in Somerville

And this is where I think most local florists get their materials (including flowers): Boston Flower Exchange. As far as I know it's open only to the trade, but it says on the site what she needs to show or do to prove that.

If you want a nursery where you can buy retail, Mahoney's is very good. I'd check out their Rocky Ledge location in Winchester, which has a lot of stuff. They have a few shops but the closer you get into Boston the smaller they get.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:32 AM on March 2, 2008

I forgot to mention these two spots: Winston Flowers does a lot of high end work, though I think they hit their peak a while ago. (But I notice they got Best of Boston in 2007.) And Brattle Square Florist is as good a shop as I've found to buy loose stems and create my own bouquets.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:55 AM on March 2, 2008

The premier New England flower event is about to take place in Boston the week after next.
posted by flummox at 1:38 PM on March 2, 2008

Twig (on Tremont Street in the South End; across from Boston Center for the Arts) -- Best of Boston Home 2008; Best of Boston 2007; Best of Boston 2006.
posted by ericb at 2:55 PM on March 2, 2008

Also -- Box Exquisite Floral Design (53 Charles Street, on "The Flat" of Beacon Hill.
posted by ericb at 2:58 PM on March 2, 2008