Patch chatted with Laura Blanchard of Frank's Garden Florist about alternatives to roses, how to make blooms last longer and what it's like to make office deliveries on Valentine's Day.

Gilroy Patch: Have the last few days been a mad dash as customers scramble to buy flowers for their sweeties?

Laura Blanchard: The last couple days have not been too busy, though it started to pick up today. Everyone seems to be waiting until the last minute and we expect we'll be getting a lot more business tomorrow.

Patch: Who's the typical customer shopping for flowers on Valentine's Day?

Blanchard: It's mostly gentlemen looking for their wife or their girlfriend.

Patch: What do you think it means to give flowers to someone?

Blanchard: Flowers are something that are cheerful and pretty. Women love flowers, but who doesn't?

Since tomorrow's a work day, a lot of guys are having flowers delivered to their wives or girlfriends' offices. It's a way for men to show how much they love the women in their lives. Also, then all the ladies in the office can see them, too.

Patch: Will Frank's be making office deliveries tomorrow?

Blanchard: We have a lot of office deliveries planned for tomorrow. Some people have been taking them home themselves but since tomorrow is a work day, most people have been ordering deliveries.

Patch: It sounds like Feb. 14 is going to be a very busy day for you.

Blanchard: Tomorrow is going to be crazy. It's hard to say from year to year, but we expect it to be really busy. We're going to get here early because we have a lot of deliveries that have accumlated over the past few days.

Patch: Are most women happy to get flowers delivered to them at work? Or are some embarrased?

Blanchard: Most ladies are very happy. Some are...suprised, but it's usually a good reaction.

Patch: Have you ever had someone not react well when you delivered flowers to them at the office?

Blanchard: We've had people really reluctant to receive flowers if it's from someone they don't know. That's happened before. But usually, for Valentine's Day, it's usually someone you know. It's a welcome surprise.

Patch: Besides the usual suspects, roses, what are some good flowers to give for V-Day?

Blanchard: People really love our garden mix bouquets. They have pinks, whites and reds in them, all the Valentine's colors. We put lilies, roses, gerber daisies, snap dragons and lisianthus stalk. We have lots of different arrangments we can put together that aren't just the typical roses, though we do sell a lot of those.

We're even selling indoor, potted plants too, like dendrobium orchids, anthuriums and some other mixed dish gardens.

Patch: How can recepients make their gifts last fresher for longer?

Blanchard: Most indoor plants are happy with a little bit of sunlight from a window and a little bit of water.

For fresh cut flowers, change the water every couple of days. Cutting the stems can help keep bateria out and help the flowers last longer. Also, keep them cool. You don't want them wilting in a hot room.