General News
13 February, 2026
Love in bloom: Florists busy ahead of Valentine’s Day
A global tradition held annually to celebrate appreciation, love, and romance has local florists busy creating arrangements, bouquets, balloons, and plush toys for Valentine's Day this Saturday.
As the holiday approaches, Horsham Florist owner Susan McQueen said love is still strong in the Wimmera, and her shop has been very busy in the days before February 14.
Ms McQueen has run the business for nearly 20 years, after her mother first bought it in 1970.
She has experienced many Valentine's Days over the years.
Even with the rising cost of living, Ms McQueen said orders have been coming in steadily for weeks, though many people still place their requests at the last minute.
"There are still a lot of people out there who are romantic," Ms McQueen said.
"Although Valentine's Day is different depending on which day of the week it falls on.
"Saturdays and Sundays are more quiet usuallly, and we assume people are going out for a meal or something.
"But it's certainly building up nicely."
Traditionally, the red rose is the flower of Valentine's Day.
It is linked to Greek and Roman myths, where Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love, were said to have created the first red rose from the blood of a dying lover or from Aphrodite herself.
More recently, it's believed that a red rose symbolised deep love, passion and romance.
But Ms McQueen said not all Valentine's Day arrangements are purely red roses.
"There's still the traditional roses, which we are selling plenty of," she said.
"But a lot of people are going for a nice bouquet that is mixed, or lilies or natives."