Looking for flowers for Mother's Day? Think orchids or lilies, says Carol Caggiano, spokeswoman for the Society of American Florists.
"Orchids are huge these days," she says. Both in cut flowers and plants, consumers can find discounts of 20 percent to 25 percent in bright colors such as yellow and orange (rather than pastels), especially early in May. Or they may find the bargain in terms of buy one, get one specials, she says.
With cut lilies, consumers can find discounts of 10 percent to 15 percent in May, Caggiano says. The best prices are in brights, rather than the pastels that are popular for Mother's Day, she says, adding that multiple purchases often yield better prices.
In the latter half of May, roses really come into their own -- and that means discounts of 20 percent to 25 percent on cut flowers and on rosebushes, Caggiano says.
One way to save on all types of flowers is to buy "grower's bunches" or "market bunches" -- bundles of 10 to 25 flowers wrapped only in paper or cellophane, without added greenery or other extras, Caggiano says. "It's packaged more like it's going from the wholesaler to the retailer rather than to the consumer."