Upper West Side Pick of the Week

We were surprised and delighted to discover My Upper West, the Upper West Side Blog has chosen Gotham Gardens as their Pick of the Month for February. We especially liked what they had to say about Valentine's Day, which is fast approaching. "... if you are thinking about what to get your sweetheart as a token of your love, consider one of the unique arrangements from Gotham Gardens. The flower and plant shop on Amsterdam offers some innovative designs so that your arrangement is more than the phone-it-in-red-roses-in-plastic-wrap."

Last year a woman confessed that, while she didn't want to seem ungrateful for the dozen red roses she knew she'd be getting, she really envied the women getting our lush arrangements of roses, peonies, ranunculus, orchids, sweet peas and other gorgeous blooms.

So, gentlemen, why not really dazzle them this year?

Think Ahead for a Really Special Valentine's Day

In need of inspiration this Valentine's Day? Take a tip from those Victorians who knew romance and flowers were as intertwined as, well, figure skating and sequins.

Though Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, consider kicking off the celebration on Friday. There's always a special thrill in getting flowers at the office. (And so what if part of it is the look of envy on colleagues' faces.)

Catch your Valentine off guard with breakfast ... or at least, coffee -- in bed on Saturday morning and roses on the tray. (And scatter the petals where you may.)

Brunch on Sunday? You'll knock their socks off if you arrange with us ahead of time to have a lovely centerpiece waiting on your table. No additional cost for all the looks of envy cast your way.

In hibernation mode, especially with the Olympics underway? We can deliver a gift basket to your door, pairing a gorgeous bouquet with special treats from our neighbors: the infamous chocolate chip cookies from Levain Bakery, Wicked Hot Chocolate from Jacque Torres, cupcakes from Crumbs, wine from Pour, or salumi and cheese from Salumeria Rosi.

Six More Weeks of Winter

As anyone who has ever seen the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray knows, there is only one genuine, authentic groundhog prognosticator and that's the one in Punxsutawney, PA. According to Phil, we're in for six more weeks of winter. All the more reason to wrap oneself in thoughts of love and warmth.

Here at Gotham Gardens, we've turned to some of our favorite writers for a little illumination on the subject.

Some of us who seem to have been in hibernation this winter liked this gem from Zora Neale Hurston: Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

The gardeners couldn't resist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Love does not dominate; it cultivates.

Those of us who remember the enchantment of Il Postino are immediately swept away to a sunny Mediterranean island thanks to the words of Pablo Neruda:

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

The Dozen Red Roses Dilemma

Come Valentine's Day, a dozen red roses is like a default setting. You can't go too far wrong but you also miss the opportunity for something imaginative, personal, unique. It all comes down to expectations. If you know that's what she expects, by all means, go for it. If you're not sure, here's your opportunity to be a hero.

If you know her favorite flower, you're ahead of the game. If you're married, ask her mother or best friend what kind of flowers she chose for your wedding. Bonus points if you remember on your own.

Consider red roses mixed with other elements like this dramatic arrangement with peonies and sugar cane:

Know her favorite colors? Then just use red as a romantic accent:

Does she dream of the garden she'll one day tend? Choose a few exquisitely fragrant garden roses and a book to feed her imagination and she'll applaud your thoughtfulness.

Or keep the romance going. Give her a special vase and the promise of gorgeous blooms all year long.