Not too long ago, the team from SmartMoney took the challenge to find the best buds for Mother’s Day. They ordered mixed-flower bouquets valued at $100 or less (including tax and shipping) from four big-name sites and one specialty upstart. These sites are mainly grower-direct sites. This means that these sites ship blooms in a box directly from the farm or grower — skipping the local florist altogether — claim that the flowers have longer staying power since there’s no detour to the local florist. They also tend to be less expensive.

As part of the challenge, the team put five grower-direct sites to the test. The sites are:

• 1-800-FLOWERS
• Martha Stewart
• Hallmark
• ProFlowers
• Organic Bouquet

After placing the order and receiving them. The team then graded the flowers received based on their quality upon arrival, their ease of arrangement and how they held up over the course of the next four days.

The verdict….. Organic Bouquet was voted #1 !!!

“It would be an understatement to say we were disappointed. With the exception of the order from Organic Bouquet — which was gorgeous — we’d be embarrassed to send Mom any of these arrangements. Dying and crushed blooms, and unopened buds abounded.” - Kelli B. of SmartMoney

The Bouquet

For this challenge, the team bought the Mother’s Day Lily Bouquet + FREE vase, which costs $49.95 only.

This bouquet comes in white and pink Oriental lilies (eight stems), eucalyptus, bear grass and lemon leaf greenery, presented in a ribbed glass vase. Plus, the flowers are certified organic and sustainable, which means they are grown pesticide-free in a way tha’s healthy for the workes and the environment.

Initial Impression:

When the team received the bouquet, they thought it is the lushest and prettiest bouquet. Although only a few of the lilies were open, everything was fresh, firm and fragrant right out of the box. The arranged bouquet needed just a few quick snips to freshen the stem ends.

Subsequent Days:

The bouquet stood the test of time. It WOWed the team. The lilies opened as soon as they were in water. By the next day a dozen plate-sized blooms were perfuming their office.

The Verdict:

“The best possible combination: Great value for you, gorgeous flowers for Mom and a good deed for the earth.”