Florists flooded with Valentine's Day orders but it's not all roses

It's the busiest time of year for florists all around the world and in the lead up to Valentine's Day it was all hands on deck at Poho Flowers in Potts Point, who have been flooded with orders.

"Busy is an understatement," Poho Flowers co-owner Edward West said. "We've had early starts and late nights since a week before Valentine's Day – we haven't had much of a break."

Mr West said flowers have been delivered since Thursday because customers wanted the "excitement of receiving flowers at work".

"It's a bit unusual this year because Valentine's Day is on a Sunday, normally people are placing orders and having the flowers sent to peoples work," he said. "But it hasn't stopped people from ordering."

Mr West said in the days leading up and including Valentine's Day Poho expected to serve more than 11,000 customers.

"I don't think you can ever be prepared – it's organised chaos." he said. "It's pretty funny because it may be the busiest time for us, but it's also so quiet because all the men stand there in a line wanting to buy flowers."

Nine million stems of roses are expected to be sold across Australia this year – that's down from 19 million in previous years according to Peter Lynch from the Sydney Flower Market.

"People haven't stopped buying flowers," Mr Lynch said. "We're finding that roses aren't as popular as they once were."

"Customers aren't going down the traditional road of roses but are now looking for colour; pinks, orange, yellow and a rustic look – it's been very popular."

Mr Lynch said there was a growing trend of girls buying flowers for their male partners and said Valentine's Day wasn't just about love.

"It's a day to tell someone you care about, not necessarily in a relationship with that you appreciate them in your lives."