Local garden centre ready for Mother’s Day

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mother's Day is just a few days away (May 9), and Shelburne's local garden centres are in full swing, preparing for all your garden gifting needs. 

Shirley Noble, is the owner of Shirley's Garden Supply and Flower Shop located along Hwy.89 just outside of Shelburne, and she spoke with the Free Press about how they're preparing for Mother's Day. 

“All of our annuals should be in for the weekend of Mother's Day, we'll having hanging baskets, and all our cut flowers have been ordered. We'll be ready to make bouquets and arrangements,” said Noble.

Noble has been a certified florist since 2009 and dropped a few tips for those looking to buy bouquets or arrangements this year. 

“It all depends on what the client is asking for, but a lot of the time people want bright and happy,” said Noble. “We like to make sure the mothers have bright, beautiful bouquets and there is a great assortment of flowers coming in with lilies, roses, and stock in all kinds of colours.” 

Nobel adds that the top sellers for flowers arrangements tend to be roses, lilies,
and peonies. 

While the colour of the flowers are a big factor, Noble also notes the longevity of the different types of flowers. 

“Products like lilies and roses don't last very long so we could go with gerbera daisies, commercials, and mums they all last a long time,” said Noble. 

Customer's unsure about which flowers they want can also always ask for designer choice. 

 “A lot of people will ask for designer choice and then I get to have fun making up bouquets and arrangement,” says Noble, with a laugh. 

Shirley's Garden Supply and Flower Shop is open for in-person shopping with a limit of three people inside, but customers are also able to order by phone and for curbside pickup. 

“We'll make sure everybody will be looked after,” said Noble.

Shelburne Fresh Variety, located at 604 Owen Sound Street, is another local garden centre that is in full preparation for Mother's Day.

Brent Gray, owner of Shelburne Fresh Variety, told the Free Press they have a range of inventory for Mother's Day including hanging baskets, bedding plants, flowering shrubs and fruit bushes such as raspberries and blueberries 

“The hanging baskets are the number one seller for Mother's Day, for anybody,” said Gray. “But the fruit bushes are also nice, a lot of the mothers love them and the chain stores in town, they don't get into it like we do with an assortment.” 

For those looking to purchase hanging baskets, Gray suggests buying sooner rather than later. 

“Everything is going to be short this year because of COVID, and it's going to be hard to get variety. Usually I can get hanging baskets right till the end of July and that ain't going to happen this year,” said Gray. “I wouldn't be waiting.” 

With the weather still a little on the chilly side, Gray is also cautioning buyers about overnight frost. 

“It's still early in the season, so be careful what you're buying, and try to bring them in at night,” said Gray. 

Customers are able to do in-person shopping at Shelburne Fresh Variety, with Mother's Day items located outside the store, as well as phone in orders for curbside pickup.