Flower delivery
A service for sending flowers as gifts through local florists or online networks
Flower delivery is a service that lets people send flowers as gifts, often ordered online and delivered to a recipient by a local florist or courier. The system includes local florists, wire services, order brokers, and courier delivery, each handling orders and fulfillment in different ways.
- The first floral wire service began in the US in 1910.
- Flower delivery can be arranged online, by phone, or in person.
- Courier delivery ships flowers directly from farms or warehouses.
- Wire services connect local florists for national and international orders.
What is Flower delivery?
Flower delivery is a service that arranges for flowers to be sent from one person to another, often as a gift. Orders can be placed in person, by phone, or online. The flowers are prepared and delivered by local florists or sent directly from growers via courier. The service covers everything from simple bouquets to elaborate arrangements, and delivery can be same-day or scheduled for a future date.
Where does Flower delivery come from?
The idea of flower delivery began in the early 20th century, with the first floral wire service started by a group of US florists in 1910. They used telegraph messages to exchange orders, giving rise to the term 'wire service.' Similar cooperatives formed in Britain and Europe, and over time, private companies and online platforms joined the industry, expanding the reach and convenience of flower delivery.
How Flower delivery is made
To send flowers, a customer selects an arrangement from a catalogue, either online or at a shop. The order is then processed by a local florist, a wire service, or a broker, depending on the system used. Local florists prepare and deliver the flowers by hand, while courier services ship boxed flowers directly from farms or warehouses. Each method has its own process for handling orders and delivery.
When and where Flower delivery is used
People use flower delivery for many occasions: birthdays, weddings, funerals, holidays, and as everyday gifts. The service is popular for sending flowers to someone in another city or country. Delivery can be arranged for the same day or scheduled in advance, making it a flexible option for personal and special events.
Forms of Flower delivery
There are several types of flower delivery services. Local florist delivery involves direct hand delivery by a nearby shop. Order brokers act as middlemen, passing orders to local florists. Relay services collect orders and payments, then forward them to a florist for fulfillment. Courier delivery ships flowers in boxes from growers or warehouses, with the recipient arranging them at home.
What Flower delivery means
Flower delivery has become a common way to mark celebrations, express sympathy, or show appreciation. The rise of online platforms has made it easier to send flowers worldwide. While some florists value the reach of wire services, others feel these networks take business away from local shops. The service reflects changing technology and traditions in giving flowers.
Questions people ask about Flower delivery
What is flower delivery?
Flower delivery is a service that lets people send flowers to others, often as gifts. Orders are placed with local florists, online platforms, or brokers, and the flowers are delivered by hand or shipped by courier.
How did flower delivery start?
The first organized flower delivery service began in 1910 in the United States, when florists used telegraph messages to exchange orders. This system grew into international networks and online platforms.
What types of flower delivery services are there?
There are local florist deliveries, order brokers, relay services, and courier deliveries. Each handles orders and fulfillment differently, with some delivering by hand and others shipping flowers in boxes.
When do people use flower delivery?
People use flower delivery for birthdays, weddings, funerals, holidays, and as everyday gifts. It is a convenient way to send flowers to someone far away or to mark special occasions.
What are wire services in flower delivery?
Wire services are networks that connect florists, allowing them to exchange and fulfill orders nationally and internationally. They act as intermediaries between customers and local flower shops.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Flower delivery", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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