What to Expect When Buying Flowers from a Wholesale Florist

At Harold’s Wholesale Florist, we sell fresh cut flowers, greens, plants, and floral supplies to floral professionals, event planners, display designers, businesses, hobbyists, and do-it-yourself customers.

We are a wholesale floral warehouse, not a traditional retail flower shop. That means we do not specialize in finished bouquets designed to convey a specific sentiment, such as birthday arrangements, sympathy flowers, or anniversary bouquets. That is the role of a retail florist.

Instead, we provide the flowers, foliage, containers, supplies, tools, and accessories used to create those arrangements.

Wholesale Flowers Are Sold in Professional Lots

When you purchase cut flowers from Harold’s Wholesale Florist, they are typically sold in bunches or bulk units, not by the individual stem.

Depending on the flower variety, a bunch may contain:

10 stems
15 stems
25 stems
More than 25 stems
Or, in some cases, flowers may be sold by weight or by the grower’s pack

Think of a bunch of flowers the same way you might think of a bag of potatoes, a bag of radishes, or a case of produce. They are sold in a raw, professional format and may need to be cleaned, hydrated, processed, and prepared before they are ready to design with.

Flowers Require Preparation

Fresh cut flowers are perishable agricultural products. When they arrive, they often need proper care before they can be used in arrangements or event work.

This may include:

Removing protective packaging
Cleaning stems
Removing lower leaves
Recutting stems
Hydrating the flowers
Placing them in the correct floral solution
Allowing time for the flowers to open or condition properly

Some flowers are ready to use quickly, while others need time to hydrate, open, or reach their best stage for design work.

Upon request, we can provide care and handling information to help you properly prepare your flowers before you begin designing.

A Broken Stem Does Not Always Mean a Bad Bunch

Because wholesale flowers are sold in bulk and are handled as agricultural products, it is not unusual for a bunch to occasionally have a damaged or broken stem.

A single broken stem in a bunch does not usually mean the entire bunch is defective or that there is a claim. This is part of purchasing flowers in wholesale quantities and in their raw form.

Our team works hard to provide fresh, high-quality flowers, but customers purchasing wholesale flowers should understand that some natural variation, minor imperfections, and normal handling damage can occur.

Our Website Shows Current Products and Inventory

Our website lists many of the products we stock and sell, including fresh flowers, foliage, plants, and floral supplies.

The website also gives you access to current on-hand inventory, so you can see what is available at our warehouse.

For in-stock items, you may place an order online for same-day pickup. In many cases, we can have your order ready in as little as one hour.

Planning for an Event or Future Date

If you are planning flowers for a wedding, party, corporate event, display, or other future occasion, our website is a helpful place to begin. You can use it to review flower types, general availability, and estimated pricing.

However, flower prices and availability change based on season, market conditions, weather, freight, holidays, and grower supply.

For event work, the best method is to:

Review the products you are interested in.
Request a quote for the date you need the flowers.
Confirm pricing and availability.
Place your order in advance.

Special Orders and Imported Flowers

Harold’s Wholesale Florist can source far more than what is listed on our website or currently in stock.

We receive shipments several times a week from growers and suppliers around the world. We are direct importers of fresh floral products and can often source specialty flowers, unusual colors, premium varieties, and large quantities for events or professional work.

For special-order flowers, we recommend ordering at least two weeks before you need them.

That time allows for:

Sourcing the product
Confirming price and availability
Harvesting or selecting the flowers
Shipping
Customs clearance
Agricultural inspection
Delivery to our warehouse
Receiving and processing
Hydration and preparation for pickup

Once the flowers arrive, we begin the hydration and conditioning process using the appropriate floral solutions and handling methods.

New to DIY Event Flowers? We Recommend a Trial Run

If you are planning to design your own flowers for a wedding, party, or large event, we strongly recommend doing a trial run first.

Order a small quantity of flowers about a month before your event and practice your designs. This will help you understand:

How the flowers open
How much time does preparation takes
How many stems may you need
What tools and supplies are required
Whether your design mechanics will work
Testing your cold storage solution
How much labor will be involved?
Whether the final look matches your expectations

Designing event flowers can be rewarding, but it takes planning, time, workspace, tools, and proper flower care. A trial run is the best way to make sure you are prepared.

Floral Supplies Are Available Too

In addition to fresh flowers and foliage, we also sell many of the supplies used by floral professionals, including:

Vases and containers
Floral foam
Floral tape
Wire
Ribbon
Design tools
Knives and cutters
Buckets
Event supplies
Everyday floral accessories

Whether you are a professional florist or a DIY customer, we can help you get the products and supplies needed for your project.

Wholesale Floral Buying Is Different

Buying from a wholesale florist is different from ordering a finished arrangement from a retail florist.

At Harold’s Wholesale Florist, you are purchasing the raw floral products and supplies used to create arrangements, displays, bouquets, centerpieces, and event décor.

We are here to help you access fresh flowers, professional floral products, and knowledgeable support so you can create something beautiful.