With Valentine’s Day approaching, there’s one thing the flower buyer shouldn’t forget.

Preparation.

Know what the recipient likes and doesn’t like.

If the buyer doesn’t know, that’s OK.

“The professional florist always has a suggestion,” said Chris Downing, owner of Hart Floral in Modesto.

It’s that time of the year. Flowers shops are buzzing with business. Customers are coming in with orders and questions. And colors of red, pink and white are seemingly popping up everywhere, since, according to Downing, they are most associated with Valentine’s Day.

“Red roses are still the No. 1 choice,” Downing said, “but with an educated flower buyer, there are often times preferred flowers selected. We find that an over-the-top wow arrangement is often selected to really impressed his/her loved one. This often includes roses and another elegant flower, like star-fighter lilies.”

It’s best, Downing suggests, to speak to a local florist in person. That way, a buyer can see what is offered and assist in the flower arrangements. A florist will offer insight and suggestions, ranging from flower type to color. These days, however, florists understandably are busy. A phone call might not suffice.

If there are more questions regarding flower buying, the Internet helps, too.

For example, passiongrowers.com offers insight on what each color means. Red roses “are the traditional symbol for love, romance, and will always be a way to say, ‘I love you.’ The red rose also reflected beauty and perfection.” As for pink, it can be described with such words as “admiration, gentleness, grace gladness, joy and sweetness,” while also conveying “happiness, gracefulness and admiration.”

And white is “the purist of colors, represents innocence, purity and charm.”

There are other explanations of various other colors from cream to green to salmon.

But Downing warns flower buyers to not rely so heavily on the Internet, adding to “make sure they are using a local florist and not just an Internet site. If you go to the About page, it should have their address in your local town or the town you are sending flowers to.”