One of the best and most romantic secrets in Westchester – Wegmans’ flowers

One of the best and most romantic buys in Westchester County – two dozen long-stem roses at Wegmans in Harrison for $22. Here a new bouquet of red, white and pink beauties (a favorite) and a blooming one that is already a week old. Photographs by Georgette Gouveia.

With Galentine’s Day (Tuesday, Feb. 13) and Valentine’s Day (Wednesday, Feb. 14) trending, we thought we’d let you in on one of the best places to shop for floral tributes – Wegmans in Harrison.

The floral department has a variety of seasonal plants and flowers and floral arrangements for all occasions, of course. But hands down, one of its best buys is a bouquet of 24 long-stem Ecuadorian roses for $22. That’s less than $1 a rose.

The bouquets come in all one color, such as the traditional red or white, tinged with a second color (yellow with red tips) or a variety of colors. Right now we’re loving the red, white and pink bouquets, as red and white, of course, make pink. The flowers last more than a week, with some blooms lasting for two weeks.

The store gets deliveries late Friday and early Saturday so shop then for optimum freshness. But be aware that for Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to visit before Feb. 9, when prices will soar. Still, it’s fun to run into Weggies the weekend before Valentine’s as the store looks as if the Aalsmeer Flower Auction in the Netherlands set up a branch in an American grocery store. It’s just an intoxicating scent and sight.

Another reason to shop early and often this year: Galentine’s Day, marking female friendships, is also Mardi Gras – which means that Valentine’s Day is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.