The best florists in Boston

This chain store prides itself on its high standard of customer relations, which—as its website boasts—are often passed down between generations of a family. It's not hard to see why: the staff are helpful and affable to a tee, and their elaborate, tailor-made arrangements mostly justify the extra cost (think up to $100 for most bouquets, though wedding flowers can run into the thousands).

Need further proof that the South End is London writ small? A visit to this tucked-away gem will transport you to Notting Hill. Andrea Halliday’s full-service floral enclave charms with seasonal arrangements (flowering branches, fringed poppies, peonies) as well as vertical planters and flower chandeliers. Weekly house deliveries carry SAD sufferers through the winter months, while brides revel in Halliday’s passion and attention to detail. 

If you want to treat a loved one (or even yourself—nothing wrong with that) to some ravishing blossoms without shelling out for, say, a Winston arrangement, Jayne's Flowers is your best bet. You'll get all the tip-top service of the city's fancier florists, plus the fuzzy satisfaction of supporting an independent business.

Carrie Chang draws on both her arts training at the Central Saint Martins School in London and her tutelage under floral design legends Paula Pryke and Jane Packer to fashion structural, dramatic arrangements that highlight her love of Dutch flowers like amaryllis, narcissus and tulips. Pick up her arrangements at Bee’s Knees Supply Company or visit her nearby Fort Point studio to arrange for large-scale event florals.

Hiroko Takeshita isn’t just a florist; she’s a true global artist. After training at the Ecole Francaises de Decoration Florale in Paris and practicing floral design in Osaka, Takeshita moved to Cambridge to introduce the tweed masses to high-concept, sculptural arrangements that emphasize Zen minimalism over excess. Her sophisticated wedding centerpieces and bridal bouquets will have guests green with envy.

Forget vegetables: Flower CSAs are where it’s at. The sibling-owned farm in Central Mass. offers spring, summer and fall shares in either six- or 12-week increments, with sustainably grown blooms ranging from poppies and ranunculus to tulips and dahlias. Pick them up prearranged or opt for the less-expensive bucket share to test your bouquet-making mettle.

Landscape architect Lindsey Swett will inspire your inner gardener. Her South End store stocks not just cut and potted flowers, but seeds, succulents, hanging moss, outdoor decor and all the tools necessary to cultivate your own city plot. Floral arranging and terrarium classes assure your home a sophisticated horticultural pastiche; Swett will also help you propagate the perfect window box. 

There is no greater pick-me-up than a weekly floral bouquet. Designer Caroline O’Donnell fashions loose, inviting arrangements of locally sourced blooms like ranunculus, anemones and peonies in reclaimed vessels like mason jars and urns, which she then delivers in person. For weddings, O’Donnell will go simple or dramatic depending on the desired aesthetic.

The new kid on the South End block wants to elevate your decorating game with contemporary, asymmetrical arrangements that appeal to its urbane neighbors. Plant offerings include kokedama (moss balls) and succulent and moss gardens. The retail space alone is worth a visit for the dark wood cabinetry, vertical plantings and chalkboard floral menu behind the cash register. Stay tuned for the soon-to-come coffee bar.