With Valentines Day nearly upon us, florists and local growers are in the thick of their busiest time of year.
But while local flower production is up, disruption when it comes to imported roses have some hopeless romantics worried about getting their hands on a bouquet and how much it might cost.
It's pretty much a fact - nothing says I love you like roses.
But with Valentines Day just around the corner, there have been concerns there might not be enough of the 'flower of love' to go around.
"There are plenty of domestic roses around, what’s happened is that a couple of imported shipments have been cancelled, so that’s causing a little bit of distress in the industry," says Blooming Hill Flowers managing director Frans van Dorsser.
Blooming Hills Flowers is the largest local rose grower in the country.
But Dorsser says the market’s reliance on imported roses from places like India and Columbia has grown - and that’s why delays and disruptions can have an impact.
"Prices are high, I'm not going to deny that, and I feel sorry for our florists, I do - florists are very important to us," Dorsser says.
Valentines is of course the busiest time of year for the flower industry, one that hasn't had it easy through lockdowns. But florists are keen to let buyers know they have different options available.
So does it have to be a red-rose to equal true love?
"Probably roses, they're my favourite flower," one person said.
"Anything! Could be anything out of a garden, as long as it's not stolen I'm fine," a flower lover said.
"My parents had roses everywhere, so they're special," another person said.
"If there’s no red roses, buy a gerbera or buy a lily - you know, there’s plenty of flowers around and local production this year is up," Dorsser says.
So hopeless romantics, don't panic just yet. There are plenty of floral options, you won't have to get too creative.
