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Omaha Magazine

Every Rose Has Its (Wacky) Thorn

Dec 27, 2018 01:59PM ● By Justine Young

Omaha floral shops have deep roots, with dozens planted throughout the metro. The annual sequence of holidays, weddings, and romantic flings keep local florists busy. Their busiest time of the year, by far, is Valentine’s Day. Although every good florist knows to stock up in time for Feb. 14, even the most seasoned pros can be caught off guard by the occasional strange request. The following local florists shared some of their most memorable—sometimes wacky—requests from customers.


Corum’s Flowers & Gifts Florist: Pam Cyboron Address: 639 Fifth Ave., Council Bluffs Phone: 712-322-7355 Website: corumsflowers.com Pam Cyboron distinctly recalls one particular customer’s unusual order—a request for a bouquet of dead flowers tied together neatly with a ribbon. The customer wanted a theater-themed gift for her husband, who was acting in a stage performance of the play Oklahoma! Cyboron signed the card “Poor Jud Fry” just in time for opening night.


Taylor’s Flower Shop & Greenhouse Florist: Tracy Taylor Address: 12310 K Plaza, Suite 108 Phone: 402-733-2322 Website: taylorsflowers24hours.com

Tracy Taylor’s typical day often involves answering the phone and hearing a familiar voice: Mr. Secret Admirer. This person makes regular orders at Taylor’s Flower Shop & Greenhouse, and he always keeps his identity anonymous. After a year and a half of deliveries with unsigned cards, Tracy is still wondering the identity of this most loyal of customers.


Erin Ren Photography

Blooms Florist: Brandy Schreiner Address: 10923 Prairie Brook Road Phone: 402-991-2300 Website: omahablooms.com

After nearly 20 years in the floral industry, Schreiner has really seen and heard it all. Especially since she received the most memorable and emotional order of her career just last year—a beautiful arrangement for a couple’s upcoming wedding day. The catch? Schreiner was the mother of the bride.


The Purple Orchid Florist: Rachael Sjn Address: 1503 Galvin Road S., Suite 2 Phone: 402-609-0900 Website: purpleorchidflowers.com

This shop gets it fair share of weird requests (including a bride who brought in used shotgun shells and asked for boutonnieres to be made with them). But the sweetest order Sjn has ever received? After an Air Force member was relocated from Omaha to a base in San Antonio, he contacted The Purple Orchid with a special request: one teddy bear dressed in Air Force garb holding a bouquet of flowers for his sweetheart back home in Nebraska.


All Seasons Floral & Gifts Florist: Dana Bean Address: 16939 Wright Plaza Phone: 402-991-9300 Website: everbloomfloral.net

Dana Bean knows that when Valentine’s Day is coming up, she can expect to see all kinds of customers in her shop. From those composing poems and ordering traditional bouquets of red roses, to guys quoting lines from The Bachelor (“Will you accept this rose?”), and even last-minute customers in need of one-of-a-kind arrangements. The weirdest order Bean gets every year? The guy who requests a gorgeous bouquet delivery for his wife…and another for his girlfriend. 


This article was printed in the January/February 2019 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

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