King West Flowers
Dealing with the annual wave of last-minute Valentine’s Day shoppers is a cinch for Ellen Lewinberg, who has earned a reputation for churning out intricate arrangements on a moment’s notice. Frantic, forgetful customers will be put at ease with a rush delivery service that will have the doorbell ringing a mere two hours from the time of ordering. For February 14, Lewinberg recommends an elegant cymbidium orchid bolstered with greens ($60) or a more traditional arrangement of 12 luscious tulips ($50, delivery from $10). 720 King St. W. (at Bathurst), 416-203-1258, www.kingwestflowers.com.

Midge
Pam Kosoy strikes a rare balance between unpretentious, impressive and cheap at this flower destination. The shop is known for its creative interpretations of the single-stem bouquet, often centred on an individual hyacinth or gerbera daisy. Inspired by designer Jeff Leatham’s avant-garde leaf wraps crafted for Paris’s George V hotel, Midge’s Valentine’s arrangements showcase dendrobium, cymbidium and mokara orchids (orchid leaf wraps from $20, custom arrangements from $15, delivery from $13). 651 Mount Pleasant Rd. (at Hillsdale Ave. E.), 416-488-0875, www.midge.ca.

Blossoms Rosedale
Rivers Randscombe’s prides herself on the pristine, unassuming arrangements that leave her shop. The shop’s ethos caters to the generous pragmatist: why give a gift that will last only a week or two? Decadence is the motif of Randscombe’s Valentine’s arrangement, which neatly combines skimmia berries in shades of burgundy, with pink heather and jewel-toned cluster roses in a silver mint-julep cup ($65, custom arrangements from $75, delivery from $8). 1 Rowanwood Ave. (at Yonge), 416-960-8903, www.blossomsrosedale.com.

The Rose Emporium
This Annex florist’s bountiful supply of its titular flower could enthuse even the least conventional admirer. Owner Justina Flores imports roses in dozens of shades from Ecuador twice weekly to ensure her selection is consistently sumptuous. Her variety for Valentine’s Day covers the spectrum: white, cherry red, candy floss pink, and the shop’s signature peach hue lend themselves to a classic bouquet, while chartreuse, mauve or a mélange make for a more adventurous cluster. Valentine’s special: a dozen roses for $36 (custom arrangements from $50, delivery from $10.50). 204 Dupont St. (at Huron St.), 416-922-9909, www.roseemporiumltd.com.

Pink Twig Floral Boutique
Shoppers may be familiar with the eccentric arrangements of Tanya List and Amy Saleh, whose work has graced the pages of House & Home and Weddingbells. The co-owners of this Little Italy shop are known to incorporate such improbable props as pumpkins into their hydrangea and monstera creations. The crafty theme continues on Valentine’s Day as the two artful florists fill pink Chinese food boxes with hyacinths, freesias, tulips, pink and red roses, and forsythias. List and Saleh will adorn each box with gems and crystals and invite buyers on a budget to bring in decals from home. Traditional Valentines with a twist (custom arrangements from $10, delivery from $10). 711 College St. (at Montrose Ave.), 416-537-7465, www.pinktwig.ca.

Also in the Valentine’s Day Guide:
• How to spend a romantic night on the town
• The city’s most sinful chocolates
• Six best restaurants for romance
• Toronto’s most extravagant dining