The best flower shops in Shanghai

Annie's Dream Florist

Owner Annie Wang has been working with top florists in the UK, Sweden, Hong Kong and Taiwan for over a decade, and has sorted flowers for the likes of Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari and Audi. 

For something over-the-top, Annie's arranges a large bouquet with Ferrero Rocher – BYO chocolate (1,200-1,500RMB; preorder only). Another showy choice are the mixed flowers in a glass (800RMB), which live for three years and come in red, pink, blue and purple (pre-order at least two weeks in advance).

Coming back down to earth, the staff are very friendly and there's a full English service for ordering. 

Rose stats 20RMB per stem; bouquets from 200RMB.

LA ROSE Flower Shop

This cute French florist imports its velvety roses from all over – with flowers from Kunming, Holland, Colombia and Kenya. If it's something romantic you're after, flowers can come in heart-shaped bouquets, boxes and stands, ranging from 380RMB to 2,000RMB. If you're looking to splash the cash, there's a deal for a bouquet of 99 multi-coloured roses (1,688RMB), which can also be bought in all white, red, or pink. If you think that's too clichéd, Au Nom also has carnations and tulips both at 15RMB per stem.

Rose stats 10RMB per stem; 300-600RMB for a medium-sized bouquet.

The Beast

Nothing says 'I love you' quite so lavishly as a bouquet from The Beast. Starting off as a small, curated e-flower business on Weibo, before developing into to an e-boutique, The Beast is now a hella fancy lifestyle concept store with brick-and-mortar shops across China. Specialising in occasion bouquets, flowers from The Beast are a real treat, but they don't come cheap – arrangements start from around 650RMB for a small bunch or box, to 9,999RMB for a 199 rose bouquet. The online store also offers the full selection of flowers and a wider range of luxury gifts still, ranging from Marc Jacob's perfume to Delbôve and Lancôme cosmetics.

Rose stats Single roses aren't available, but flower boxes start from 680RMB and bouquets from 880RMB.

Hongqiao Bird and Flower Market

On a budget but still want to express thanks, love and appreciation to your loved ones? Hongqiao market is perhaps the liveliest 'florist' you'll ever visit, and you certainly won't be needing to empty those pockets with a wide range of wallet-friendly bouquets. Naturally, the best shrubs and larger plants are outside, but the indoor section has widely spaced walkways and smells wonderful from the different scents of the flowers.

Rose stats Varies from shop to shop.

July's Flower

Focusing on art lifestyle and luxury experience, July's is the place to get classy, creative flower arrangements – either at the physical store on Yanqing Lu or via the WeChat shop (ID: july-7garden). Bouquets range from 250RMB to 520RMB, while more adventurous floral gifts can reach up to 850RMB. July's also offers preserved flowers and other flower-related products such as print bags and boxes.

Rose stats 15RMB per stem; 377RMB for a medium sized bouquet.

The Graces Floral

If you want the best of the best, Graces Floral is one of the top florists in town, with premium flowers and imaginative arrangements. Owner Diana Jim, a trained florist who previously worked in advertising, explains: ‘our roses last three weeks compared to a week or so in most places, and have longer stems. But the main thing is the quality of the flower – a good rose should be wide, open and round, with thick velvety petals. All the swirls should be going in the same direction.’

The shop does custom bouquets using original arrangements and colour contrasts, also using equally high-grade tulips (600-780RMB) and (from early April) peonies. Bouquets come in all sizes and they even take requests. For roses, pick between flowers imported from Ecuador (50RMB per stem) or locally grown (20RMB per stem).

Rose stats 20-50RMB per stem; bouquets from 880RMB.

Hua Li Wang

Fleurop

Just because you or your mum are living in different countries, that's no excuse to skip the Mother's Day spoiling. Fleurop's international network of florists can deliver a bouquet to almost anywhere in the world in just a few hours. Bouquets start from around 250RMB for a small basket that includes freesias, roses and carnations, with more substantial arrangements for around 625RMB.