With Valentine’s approaching, Consumer Reports reviewed online florists to ask if a rose by any other company would smell as sweet.

Volunteers near our Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters received the flowers, then called a staffer who typically picked them up within a half-hour. We immediately measured and weighed the roses, trimmed their stems, and placed them in water with any accompanying flower food. We evaluated them over the next week.

Which rose should grace those lips that love’s own hand did make?

CR’s take. Consider ordering from a florist near the recipient (check the Web). Among rated companies, try ProFlowers, a good value, or Hallmark, which supplies a vase. Companies use FedEx, UPS, or DHL.

“Nothing says loving like flowers with a tracking number.” – Shakespeare

— CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER

A rose is a rose. Or not [Consumer Reports]

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