Local florist tackles Mother’s Day and prom season rush simultaneously

This week is a huge week for florists and not just because of Mother’s Day. There are also high schools throwing proms on the same weekend. Indio Florist on Oasis Street has been around since the 1940s and this time of year is one of the busiest seasons.

The current owner and head designer, Manuela Ortiz, has been a designer for almost 20 years and owned the business for about nine years. Indio Florist was first opened by Allen “OOP” Willard who started an empire of flower shops in the Coachella Valley, opening more shops in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.

It’s gone through a few different hands and rather than passing the store down through a family, Willard sold Indio Florist to an employee, who then sold it to Ortiz who herself was an employee. 

Ortiz said this time of year is indeed one of the busiest with the conjunction of Mother’s Day and Prom season. Valentine’s Day is just as busy, but more difficult because everyone wants their bouquets delivered on Feb. 14. This week is more spread out, because,  “Every day we’re sending flowers out,” said Ortiz.

And don’t forget prom season, when dozens of high school boys come into the shop with their moms and pictures of their dates’ dresses trying to figure out what a corsage or a boutonniere is. There were three proms last weekend, another three this weekend, and two next weekend.

“We’re making 50, 60 sets,” she remarked. Because making the corsages and boutonniere is intricate work, Ortiz said she can make three bouquets in the time it takes her to make the perfect corsage.

Ortiz helps the students pick out the perfect flowers, usually recommending white with a colorful ribbon to match the date’s dress. Other trending colors for flowers include the classic red and pink as well as purple and blue.

She sources her flowers from Los Angeles, San Diego, Ecuador, Colombia, and Holland. With tariffs in place, Ortiz said she’s already starting to notice the increase in prices on those international blooms.  

“It’s very, very, difficult,” she said. But we pray and keep going and do our best.”

Ortiz is proud of the legacy of the shop. 

“We’ve been here for a long time, and we’re planning to stay here many more years,” she said.

---