Cathy Smith had barely a moment to speak Monday afternoon as she filled out order forms and helped customers find their way around fragrant blooms and dizzying arrangements.

It comes as no surprise, of course, that the day before Valentine's Day is pretty busy in the flower shop, and Ridgefield Flowers delivers hundreds of orders to loved ones all across town.

It also comes as no surprise that red roses are the most popular flower for the fourteenth of February, according to Smith. She said there are many orders for mixed arrangements, though, including lilies, tulips, daisies and hydrangeas.

While many might imagine a flower shop the day before Valentine's Day filled with husbands or boyfriends running out of time, Smith said she's seen men get better these days at ordering ahead of schedule.

There have also been more women buying flowers for their husbands recently, she said, though it's still unusual.

Having owned the shop since 1989, Smith knows the business.

"It's a very last-minute holiday," she said, scribbling an order amidst scattered petals.

The red roses, Smith said, come mostly from South America, but the flowers come from all around the world.

A small-town flower shop sees heavy competition from online businesses these days, but Smith and her coworkers are proud of what they do.

"A fantastic service, a superior product and an artistic flair with talent," Smith and her coworkers said almost in unison with cheeky smiles. "We've got a really great staff."

Heading out the door was Erica Strittmatter, a Ridgefield High School student, with a vase of flowers in her arms -- many more vases awaited to be delivered.

"We've got lots of people calling," Smith said. "It's a busy time."