While the red rose is still ubiquitous on Valentine's Day, the more practical lovers believe they can be romantic on Valentine's Day without letting their wallets suffer over the high cost of a red rose on this day.

While a dozen red roses at The Warehouse is only $20, the same number of top grade long stems styled in a nice box is typically at least $200 from florists on Valentine's Day.

The huge difference in cost among regular roses, long stems and other flowers is getting on many consumers, some of whom are choosing to be more practical and creative in giving flowers.

The Dominion Post spoke to Jill Havill, owner of Juliette Florist in Kelburn, Wellington in New Zealand.

Ms. Havill said red roses were still popular but more people were buying mixed bunches of flowers.

"The price [of red roses] goes up so horrendously that they think they're getting better value for money, but then the cost of other flowers goes up as well."

A mixed bunch of flowers is $65 on normal days, but it goes up to $80 on Valentine's Day.

A dozen premium "fabulous" red roses in a white box usually cost $80 to $100, but that increased to $250 for Valentines.

"It's just the demand. You go to the [flower] auction and think, 'I'm not going to pay that', but if you don't pay it you don't get it... You can get [lower grade] ones obviously. There is something for everyone."

Ms. Havill said romantics who opt to stick to roses on Valentine's Day even as they are relatively low on cash choose the cheapest set of roses, a bunch of short stems for $50.