Couple Friday’s blanket of snow with the fact that Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, and Rome’s florists have been nearly overwhelmed rescheduling deliveries.

“Most women would rather receive flowers at work. It’s a pride thing. It’s just not as meaningful when they are delivered at home,” said Mark Brewer at Ransom’s Floral Co., 5 E. Fourth Ave.

Brewer said that with county schools closing Friday, he spent much of the morning on the phone with both senders and recipients, trying to figure out if they wanted the deliveries at home Friday or take a chance on the snow for delivery today. Brewer also had a wave of Saturday deliveries, which he tried to move up before the snow set in.

Lawanna Trotter, owner of Novella’s Flower Shoppe, 2036 Maple St., said she had five trucks out on the road Friday trying to get flowers delivered before all of the

snow moved it.

The mere fact that the special day falls on a Sunday typically means fewer flowers will be sold to begin with.

Fred Holcombe at Shorter Heights Florist, 402 Shorter Ave., said, “When it comes on a weekend, florists always hurt. People go out of town to dinner and don’t bother with the flowers.”

Holcombe said he always cuts back his flower orders when Valentine’s Day falls on the weekend. The economy has also taken a toll.

Holcombe said, “Valentine’s Day will be 50 percent of what it should be.” He added that for the year, his business is off close to 60 percent.

Brewer said that while business is down, he’s holding his own downtown.

“Most of my people are retired. So when I don’t need them, they’re OK staying at home. When I do need them, they’re here, and they know what they’re doing,” said Brewer.

Brewer said he felt like Valentine’s Day sales would be impacted more by the fact that it falls on Sunday as opposed to being impacted by the sour economy.

Red roses remain the favorite in Rome, though Trotter said she’s sending out lots of pink, yellow, even purple roses. Brewer said some folks are ordering mixed vases, while others are asking for tulips.

Trotter and Brewer both indicated that they would be open on Sunday, Brewer saying that he wasn’t sure about being able to deliver on Sunday but that people would be able to come and pick up flowers.