Frequently Asked Questions

Delivery FAQs

What is same day delivery?

If you place your order before 3pm PST, Monday through Friday, we will guarantee delivery of your flowers and gifts on the same day. Place your order before 2pm PST on Saturday and 1pm PST Sunday for guaranteed same-day delivery. For inquiries after our cutoff times, call us at (818) 996-2603 to check if we're still able to accommodate.

What is AM Priority and PM Priority?

AM Priority: We guarantee your flowers will arrive between 9am and noon. There is an additional charge of $10.

PM Priority: We guarantee your flowers will arrive between 12PM and 5 PM. There is an additional charge of $10.

*Deliveries to a funeral service do not require AM/PM Priority.

What is Express Delivery?

Express Delivery: You can specify a two-hour window, between the hours of 9am and 5pm, for your flowers to be delivered. We guarantee your flowers will be delivered within that two-hour window. There is an additional charge of $29.99.

Same Day Express Delivery orders must be received by 1pm Monday through Sunday. A 2-hour window is required.

How will I know my delivery was made successfully?

When your order has been successfully delivered you will receive an automatic delivery confirmation via email at the address you provided. If we have any difficulties with your order, we will contact you by telephone and/or e-mail.

Why do you need my recipients phone number?

We will contact your recipient if we have any delivery issues, if we are experiencing extreme weather conditions (heat, cold) to confirm they are available to accept delivery. We will also contact your recipient to request specific delivery instructions if they are not available to accept delivery at the address you provided.

What if I entered the wrong address or other incorrect delivery information by accident?

Changes to address information or incorrect addresses after the order has been placed resulting in a re-delivery may be subject to a re-delivery fee. If you realize you entered incorrect information, please contact us as soon as possible to correct your order.

What delivery guarantees can Dottie's make for deliveries going out of town?

In the U.S and Canada, same-day delivery is generally available Monday through Saturday on orders received before 12:00pm in the recipient’s time zone (excluding holidays and peak floral delivery periods). Orders received after 12 pm in the recipient’s time zone may be delivered the next delivery day.

Most florist shops make deliveries during normal business hours (9am to 5pm), However, since we do not know each florist’s delivery schedule for a particular day, we will be unable to guarantee delivery requests for a specific time or within an hourly range unless verbally agreed. Requests may be taken for an AM or PM deliver with a verbal confirmation, but they cannot be guaranteed without an additional fee required for special delivery. Deliveries to a funeral service are generally an exception to this rule.

What happens if the recipient is not home/at work when the delivery is attempted?

The delivery driver may choose to leave the arrangement with a neighbor or coworker and attach a note to the recipient’s door stating who accepted the arrangement on their behalf. Or if the area is secure, to leave the arrangement at the door or in a safe place.

The delivery driver may also leave a note on the recipient’s door asking the recipient to call the florist’s shop and arrange a convenient time for pick up or re-delivery. There may be a fee for re-delivery.

If the recipient is at work all day, we suggest sending the arrangement to the workplace.

Can I still have flowers delivered today?

We do offer same-day delivery on orders placed on our website or over the phone by 3 pm Monday thru Sunday.

We do reserve the right to cut off same day delivery at any time and any day without notice.

What makes our flower delivery service so great?

DELIVERY CONFIRMATION: Our drivers personally confirm their deliveries as soon as they're able. The confirmation will tell you what time your gift was delivered or who it was left with, a service FedEx doesn't even offer. These confirmations may be slightly delayed at major floral holidays due to the high demands put on our personnel during these times. Of course, you must provide the correct contact information for this service to work.
FLOWER-FITTED DELIVERY VAN: At Dottie's, we have fitted our vans with a grid system and insulation to guarantee that your arrangement gets to its destination cool and in one piece. Transporting flowers can be a lot like trying to transport an upside-down bowling pin, only the bowling pin is filled with water and is made of glass. That is why our drivers are trained to pack our arrangements in a specific and secure manner.
SUNDAY DELIVERY TO FUNERAL HOMES: Many traditional flower shops aren't even open on Sunday. Not only are we open on Sunday we deliver to all the funeral homes in our delivery area. We believe the best way to insure your flowers arrive as fresh as possible is to deliver them on the day they are needed.
FROM OUR DOOR TO YOURS: Your gift never leaves our hands until it is in yours. Our delivery drivers actually deliver your gift from our door to yours. Seems obvious, doesn't it? Well, it’s not. Many online flower shops you may find operate as order gatherers and simply outsource their orders to whoever will take them. At Dottie's your order stays solely with us from online order to processing, designing, and ultimately delivery.

How much is local flower delivery?

We deliver fresh flowers, roses, planters and occasion flowers to most of the northern Los Angeles area and parts of Ventura counrty. When ordering online we charge $14.95 for each delivery (does not include express delivery or long distance local delivery or holiday delivery fee) in our local delivery area.
In compliance with state and federal tax laws, sales tax will be added to your order where applicable.
Please make sure that your order information is accurate and complete in order to avoid delivery delays.

Do you deliver flowers outside of the Los Angeles Area

We can deliver to locations outside of Northern Los Angeles but an additional fee will be added on to your order. Delivery times and dates are limited on non-local deliveries.

How do I check the status of an order?

Holiday Deliveries:

During the busiest times of the year we ask for your patience with getting your gift delivered. We make every effort to get all our deliveries out in a timely fashion and turn down orders when we reach maximum capacity. The more we have to stop and identify the status of an order the more it can slow us down.

Please remember that in order to meet demand at the busy holiday season we have contract drivers that come to help deliver your package. It can take some time to identify which contract driver has your gift and when your gift may be made delivered. It is also important to keep in mind that unless you paid for express delivery we do not consider your delivery late until after 5 p.m. for businesses and 6 p.m. for residential deliveries. If you still feel the need to contact us it is usually best to contact the store that you placed your order with to obtain the status of an order.

One of the services that we provide is in driveway delivery confirmation. We do our best to contact you the sender from the location the delivery was made to give you the most up to the minute status of your order. Once again we use part time delivery help at the holidays so this service is not always executed with the precision that our full time drivers often provide. E-mail confirmation of deliveries is also available but often comes later in the day once all the deliveries have been made.

Non holiday delivery status:

If you feel the need to contact us it is usually best to contact the store that you placed your order with to obtain the status of an order. You can reach us at (818) 996-2603. It is important to keep in mind that unless you paid for express delivery we do not consider your delivery late until after 5 p.m. for businesses and 6 p.m. for residential deliveries.

One of the services that we provide is in driveway delivery confirmation. We do our best to contact you the sender from the location the delivery was made to give you the most up to the minute status of your order. we do require a working phone number for this service to work. If you provided us with an e-mail address then you will also receive e-mail confirmation of your delivery once the driver returns to the shop.

Orders placed online:

Please wait at least one hour, after placing an order online, before contacting us to allow sufficient time for the information to be processed.

For faster order processing place an order directly with one of our stores or call (818) 996-2603

What is your local delivery area?

Our local delivery is of North Los Angeles including the entirety of the San Fernando Valley, most of the Hollywood hills, parts of West L.A., Santa Monica, Brentwood and Westwood, Malibu and parts of west Ventura County

We can deliver anywhere else in the state or country thru our network of florists.

Do you deliver flowers internationally?

We will not be able to process international orders via our website. We would be happy to process the orders over the phone, by calling (818) 996-2603. There are additional fees associated with international orders. In addition, you will want to place your order at least 3 days in advance of when you would like it sent. There are no weekend deliveries.

What is Cupids express delivery?

Cupids express delivery is an option to have your gift delivered by a certain time of day. There is an additional fee for this service and the cost depends on how quickly you need your gift delivered. The cost will also depend on the time of day that you place your order. You will have an option at check out to choose the express delivery options that are available to you.

What happens if no one is home?

We have really good drivers that we empower to make decisions regarding what to do when no one is home. Every situation is unique and is dependent on weather, neighbors or business situations and what kind of shelter is available.

In some cases they will leave the flowers at the door or on a porch.

We also allow them to attempt a neighbor to take the flowers.

Sometimes we have to deliver flowers before a person is at work, (ie. nightshift employees) many times we will leave the arrangement at a front desk or at their specific office.

Sometimes they have no choice but to bring the flowers back to the flower shop. In that situation we will make arrangements with the recipient to make sure they get their flowers.

In all cases it is the drivers decision as to what to do. Yes, sometimes they make a mistake, however they try to make the right decision.

We will leave a door tag with what we have done on recipients door if we are unable to deliver the flowers to a person

Flower Care FAQs

What is wrong with the water in a vase when it turns yellow and cloudy?

This is a natural sign that bacteria are growing in the water. Bacteria can clog stems and shorten the vase life of flowers, so keep the water clear at all times to ensure the longevity of your blooms. If your water starts to turn cloudy, immediately empty the vase and add fresh water, preferably mixed with the floral food provided by your florist. Re-cut the stems with a sharp knife under warm water before placing them in the vase of fresh water.

Is it possible to revive a wilted rose?

Sometimes. If a rose wilts prematurely, remove it from the arrangement and try the following easy tip to perk it up. Fill a sink with warm water. Lay the rose horizontally in the water bath and cut the stem (about 1") with a sharp knife under the warm water. Leave the rose in the bath for about two hours and let the water cool. This process can work wonders, but if the rose is already past its vase life it will not revive.

How do you lengthen the life of your flower arrangement?

A little extra care can make a big difference for any size flower arrangement or fresh flower bouquet.

Most floral arrangements last 4-7 days or longer, depending on the flowers used and the care they receive. The Society of American Florists provides these tips for longer-lasting, more vibrant flowers:

For floral arrangements:

Keep the vase filled (or floral foam soaked) with water containing a flower food provided by your florist. Flower foods make flowers last longer but it is important to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet. Most packets are to be mixed with either a pint or a quart of water. Flower foods should not be diluted with more water than is specified on the packet.
If the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it entirely with properly mixed flower food solution. If possible, re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Be sure to use a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems. Immediately place the stems into solution.
Keep flowers in a cool spot (65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit), away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes flowers to dehydrate.) Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.

For loose bunches or boxed flowers:

Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them in a flower food solution. Don't forget how important it is to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet.
Fill a clean (washed with a detergent or antibacterial cleaning solution), deep vase with water and add a flower food from your florist.
Remove leaves that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water will promote bacterial microbial growth that may limit water uptake by the flower.
Re-cut stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife. Place the flowers in the vase solution you've prepared.
If you purchase loose flowers for your own arrangements you should also consider these tips:
When selecting flowers, look for flowers with upright, firm petals and buds beginning to open. Yellow, spotted or drooping leaves are signs of age.
When using woody stems and branches (such as quince, forsythia or lilac), cut the stem with sharp pruning shears. Place them in warm water containing fresh flower food to promote flower opening.

How do you extend the life of your plant? (Green thumb not required)

Not only are green and flowering plants a great enhancement to any home or office decor, they are also beneficial to your health. The results of a study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) show that common houseplants are powerful, natural air cleaners - all the more reason why you want to keep your plants healthy with the proper care.

Most plants come with care instructions specified for the type of plant. The Society of American Florists provides these additional general guidelines to keep most green houseplants thriving:

Keep plants in medium-light locations - out of direct sunlight
Natural light is best, but some plants can also thrive in office fluorescent light. Most flowering potted plants should be placed in areas with the most light in order to maintain good flower color and promote the maximum number of flowers to open. Foliage plants will do well under lower light levels and can be placed in areas providing reduced light.
Plant soil should be kept moist at all times
Plants should not be allowed to dry out or wilt. Be careful to avoid overwatering - do not allow plants to stand in water. Avoid wetting plant leaves.
Avoid excessive heat or cold
Plants should be kept in a cool spot (between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit) for best performance. They should be kept away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators. (Appliances like televisions give off heat, which causes plants to dehydrate.)

What is the best way to take care of a flower arrangement?

It depends on how they are packaged:

If you receive flowers in a container with floral foam, be certain the container is full of water every day. The water should be treated with the floral food provided by your florist. Using your finger, feel under the greens for a place where water can be added. Or you can pour water slowly into the center of the arrangement, keeping a finger in the container to gauge the water level.
If you receive flowers in a vase , check to be sure the water is always clear. If the water turns cloudy, empty it and add fresh water mixed with the floral food provided by your florist. If possible, re-cut the stems with a sharp knife before placing them in the fresh water.
If you receive flowers in a box or tissue , remove all of the foliage that falls below the water line, then cut the stems with a sharp knife in a sink full of warm water. Be sure to cut the stems under the water and place them immediately into a vase of warm water mixed with the floral food provided by your florist.

No matter what type of arrangement you have, it is important to keep your flowers off of televisions, appliances and heating/cooling units. You should also keep them away from hot or cold drafts and out of direct sunlight.

Since flowers like sunshine, should I put my arrangement in the sun?

No. Growing flowers require sunshine for maturation, but cut flowers will fade much faster if exposed to heat and direct sunlight. To keep flowers fresh longer, place them in a location away from sun and drafts.

Flower Processing FAQs

Do you make deliveries on Sundays or on holidays?

We are currently closed on Sunday. If a delivery needs to be made on a Sunday, care will be taken to make the delivery the day before.

Do you make international deliveries?

Yes! Due to the various time zones between the U.S and other continents, same day delivery is usually not available for orders going outside the U.S. You must call us to place an international delivery order; you cannot do so online.

What if I need to cancel my order?

Local Delivery: Your order is processed the moment we receive it during business hours. If you need to cancel a local delivery cancellations must be made prior to delivery.

Out-of-town Delivery: To cancel an out-of-town delivery it is sometimes very difficult to get a cancellation request completed due to the various time zones of our network. An out-of-town delivery cancellation must be done prior to delivery and in all cases within 24 hours of placing your order. Any cancellation requests after this period cannot be guaranteed.

Do you ever have to make substitutions in flowers from what is shown?

Due to various seasonal and regional conditions, and the variety of unplanned issues courtesy of Mother Nature, availability of some flowers may be very limited. Also, specific flower varieties or colors may not be available for delivery on a specified day. Therefore, it is possible the exact bouquet pictured or requested may not be available for delivery.

In this event, we will substitute with flowers of equal or greater value and beauty. Every effort will be made to maintain size, shape, and overall color schemes of an arrangement, but there may be some variance due to designer interpretations. In single variety arrangements, variety will take preference over color. Or goal is your complete satisfaction!