Tariffs could raise the cost of Mother’s Day bouquets, and not just because of flowers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Mother’s Day weekend is here, and with that comes a busy time for Lincoln florists.

Adding to the pressure from the holiday rush is the threat of higher costs due to tariffs.

“I think all florists are kind of keeping their seat belts on and waiting for whatever shoe to drop,” said Natalie Elsberry, the owner of Of the Earth Floral Designs near Nebraska Parkway and Old Cheney Road.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 80% of flowers sold in the U.S. are grown elsewhere.

Last year, the U.S. imported $2.2 billion worth of cut flowers and greenery.

Of the Earth said it has seen plant prices go up in the last couple of weeks, although how much of that is due to tariffs is unclear.

But it’s also seeing an impact from tariffs on hard goods, mainly vases.

Elsberry said the shop’s main supplier of hard goods is implementing a 25% price increase.

She said she has never seen a price hike like this before.

“COVID was hard just getting things,” Elsberry said. “But it didn’t necessarily raise prices.”

The store hasn’t had to purchase any hard goods since the new tariff was put in place.

But she expects to this summer, around the same time when they move to a new location.

Even then, the shop doesn’t anticipate raising prices.

“We’re going to take it as we come,” Elsberry said. “We try not to raise prices for our customers unless it’s necessary and we’re finding that our product is really suffering.”