HILLCREST FLORAL AND GIFTS

5204 Overland Road, Boise, 345-5151

www.hillcrestfloral.net

You have to hand it to a shop that knows its market. Hillcrest Floral has been providing wedding bouquets, wrist corsages, red, white and blue casket sprays, Valentine’s Day roses and more for Boiseans since 1974.

Nick Harrigfeld has owned Hillcrest Floral for three decades. His mother owned it before him. A couple of the floral designers on staff have worked there for more than 25 years. Anyone who’s worked there a shorter time — like a single decade — is considered a “new kid,” said one staffer.

Hillcrest Floral also snagged 2011’s Best Florist crown. It has just one location but serves Boise, Meridian, Eagle and Star.

The talented designers at Hillcrest have honed their skills to stay current and offer something for every wallet. As one example among many, prom flowers range from the adorable white chrysanthemum “Country Romance” boutonniere — easy on the bank account at $5.95 — to the “Fragrant Gardenia” nosegay with a price of $62.95 for big prom spenders.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Boise At Its Best Flowers, 851 S. Vista Ave., Boise, 342-4885, www.boiseatitsbestflowers.com

• Hope Blooms Flowers & Things, 391 W. State St., Eagle, 939-4022, www.hopebloomsflowers.com

• John Carpenter, Florist at Edwards, 4106 W. Sand Creek St., Boise, 342-0588, www.edwardsgreenhouse.com

• Botanica, 607 E. State St., Eagle, 297-7197, www.botanicafloristidaho.com