Flower Care, Delivery & Ordering FAQs | Poppy’s of Thirroul

Do you offer same day flower delivery?

Yes. We offer same day flower delivery across Wollongong and the Illawarra for orders placed before 1pm Monday - Friday and 12pm Saturday for Saturday and Sunday oders.

Orders placed after this time will usually be delivered the following business day.


What areas do you deliver to?

Poppy’s of Thirroul delivers flowers across Wollongong and the surrounding Illawarra region, including Thirroul, Austinmer, Coledale, Scarborough, Wombarra, Stanwell Park, Stanwell Tops, Helensburgh, Bulli, Woonona, Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Balgownie, Towradgi, North Wollongong, Wollongong and nearby suburbs.

If you are unsure whether we deliver to your area, please contact us and we will be happy to help.


What time will my flowers be delivered?

Deliveries are made during our normal delivery hours throughout the day.

Deliveries occur after 1pm until 6pm normally.  This allows for our same day deliver cut off times and we find that most recipients are home in the afternoon.

While we cannot guarantee an exact delivery time, we always do our best to deliver flowers as promptly as possible.

For more information please see our Delivery Policy page.


Can I request a specific delivery time?

We cannot always guarantee specific delivery times as deliveries are planned based on location and delivery runs. However, if you have a special request please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate it.

Please note that priority will go to Weddings, Funerals, work and corporate commitments. 


Can I order flowers in advance for a future delivery date?

Yes. You can place your order in advance and select your preferred delivery date during checkout. This is helpful for occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations.


What happens if no one is home when the flowers are delivered?

If the recipient is not home, our driver will use their discretion to leave the flowers in a safe place at the property where possible, or contact the recipient if required. Please provide the correct contact number for the order so we can organise with the recipient the delivery or notify them of the delivery. 


Do you deliver to hospitals, workplaces and funeral homes?

Yes. We can deliver flowers to all of our local hospitals, workplaces, aged care facilities and funeral homes across Wollongong and the Illawarra. Please ensure the recipient details are correct when placing your order. 


Will my flowers arrive fresh?

Yes. Our flowers are carefully prepared and delivered with a water pack around the stems to help keep them fresh and hydrated during transport.


Can I include a message with my flowers?

Yes. You can include a personal message with your order, which will be printed on a card and delivered with the flowers.

Which flowers last the longest?

Some flowers are naturally longer lasting than others. Varieties such as chrysanthemums, carnations, orchids and many native flowers often last longer in a vase when cared for properly.

Care Instructions and FAQs

How can I keep my flowers fresh for longer?

To help your flowers last as long as possible, place them in fresh water as soon as possible, trim the stems slightly and keep them in a cool area away from direct sunlight or heaters.


Should I trim the stems of my flowers?

Yes. We recommend trimming 1–2cm off the bottom of each stem at an angle before placing your flowers in a vase. This helps the flowers absorb water more easily and stay fresh for longer.


How often should I change the water in my flowers?

Fresh water is important for keeping flowers healthy. We recommend changing the water every one to two days to help keep your flowers looking their best.


Where should I place my flowers in the home?

Flowers last longest when kept in a cool room away from direct sunlight, heaters and strong drafts. Avoid placing flowers near fruit bowls, as fruit releases natural gases that can shorten the life of flowers.


Do flowers arrive with water during delivery?

Yes. To help keep flowers fresh during transport, our bouquets are carefully prepared with a water pack around the stems so they arrive hydrated and ready to enjoy.


What should I do when my flowers arrive?

When your flowers arrive you can follow these simple steps:

  1. Remove the wrapping from the stems preferrably over a sink or outdoors over grass or garden. 

  2. Trim the stems slightly

  3. Place the flowers into a clean vase with fresh water

These simple steps will help keep your flowers fresh for longer.


How long will my flowers last?

Most fresh flower arrangements will last around 5–7 days or longer, depending on the flower varieties, how they are stored and cared for and the climate they are kept in. 


Do you reuse plastic flower sleeves?

Yes. Wherever possible we reuse the plastic sleeves that flowers arrive in from our suppliers, including REPAK plastic sleeves. Reusing these materials helps reduce unnecessary waste and limits the use of new single-use plastics.


Why do some flowers arrive in plastic sleeves?

Plastic sleeves are commonly used by growers and wholesalers to protect flowers during transport. Rather than discarding these sleeves, we reuse them where possible to help reduce waste.


Does Poppy’s try to reduce single-use plastics?

Yes. We aim to reduce waste wherever possible by:

  • reusing supplier packaging when suitable

  • supporting seasonal flowers and local growers

  • minimising unnecessary packaging

These small steps help us operate in a more environmentally conscious way while still ensuring flowers arrive fresh and protected.

Our Eco-Conscious Approach and supporting our local farmers

Do you support local flower growers?

Yes. At Poppy’s of Thirroul we prioritise sourcing flowers from Australian growers whenever possible. Supporting local flower farmers helps ensure our customers receive fresh seasonal blooms while also supporting local agriculture and reducing the distance flowers travel before reaching our store.

We source our florals from the most local flower farmers so the flowers are more seasonal and have less impact on the environment for transport. 


Does Poppy’s focus on environmentally conscious floristry?

Yes. We aim to operate in an environmentally mindful way wherever possible. This includes supporting seasonal flowers, working with local growers when available, and reusing packaging materials such as supplier plastic sleeves to help reduce unnecessary waste. These small steps allow us to minimise our environmental impact while still ensuring flowers arrive fresh and beautifully presented.

Do you use seasonal flowers in your arrangements?

Yes. Wherever possible we work with fresh seasonal flowers, which helps ensure quality, freshness and variety throughout the year.  We attend the Sydney Flower Market regularly to make sure we obtain the freshest flowers every week.  Our Market Days are traditionally Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 


Other FAQs

What flowers are suitable for sympathy or condolence gifts?

Soft and elegant flowers are often chosen for sympathy arrangements. White, pastel and green tones are the traditional option as they represent peace, comfort and remembrance. People will also choose an arrangement in a vase or vessel so that the recipient is not required to locate one. Another popular option is to send a living gift like a plant, we have a large selection of plants and pots that can be gifted.  Contact us to see what we have in stock today. 

Why might some flowers be substituted in an arrangement?

Occasionally certain flowers may not be available due to seasonality or supply, we may also note an issue with the flowers like poor quality or freshness. If this happens, our florists will carefully select similar flowers of equal or greater value to maintain the overall style and quality of the arrangement.