Shirohana is a popular chain of flower shops that’s been around since 1983 – it’s one of our favourite flower shops in the city though they’re pretty expensive.
It’s actually the ambience of the outlet in Bamba that we love the most. The super sweet smell of fresh damp flowers hit you in the face when you open the glass door, before you see the beautiful arrangement of potted bouquets in the center of the room. The guy in charge (who mostly keeps to himself behind the counter) told us that the air-conditioning helps keep the flowers fresh all day. He’ll help make your purchase look perfect with cool recycled paper and cards. These guys also deliver, typically charging about Rs. 500 per kilometer.
There are a few interesting antique-looking horses and elephants carved from wood here and there that add character to the store.
You can watch this guy on the side of the room focusing hard on his flower arrangements. Next to him are a fresh looking selection of vegetables from Shirohana’s own farms – a blackboard says they’re free from pesticides and insecticides.
The flowers are brought down straight from their farms in Nuwera Eliya where they’re all grown in well maintained greenhouses. They’re expensive, Rs. 1500+ per bouquet, but in terms of quality they’re guaranteed to impress and likely stay fresh longer. Lilies are especially in season since June, said the shop assistant.
The outdoor area of Shirohana premises are really cool with stone-brick floors and rusty old furniture.
Shirohana is like a brand – it’s like the Gucci of plants (yes, that’s a valid metaphor OK). The flowers and arrangements are top quality and they do delivery which is great – if you’ve got the cash for it, this is the best place to go for those roses or lilies for a special someone. Either way their sweet smelling shop with an antique vibe to it is a very cool place to walk into.
