Free Flowers Are Being Given Away in Downtown Crossing

Photo by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism on Flickr/Creative Commons

Stroll down the pedestrian walkway in Downtown Crossing on Wednesday and there’s good chance you’ll be surprised with two bouquets of flowers—for free.

The floral department team at Roche Bros. is giving away 1,700 bouquets to Bostonians at random. Why two free bouquets for one person? Each lucky recipient is supposed to “petal it forward,” giving the second bundle of flowers to anyone they choose—whether that’s a pal in the office or a stranger on the street.

The sweet-smelling giveaway is part of the “Petal It Forward” campaign, supported by the Society of American Florists and florists across the country. In addition to those in Boston, florists in 206 cities in 49 states hope to make a few people smile with “flower power.” The campaign is meant to highlight the emotional benefits of flowers, and to back up studies that show flowers’ immediate impact on happiness as well as their long-term positive effects on moods.

The Roche Bros. florists will begin to bestow their bouquets at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19. An early lunch, anyone?

Check out the flower-filled goodness on Instagram with the hashtag #PetalItForward.