Roses are red, violets are blue. Walk through Downtown Crossing this afternoon, and both could be given to you! Don’t be alarmed if you’re handed a bouquet of flowers today by a stranger. The Society of American Florists is sponsoring the “Petal It Forward” campaign with the hope of inducing “flower power” smiles across the country. The floral department at downtown’s Roche Bros. is giving away 1,700 bouquets in pairs to passersby with the intent that the recipient keeps one and gives the other to someone in need of a smile. The idea stems from research showing flowers have an immediate impact on happiness and a long-term positive change on moods—and that people say the best reason for getting flowers is “just because.”
Beyond Boston, 206 cities in 49 states are participating in the campaign. Roche Brothers will pass out the bouquets until 2 this afternoon, so put the petal to the metal to get yours!