April showers, May flowers and spring formals are just on the horizon, but downtown florists say sales and preparation for the spring season are not that much different than any other season.

"Our business is pretty much steady all year round, although perhaps spring is a more popular time for formals," said Michael Albright, manager of Woodring's Floral Gardens, 145 S. Allen St.

Tom Nigrelli, manager of George's Floral Boutique, 482 E. College Ave., said business is also steady throughout the year. But, he said the Christmas season is best for them, with the spring and Easter season coming next.

"A college town is different than a regular town because our sales are based on the college schedule," said Lesley Paxfon, a floral designer for the Bud Vase, 107 E. Beaver Ave. "Spring break is slow, but business picks up with Easter. It's fairly busy during these times with Easter and spring formals."

"Spring is best for sales," said Beth Linn, a floral designer for Davidson's Florists, 130 E. College Ave. "In spring we have Easter, Mother's Day, Secretary's Day and many, many proms and spring formals. People are overworked and they put in a lot of overtime during times like this."

The florists say they have been preparing for spring just like they would for other seasons. But now, they use different flowers and different ways of displaying their products.

"For spring we've been advertising with spring bunches," Paxfon said. "Flowers are very seasonal. Right now we have very bright, springy arrangements and potted plants."

Linn said, "We order different things and decorate and arrange our window displays for Easter and spring. It's all seasonal."

"Preparation for Easter has gone on for months already," Albright said. "In the store we've been making bows to put on arrangements, and so forth. Really, there are not many changes for this season. We prepare just like we would for any other time."

The florists predict their sales will be about the same this spring as they were last year.

But Paxfon said sales at the Bud Vase have increased because of her store's relocation and larger facilities.

"We're only three years old but we've really grown," she said. "Our sales have doubled since last year and our spring sales have definitely increased."