WESTPORT — Surprisingly, it’s not the busiest day of the year for florists, but it’s an exciting one.

And while red and roses are synonymous with gift-giving for Monday’s traditional celebration de l’amour — Valentine’s Day — it’s not always the first choice of floral recipients, according to one of Westport’s venerable veteran florists.

“We try to convince people not to go with red roses,” said Charles Case, who’s owned and operated The Flower Basket of Westport for 42 years now at 995 Post Road East, just west of Carvel’s.

In fact, he said, while singles who are courting often like the traditional symbol of love, married partners expand their senses toward a vast selection of roses — violet, pink, white, yellow and more — as well as other flowers.

Either way, Valentine’s Day is a busy happening in the floral business, with many orders scheduled for Sunday afternoon and Monday pickups.

Still, Case explained, it’s not the busiest floral weekend, owing to both the colder weather and the sometimes last-minute nature of people forgetting to plan ahead.

“The biggest weekend of the year is Mother’s Day,” he said, with roses and all other kinds of blooms sought for that person some might reference as their unofficial first love.