Mom's Flowers: Roses or Thorns?

Deal of the Day: We asked readers to share photos of the flowers delivered Sunday. Some received enviable bouquets, others wilted blooms.

Those who ordered Mother's Day flowers didn't just get mixed bouquets, but mixed results -- if the photos users shared are any indication.

Though flowers are the most-purchased Mother's Day gift, experts say it's often hard to get a good value. Online and local florists often substitute blooms, which can mean what Mom gets bears little resemblance to what you ordered.

Click above to see a slideshow of flower photos that readers shared with us.

We tested that earlier this month, ordering five bouquets online to see how closely the arriving flowers resembled the pretty bouquets advertised. At least in our case, there was a big difference. (See Mother's Day Bouquet Buyers Beware.)

Over the weekend we asked readers to send us snapshots of the arrangements that showed up on Mother's Day. Some seemed as beautiful as promised, users said, others failed to meet the sender's (and perhaps the recipient's) expectations. "They don't even stand up," one user posted after receiving a wilted tulip and iris bouquet.

Several comments reflected the number one Better Business Bureau complaint about florists: late delivery. "Flowers were up to par, but it wasn't nice to receive them a day late," wrote one consumer. Another sent a picture of an empty table where the flowers should be. 1800Flowers.com promised some consumers that their missing arrangements will be delivered by Tuesday, with a $25 gift card as compensation.

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