Our Commitment to You
Substitution Policy
What happens when a flower isn't available — and what you can do about it.
Sugar Oak Lane grows with the seasons. That means sometimes a specific flower in your arrangement isn't at its peak on the day we cut for you. When that happens, we substitute thoughtfully — never downgrading quality, always maintaining the spirit of your order.
When We Substitute
Substitutions happen when: a specific bloom isn't available due to weather or crop timing; a flower isn't at peak quality on your order date; supply of a specific variety runs out. We substitute with flowers of equivalent or greater value that maintain the overall design integrity.
How We Choose Substitutions
- Color-first: We match the color palette before anything else
- Stem-for-stem value: Substitutes are never of lesser value than the original
- Style integrity: We maintain the overall feel (garden-style stays garden-style, lush stays lush)
- Size matters: We won't substitute a 3-inch dahlia with a tiny button flower
Specifying Must-Have Flowers
You can specify up to 2 flowers that are non-negotiable for your order. Write them clearly in your order notes with the label "MUST HAVE" and we'll make every effort to honor them or contact you before substituting.
Example: "MUST HAVE: Café au Lait dahlias. MUST HAVE: Sweet peas." We'll work around those two and substitute freely elsewhere if needed.
Common Substitution Examples
| If We Can't Provide | We Might Substitute |
|---|---|
| Café au Lait dahlia | Similar blush/peach dinnerplate variety |
| Sweet peas | Lisianthus or ranunculus in same palette |
| Sunflowers | Rudbeckia or tithonia in similar warm tones |
| Eucalyptus | Seeded eucalyptus, Italian ruscus, or similar foliage |
Questions?
If you'd like to discuss your order's flowers in detail before we cut, reach out at hello@sugaroaklane.com at least 48 hours before your order date. We're happy to talk through what's growing and what's at peak.