There aren't many areas of business that have blossomed during Sydney's COVID-19 lockdown, but the florist industry could be one of them.
The Bloom Room, on Windsor Street, Richmond, is just one of the numerous Hawkesbury florists that have been helping connect family members, friends and loved ones during the pandemic.
Business owner Jody Groth said there had been a rise in the number of people sending flowers "for the sake of sending something, to say 'I'm thinking of you'".
"We deliver a lot to nursing homes, to older people who would usually be having weekly visits from their families but they can't during the lockdown," Ms Groth told the Gazette.
"People haven't been able to see each other so for us to be able to help them celebrate separately has been really nice."
She said customers from all over Australia - and even overseas - had been contacting her to deliver flowers to Hawkesbury locals.
She also makes up hampers using delicious treats sourced from local businesses like the Richmond Fruit Market.
She said the thing that stood out to her during this lockdown was how grateful people had become for the little things.
"A lot of people have just been so excited to send flowers to people," she said.
We have the best job ever, because we get to deliver that joy.
- Jody Groth
"There is a lot of love and support in the messages that people are sending to each other.
"Best friends are sending flowers and having us write on the card 'Love You, Bestie'.
"People are sending flowers to celebrate birthdays they would usually be able to attend.
"We helped celebrate a 100th birthday in a nursing home recently."
People have also been sending flowers when loved ones have passed, as they haven't been able to attend the funeral.
Additionally, people have been sending flowers to themselves to spruce up their life in lockdown.
"A lot of people are going for bright-coloured flowers at the moment, and a lot of people are starting to spoil themselves at home. If they have to spend time in lockdown then they want something bright to look at," Ms Groth said.
What is it about flowers that says 'I'm thinking of you'?
"It's the energy with them," Ms Groth said.
"We have the best job ever, because we get to deliver that joy. Every single person that opens the door, the reaction on their face when they receive flowers, it's an instant reaction when you receive flowers and we love being part of that."