February is typically busy for florists, but this month is especially notable for one area shop. Flowers by Adela will mark its 40th Valentine’s Day this year at its Missouri City shop.

Owner Ramona Ohl began working at the business’s Missouri City location at 3756 Cartwright Road in 1983.

“I got hooked,” Ramona said. “I like to design.”

In 1999, Ohl and her husband, Olan, bought the business from Adela Pendergrass, who opened Flowers By Adela on Feb. 1, 1977, at 3756 Cartwright Road and then opened a Sugar Land store five years later.

By 2012, Ramona and Olan’s daughters, Olivia Ohl-Lara and Odessa Ohl, were working for the business full time.

Flowers by Adela lists among its clients all Fort Bend ISD schools and the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. Designs range from roses to tropical and artificial plants. Same-day delivery for orders placed by 3 p.m. is available.

Out-of-state and international customers place orders for their friends or relatives who live in the area, Odessa said.

“I even have this lady—she probably does this two times a year—she calls from London,” she said.

The business has weathered two recessions in the Greater Houston area. The Ohls saw a drop in orders when the price of oil plummeted two years ago. So how has the business managed to stay afloat?

“By the grace of God,” Odessa said.

Web searches and social media now generate nearly 85 percent of customer orders, Ohl-Lara said.

The Ohls are uncertain what the future holds for them. Olivia and Odessa said the long hours that require them to stay on their feet make it a physically demanding job.

“It’s very hard work,” Ohl-Lara said. “You’re dealing with perishables … you can’t sit on these for a long period of time.”

But the Ohls said a florist provides significant experience for the workplace and also for life in general.

“We try to give everybody personal service and make it right,” Ohl-Lara said.