Possible Clues:

• Thorny shrubs with bright flowers
• The wars that should have been nipped in the bud?
• Flowers given on Valentine's Day
• They're smelly enough to have some for tea
• Run for the ___ (Kentucky Derby)
• Churchill Downs decorations
• Suitor's presentation
• 24 across is one of those that cause such sores
• Valentine favorite
• Thompson or Ronstadt maybe