I much prefer the taste and texture of buttercream compared to royal icing. Do the BC flowers form as well? Any opinions??

It depends what kind of BC you're using. What I like to do is just make them on a square of waxed paper, and throw them in the fridge or freezer to harden them up before you transfer them to the cake.

I believe Collete Peters uses all royal icing flowers. At least that's what I read in one of her books.

I made roses on a small square of wax paper and put it in a sandwhich baggie and put it in the freezer...it has firmed up very nice...kept it's same shape....and easily comes off to transfer onto a cake. Good luck!