Will this lens take good macro style shots?
Will it focus up close for detailed pictures of flowers, etc?
You can get close, but not as close as to be able to do any descent macro shots. For that you wold need a macro lens. If shooting full frame, this would be an nice all-around lens for almost anything but macro. If shooting cropped, this would work best as a portrait lens. Either way, a must have lens for any Nikon shooter. Just don't expect any macro abilities.