Sending a beautiful bouquet is unlikely to ever go unappreciated. Marking countless occasions – from birthdays to wedding anniversaries, first dates to funerals, flowers are the gift that is always well-received, especially when the reason in ‘just because’. From romantic roses to exquisite lilies, the plethora of stunning choices on offer can make choosing tricky – but thankfully there is always a right flower for the job.
We sat down with Flora Queen to find out exactly what to send and when.
First Date
First date flowers should be subtle, and tulips or orchids make for a great choice. A thoughtful way to show you care, they are romantic without being overwhelming – and fingers crossed, will help to earn you that second date. Try to choose flowers which reflect their personality, as this shows that you understand them early on – and bodes well for the future, too.
Birthday
The obvious way to give birthday flowers is to do some research and find out what their favourite flowers are, but a thoughtful alternative is to give flowers according to birth month. In the UK, January and February are marked with the carnation and the iris, while daffodils, daisies and lilies of the valley can be given for March, April and May respectively. For June and July, it’s the larkspur and the delphinium, while August and September birthdays can be met with gladioli and asters. Of course, if the receiver was born in the latter part of the year, then why not try the marigold, chrysanthemum or poinsettia for October, November and December?
Mother’s Day
Yellows represent joy and affection, and make a great choice when combined with pinks and reds for love and admiration. Lilacs, in particular, symbolise the love between a mother and child, making them a meaningful and thoughtful gift for this type of occasion. Try adding carnations, roses or gerbera daisies mixed with yellow tulips – a beautiful spring bouquet that draws on some of the season’ best flowers, saying everything you’d want it to and more.
Valentine’s Day
Flowers are the most popular gift to give on 14th February, and when it comes to romance, classic roses are the only way to go. Shades of red represent love, while pinks say elegance, and combined with yellows for affection and joy, they make a beautiful bouquet. Pinks or reds on their own are the ultimate expression of passion for the object of your affections – but avoid giving yellow roses alone, as these symbolise just friendship.
Thank You
As they say, it’s the thought that counts, so any carefully chosen bouquet is sure to put a smile on their face. As a general guide, opt for pale shades such as pinks, yellows, purples and whites, as these are symbolic of appreciation. Try daisies, primroses or carnations if you’re keen to get it just right. Pretty purple sweetpeas say ‘thank you for a lovely time’, while chrysanthemums say thank you for friendship. To show gratitude to someone who has helped you through a difficult time, why not send hydrangeas?
Sympathy
Lilies and daisies are the traditional choice for showing sympathy. Try mixing with purples and blues to symbolise hope and rebirth – verbena, lavender of bluebells will work well. For funerals, try yellow lilies, which are sadly symbolic of the soul leaving the body. White lilies are also often given, with the white star-gazer sub-breed the most popular choice. Mix with gladioli so signify strength of character, and pink and white carnations for remembrance and love.
Get Well Soon
Nothing can aid a speedy recovery like a beautiful bouquet of get-well flowers. Bright and cheerful, daisies make an ideal flower choice to accompany a ‘get well soon’ card. Send your floral gift recipient a collection of simple white daisies, or choose a colourful option, such as gerbera daisies, to really brighten up their day. Be sure to consider the type of flowers in your get-well gift, too. If the recipient is in hospital, tulips and gerbera daisies are ideal selections —they are fragrance-free, bright and cheerful, and easy to maintain, too.
