Whether you’re celebrating one year together or a wedding anniversary, you can’t go wrong with a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Even better if you choose blooms with a special meaning behind them.
To help you find the best flowers for an anniversary gift, we’ve got a rundown of the most romantic blooms that represent gratitude, loyalty and unconditional love.
Sunflowers
We don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be delighted to receive a bouquet of sunflowers on their anniversary. These sunny blooms evoke instant joy, and are almost guaranteed to brighten up their day. Even better, sunflowers also have a very special meaning behind them. Thanks to the myth of Clytie and Apollo, sunflowers are seen as a symbol of loyalty and admiration, making them perfect for an anniversary gift.
Carnations
Carnations are beautiful, fluffy blooms rich in history and symbolism. Spanning over 2,000 years, it’s no surprise they’ve become a popular flower with meanings that carry many of the sentiments of an anniversary. In fact, they’re also the the carnation is the traditional flower to celebrate your first wedding anniversary.
Each different colour of carnation will have a slightly different meaning, so for an anniversary we recommend opting for pink or red carnations. Pink carnations are a symbol of gratitude, which is why you’ll also often find them in Mother’s Day bouquets, while red carnations are, surprise surprise, a symbol of romantic love. When it comes to anniversary flowers, avoid yellow carnations which are thought to represent disappointment and rejection…
Red Roses
Whether you’re celebrating your first anniversary with your love, or 10 years together, you can’t go wrong with a bouquet of red roses. One of the most romantic flowers, nothing says ‘I love you’ like a classic rose. Representing love, passion and a deep bond across all cultures, the beloved rose is timeless for a reason. Roses are also the 15th anniversary flower.
Did you know that the number of roses you give someone can have its own special meaning, too? Three roses are traditionally given to celebrate a one month anniversary, 12 roses mean ‘be mine’, 24 roses signify ‘I’m yours’, while a bunch of 50 roses represent a love that knows no bounds. For extra brownie points, choose the number in your bouquet wisely.
Lilies
While lilies may not be the first flower that springs to mind when you think of anniversary bouquets, this elegant bloom should not be dismissed. Each colour has its own meaning, but in general lilies are a symbol of femininity and fertility. White lilies are often seen at weddings, as they represent the beginning of a new chapter. Red lilies are full of romance, symbolising love and passion, and they are a great alternative to a bouquet of red roses. They are also given to mark a couple’s 30 year wedding anniversary, which is known as the pearl anniversary.
Peonies
Beautiful peonies make a great gift, whatever you are celebrating. With a history spanning 4,000 years, these blooms are native to China and Japan and gained popularity in Europe in the late 1800s. Peonies’ rich history, combined with the blossoming shape, delicate petals and sweet fragrance all contribute to the symbolism of prosperity and luck. Their romantic status is cemented by the peony’s status as the 12th wedding anniversary flower.
Again, depending on the colour you choose, peonies can have slightly different meanings. Pink peonies are often seen in wedding bouquets as a sign of good luck, while red peonies are, of course, a symbol of love and passion.
Orchids
As one of the world’s oldest plants, it’s no surprise that the meaning behind orchids has developed over the years and differs from culture to culture. However, in floriography (aka the Victorian language of flowers) orchids are seen as a symbol of love. For an anniversary, gift your beloved a bouquet featuring white orchids to signify the beginning of a new chapter together or red orchids to express your deep affection and love for them. An orchid plant is also a lovely alternative to a traditional anniversary bouquet, and if cared for correctly will last for months to come.
White Roses
While red roses are usually the go-to for a romantic bouquet, we love the idea of receiving white roses for a special anniversary. Elegant and timeless, white roses are often seen at weddings, thanks to their symbolism of loyalty, purity and fresh beginnings. The glamourous flowers look great alone or paired with lilies and eucalyptus in a bouquet. White roses are also considered the official diamond anniversary flower, when a couple celebrates 60 years together.
Tulips
One of the most recognisable flowers in the world, despite popular belief tulips didn’t originate in the Netherlands. In fact, these blooms are native to Central Asia. They were brought to Europe in the 16th century and we’ve loved them ever since! The classic flower represents deep, unconditional love and is also seen as a sign of rebirth as they bloom at the beginning of spring. For an anniversary bouquet, tulips will evoke instant feelings of happiness and joy, but they also have a special significance depending on the colour you choose. Yellow tulips bring all the cheerfulness and luck, while red tulips, like most red blooms, mean eternal love.
Celebrate your anniversary in style with Blossoming Gifts. Send a beautiful bouquet paired with chocolates, wine, prosecco, and more, and save when you buy a gift set.
