What’s better than receiving a beautiful bunch of birthday flowers? Receiving a gorgeous bouquet filled with flowers that have a special meaning or symbolism behind them.
Whether you’re looking for flowers for a friend, colleague or partner, our edit of the best birthday flowers has something to suit everyone with blooms that symbolise happiness, friendship, well wishes, romance and more.
And, if you need more inspiration, check out our range of birthday flowers and gifts that can be delivered straight to their door with add-ons such as prosecco, wine and chocolates.
Roses
You can never go wrong with a bouquet of roses for a birthday celebration. While roses in general are a symbol for love and admiration, each colour has its own special meaning. Red roses symbolise passion, romance and desire making them a great choice for a romantic bouquet. On the other hand, yellow roses are universally known as a symbol of friendship, while white roses are a sign of loyalty and green a symbol of success. Roses are also the birth month flower of June, so great for June babies.
Lilies
A bouquet of lilies can have many different meanings, and in fact, just like most flowers, each colour symbolises something different too. There are hundreds of varieties of lilies but in general, these elegant flowers are associated with unity and peace, making them a lovely birthday tribute to a friend or a family member. Red lilies are said to be a symbol of love, while pink lilies represent joy and orange lilies signify happiness and warmth.
Peonies
We don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive a bunch of peonies on their birthday. The beautiful bloom is a symbol of love, luck and good fortune. In China and Japan peonies are known as the ‘king of flowers’ and also thought to symbolise wealth. Just like yellow roses, yellow peonies signify friendship and are a lovely way to add warmth and happiness to a friend’s birthday. If you’re looking for a romantic bouquet, choose one featuring red peonies.
Carnations
A favourite for every occasion, from birthdays to weddings, carnations’ history spans over 2,000 years and is rich in meaning. Like many flowers, depending on the country you are in, carnations will have a slightly different meaning, but are universally seen to symbolise love and devotion, making them a perfect choice for a loved one’s birthday bouquet. To show gratitude, opt for a bunch of pink carnations or to send well wishes choose white carnations. For a romantic partner, you can’t go wrong with a bunch of swoon-worthy red carnations, a true symbol of love and affection.
Sunflowers
A sign of positivity and happiness, sunflowers are sure to brighten up their day and are a great choice for summer birthdays. While the meaning of sunflowers will differ slightly from culture to culture, universally they are seen as a mood-boosting flower. Have you ever looked at a sunflower and not instantly smiled? We sure haven’t! However, you may be surprised to learn that sunflowers come in many different types and not just the unmistakable yellow petals we are most familiar with. Red sunflowers are a symbol of strength while orange sunflowers symbolise good energy.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums come in so many unusual shapes and colours, and while they do make a joyful addition to a birthday bouquet, be careful when gifting this flower. In some European countries and in Japan, they are given during mourning. However, in most other countries, chrysanthemums symbolise a life of joy and happiness and are given to loved ones on many different occasions. For birthdays, we recommend gifting a bouquet that features pink chrysanthemums, meaning friendship, or yellow blooms, a symbol of happiness and joy. They are also great for November birthdays, as the birth flower of the month.
Gerbera
Bright and bold gerberas will add a playful touch to any bouquet, and are a perfect addition to birthday blooms thanks to the special meanings behind these flowers. They are available in a wide range of colours and have a long vase life, so will continue to give the receiver joy long after the birthday celebrations have ended. A symbol of friendship and gratitude, sunny yellow gerberas are the best birthday flowers to send to friends. Or, for a romantic partner or crush, send deep red gerberas to show your love.
Tulips
A favourite among many, tulips have a rich history and plenty of symbolism. Despite what you might think, these brightly-coloured flowers didn’t originate in the Netherlands but rather in Central Asia and have been growing in popularity ever since they arrived in Europe in the 16th century. Whether you give your loved one a simple bunch of tulips or a birthday bouquet featuring the popular flower, we have no doubt it will be greatly received.
But, what colour to choose? Well, like most flowers red tulips are a symbol of love and romance, while pink tulips symbolise affection and well wishes. White tulips are seen to signify a new era, making them ideal for milestone birthdays, while yellow tulips are cheerful blooms that will brighten any day.
Orchids
Orchids are one of the oldest and most widespread flowers, rich in history and symbolism. Depending on where you are in the world, orchids and the different colours will have different meanings. For a birthday bouquet, we recommend bright yellow orchids, a symbol of joy and friendship or pink orchids, signifying deep gratitude and admiration. Best of all, with proper care, orchids can last for weeks and orchid plants can last even longer.
Freesia
Freesia flowers are a lovely addition to a birthday bouquet in spring or summer. They are a symbol of friendship and thoughtfulness and according to floriography, the Victorian language of flowers, it’s the flower of trust. Gift yellow freesias to a dear friend or pink to a motherly figure. A multi-coloured bouquet of freesias also makes a lovely gift for family, friends or co-workers.
Feeling inspired? Make their day with a beautiful bunch of birthday flowers from Blossoming Gifts, available with next day delivery nationwide.
