Sending Valentine’s Day flowers is a well-trodden path, so make your gift feel personal by choosing the perfect bouquet for your partner.
Red roses are arguably the most romantic flowers, but many others also symbolise love, from lilies to lisianthuses.
Look for flowers with romantic meanings of devotion, passion, appreciation and faithfulness, using the Victorian language of flowers as a guide. The good news is that we’ve done the hard graft for you – pick any of the beautiful blooms below and you’ll have racked up enough brownie points to last you until 14th February next year!
Red Rose
The red rose is the ultimate symbol of eternal love, so stick with romantic tradition if you like to keep things classic.
Greek mythology tells how the rose was created by Chloris, the goddess of flowers, after she stumbled upon a lifeless nymph. Saddened by its death, she turned it into a stunning bloom that all of Mount Olympus would declare The Queen of Flowers. Sure enough, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was so besotted by its beauty that she named it after her son, Eros – ‘rose’ is an anagram of Eros, see?
Roses remained firmly linked to love throughout the Roman period, when newly married couples would wear crowns made of roses and sleep in beds covered with rose petals.
By the time the Victorian language of flowers was growing in popularity, its fate was sealed – no flower says “I love you” quite like the red rose.
Give a single red rose to convey love at first sight or say “You’re still the one”. Send a dozen red roses to let them know you’re thinking of them all year long and two dozen red roses to say “I’m yours”.
Pink Rose
If your relationship hasn’t quite reached the ‘red rose stage’ of devotion but you still think they’re all that, consider pink roses with their meanings of playfulness, joy, admiration and appreciation.
Ours are sent partly in bud, ready to bloom for a guaranteed seven days, just like your romance (though we obviously hope that lasts longer!).
Rainbow Rose
What better way to celebrate your other half’s colourful, joyful quirks than to present them with a dazzling bunch of rainbow roses? They’re artificially made by dying white roses an array of vibrant hues, so they don’t have an official meaning. But it’s fair to say that if they did, it’d be ‘life of the party’! If lilies are more their thing, we offer similarly exuberant rainbow lilies, too.
Peach Rose
Peach roses are the perfect understated choice for a selfless partner who exudes loveliness without knowing it. They symbolise modesty, sincerity and thankfulness, making them a heartfelt pick for anybody deserving a special treat.
Black Rose
Though most commonly associated with death and despair, making them more appropriate for Halloween than Valentine’s Day, black roses (actually dyed red roses) can also symbolise new beginnings.
They’re certainly an unconventional choice, but if your partner prides themselves on their individuality and is fan of all things gothic, then buying them black blooms will make them feel seen and celebrated. What could be more romantic than that?
Chrysanthemum
Like many flowers, mums have different meanings depending on their colour. White is used to express sympathy throughout Europe, while yellow represents the sun and its light in Japan and is the Asian country’s national ‘golden flower’.
The best choice for Valentine’s Day is pink chrysanthemums, which symbolise faithfulness and longevity – perfect for a long-term relationship.
Germini
It’s hard not to crack a smile when presented with a bunch of jolly germini. Sister of the gerbera, these smaller, daisy-like flowers look just like the kind you used to draw as a child. Send some to your loved one to thank them for bringing you happiness in all manner of little ways, everyday.
Waxflower
These tiny wildflowers are surprisingly hardy for their stature, earning them the meaning of enduring love. If you know your partnership will also withstand all the trials and tribulations of life, you’ll find wax flower peppered among many bouquets, including our opulent Raspberry Ripple with its red, purple and pink Valentine’s Day blooms.
Snapdragon
These childhood favourites, which snap open like the mouths of tiny dragons when squeezed, have meanings of strength (they can grow in harsh, rocky areas) and grace, particularly when under pressure or in difficulty. If you’re in the dog house this Valentine’s Day, note that Victorians would also send snapdragons to say sorry.
Purple snapdragons symbolise magic, mystery and spirituality, ideal for that person whose charm bewitches you, while red flowers symbolise love, passion and positivity. Once again, white snapdragons are a statement of purity and innocence.
Lavender
Lavender is renowned for its soothing scent, which gives it a meaning of healing, but these miniature purple blossoms can also symbolise devotion, serenity, grace and femininity.
If the person you love is in need of a relaxing treat, convey your love and admiration for all that they do with fragrant sprigs of lavender.
Alstroemeria
Related to the lily, this long-lasting flower symbolises friendship, making alstroemeria a sweet choice if your lover is also your best mate. In the language of flowers, their six petals represent commitment, respect, empathy, humour, patience and understanding – surely the ingredients for any successful relationship.
Carnation
Carnations convey fascination, so send them to a crush you find enchanting. Once again, red flowers convey deep love and commitment, but we sell beautiful ruffled blooms in a less intense yet still romantic pink, should you not be ready to drop the ‘L’ word just yet.
Lily
Back in the 19th century, during the peak of floriography, receiving a fragrant lily meant you were beloved.
Red and orange lilies symbolise passion, so if you have an ardent crush, you know what to do.
White lilies, meanwhile, are popular at weddings and funerals because of their connotations of peace, purity and devotion, making them a thoughtful Valentine’s Day flower for someone you admire.
For a jazzy twist, check out our attention-grabbing rainbow lilies (white lilies dyed in every colour of the rainbow!).
Lisianthus
Lizzies have multiple bell-shaped flowers per stem, meaning they can fill any vase with cheery colour. They represent lifelong love, so if you know you want to be with your Valentine forever, try your luck with a lisianthus-stuffed bouquet and hope they share the sentiment!
Ours also features Memory Lane roses, symbolising eternity, and scented lavender, signifying devotion, so we reckon you’re onto a winner.
Flowers don’t come more romantic than our Valentine’s Day range, complete with roses, lilies, carnations and more. Luxury bundles, complete with Prosecco and chocolates, are also available for an extra special treat!
