Few things lift our spirits as much as a beautiful bunch of flowers, especially when we’ve not been feeling very well.
Not only do they remind us that someone is thinking of us, but they also add a pop of colour to the room, and make us look forwards to days spent outside once we’re better again. If you’re looking for a bouquet to wish someone a speedy recovery, then the only rule really is to put your heart into it. That, and the bigger and more colourful the better! Be sure to pick flowers that have specific meanings too if you like – the Victorian art of floriography – and bear in mind their scent as well, especially if someone is sensitive to certain smells.
Here are some of the best get well soon flowers to include in your selection.
Gerbera Daisies
These large, colourful flowers bring instant joy, coming in a vast array of colours that span the entire rainbow. Historically, they were associated with lessening the sorrows and stresses of everyday life, something which makes them a particularly appropriate gift for someone who has been unwell. They are also scentless, which makes them a wise present for anyone who is feeling quite queasy.
Hydrangeas
One of the UK’s favourite plants, hydrangeas are known for their multiple flowers grouped together on one head, giving them an abundant appearance. Available in white, blue, red, pink and purple (the shade depends on the acidity of the soil they are grown in), they are believed to symbolise heartfelt emotions and understanding. Fun fact: they are also grown in Japan for their medicinal properties, making them a particularly appropriate get well soon gift.
Peonies
We are a nation of peony lovers, admiring their pretty, delicate petals and blousy appearance. As well as being beautiful to look at, there is also a fun myth that equates peonies with health. Indeed, according to Greek myth, Paeon used the peony root to heal the god Pluto, but when his mentor Aesculapius grew jealous of him, Zeus turned him into a peony flower to protect him. Traditionally, they have been seen to symbolise prosperity and good fortune.
Chrysanthemums
Bold and colourful, with their bushy fan of petals, chrysanthemums have always been a popular choice in bouquets for their volume and drama. Available in a huge array of colours, pink is a particularly good colour for a get well soon bouquet, as it is thought to symbolise longevity. Again, its petals can be used in herbal medicine, brewed as a tea to help aid inflammation and high blood pressure.
Yellow Roses
Symbolising joy, warmth and friendship, yellow roses don’t have the same romantic connotations of red or pink roses, so are a lovely choice of gift for a friend who is under the weather. Their vibrant hue also feels like giving someone a ray of sunshine, and is no doubt guaranteed to bring a smile to their face. They also often have a delicate fruity aroma, conjuring up citrus fruits, which might appeal to some people too.
Daffodils
As one of the first flowers that grows at the end of winter, daffodils have always been associated with spring, and as a result, hope, rebirth and optimism. All of which makes them a very appropriate get well soon flower! Known for their distinctive trumpet-like shape and vivid yellow and orange colouring, they are without doubt one of nature’s most joyful plants.
Sunflowers
What says ‘get well soon’ and ‘smile!’ better than a bunch of sunflowers? With their huge heads, multiple bright yellow petals and sturdy stalks, they are a great choice for a long-lasting bouquet that you could even replant afterwards. What’s more, they are associated with positivity, loyalty, adoration and longevity, all ideal qualities to bestow on somebody who is under the weather. They are pretty much odorless too, bar a slightly earthy scent.
Tulips
Another flower deeply associated with spring, tulips symbolise fresh starts, hope and rebirth, making them another spot-on choice for anyone sending a get well soon bouquet. Their petals open up during sunlight and lean towards it, while in the nighttime they close. There are almost endless varieties of tulips available in beautiful colour combinations and patterns, which means you can really have fun with your arrangement too.
Freesias
Freesias are delicate, small flowers with a fan of petals. They typically come in shades of red, yellow, orange, mauve or white, and are known particularly for their strong sweet, citrusy scent. Traditionally, they have been given as a seventh wedding anniversary present, but they are also thought to represent lasting friendship, trust, thoughtfulness and innocence.
