The Ultimate Flower Occasion Guide: Go Beyond Roses

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If you’re not flower-savvy, how do you know the appropriate flowers to send on different occasions? And what types of flowers have meanings that you may not know? With SO many flower types and arrangements out there, it’s a daunting task to choose the ideal bouquet. But we’re here to help. Check out our ultimate flower occasion guide to make sure your choice is thoughtful and appropriate. And if you’re looking for eco-friendly flower delivery services, be sure to read our reviews of the best online florists.

Flower Occasion Guide

Simply click on a link below to jump to the occasion you’re interested in or keep reading to learn all about flower gifting.

Birthday | Anniversary | Get Well Flowers | For a Hospital Patient | For a Funeral

Best Birthday Flowers

The best flowers for a birthday gift should reflect the personality of the recipient and the type of relationship you have. A traditional vase of roses is always a safe option, with the appropriate color for your relationship (red for love, yellow for friendship, pink for a fun flirt, etc.). If the recipient likes uniqueness, go for an arrangement of exotic, non-traditional flowers.

Best Birthday Flowers for Girlfriend

Looking for the best flowers for your girlfriend’s birthday? Try to find out her favorite flower or at least go with her favorite colors. This special touch will tell her that you remember what she’s shared with you. Or you can go with a fun, flirty arrangement with a mixture of bright, large flowers like hot pink roses, carnation, purple dianthus and Peruvian lilies. Take a look at this Pink Delight arrangement from From You Flowers.

Best Birthday Flowers for Wife

If you’re married, you should definitely know what types of flowers and colors your wife prefers! Many women love the romance of roses and the elegance that lilies bring to an arrangement. Add bright, romantic colors to the mix, and you’ve got a winner. Check out this gorgeous rose and lily bouquet you can find at From You Flowers. 

Best Birthday Flowers for Mom

What are the best flowers for Mom’s birthday? Moms love the thoughtful gift of flowers for their birthdays. Some popular flower choices include lilies, tulips, daisies, carnations and roses. From You Flower‘s elegant and aromatic Bright Blue Skies Bouquet is sure to wow your Mom on her birthday.

Best Flowers for Anniversary Gift

You might think roses are a must for an anniversary gift, but not necessarily. Sure, a dozen red roses are a tried and true way to share your love and are sure to please your wife. But if she’s a creative soul, why not mix things up? Some other romantic flower choices include lilies, tulips, orchids and irises. The Bouqs, an eco-friendly online delivery service, has some unique anniversary bouquets you won’t find anywhere else.

Flowers by Anniversary Year

Want to know what type of flowers for anniversary years are appropriate? Here’s a helpful guide to anniversary flowers by year list.

• 1st: Carnation
• 2nd: Lily of the Valley
• 3rd: Sunflower
• 4th: Hydrangea
• 5th: Daisy
• 6th: Calla Lily
• 7th: Freesia
• 8th: Lilac
• 9th: Bird of Paradise
• 10th: Yellow Daffodil
• 15th: Rose
• 20th: Aster
• 25th: Irise
• 30th: Lily
• 40th: Gladiola
• 50th: Yellow Rose and Violet

Best Get Well Flowers

Almost anything goes when choosing get well flowers — look for bright, cheery colors and plenty of greenery to convey a sense of growth and healing. Depending on the illness, you may want to opt for low fragrance flowers. Gerber daisies are a popular pick since they express cheerfulness and new beginnings and aren’t overly fragrant. Other popular choices are peonies, hydrangeas and potted plants. 1-800-Flowers has a great selection of get well bouquets, plants, balloons, gift baskets and more.

Best Flowers for Hospital Patients

What are the best flowers for hospital patients? Similar to get well arrangements, low fragrance bouquets might be in order. But for hospital patients, look for large blooms, vibrant colors and long-lasting flowers that will improve your loved one’s mood and liven up the sterile hospital room during his or her entire stay.

Take a look at these get well bouquets rom From You Flowers for more inspiration.

Best Flowers for Funeral

When choosing flowers for a funeral or to express sympathy for a loss, it’s important to understand that certain colors and types of flowers have special meanings. White and blue flowers convey comfort and peace. Pink and red evoke friendship and love. Here are some popular funeral flowers and meanings behind them:

• White calla lilies: represent resurrection.
• Orchids: stand for everlasting love, with pink and white as the traditional colors of sympathy.
• Carnations: red carnations convey admiration; pink stand for remembrance; and white symbolize pure love and innocence.
• Chrysanthemums: very popular in funeral and sympathy arrangements. In some European countries, such as France, Italy, and Spain, mums are symbolic of death and are only used for funerals or on graves.
• Roses: Including a single rose in a bouquet symbolizes ever-lasting love for the departed. White roses convey reverence, humility and innocence. Red roses evoke respect, love, and courage. Pink roses denote love, grace and appreciation. Dark crimson roses convey sorrow and grief.

Online florist Teleflora has a wide variety of high-quality and tasteful funeral bouquets, wreaths and sprays, and they deliver seven days a week, even on holidays.

Are You Choosing the Right Color Roses?

Every lady in your life loves roses, but with so many color variations, how do you know you’re making the ideal choice? Check out ProFlowers brief video to learn what each rose color means.

Want Some Other Gifting Ideas?

We have some unique gifting solutions to suggest if you’re looking for “out of the box” gifting ideas for birthdays, holidays or just about any fun occasion. Is your friend or loved one a health nut? Why not gift her a healthy snack monthly subscription. Check out our reviews of the best organic and healthy snack box subscriptions to learn more.  Or is the lady in your life a wine lover? Consider giving her the gift of unique wines shipped to her home every month. See our wine club reviews on our sister site, Exploring Life’s Mysteries, for our recommendations.

What’s your favorite flower delivery site and why? Favorite flower to give?