The short answer: start with what the birthday person loves, not with a rule. Their favourite colour, their style and the way they live will tell you more than any chart. Birth month flowers are a lovely extra when they fit, and a good tiebreaker when you are stuck between two bouquets.
This guide covers both. First the traditional flower for each month and what it is said to mean, then how to choose by personality, then a few practical tips so the flowers arrive looking their best.
Birthday flowers by month
Each month has a traditional birth flower. The list below is the one most often used in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Some months have two, and different sources sometimes swap them, so treat it as a guide rather than a law.
- January: carnation. Long lasting and ruffled, often linked with love and admiration.
- February: violet and iris. Deep purple flowers tied to loyalty, wisdom and faith.
- March: daffodil. The first bright yellow of spring, a symbol of new beginnings.
- April: daisy and sweet pea. Simple, cheerful flowers that stand for innocence and good wishes.
- May: lily of the valley. Tiny white bells that mean sweetness and a return of happiness.
- June: rose. The classic. Red for love, pink for gratitude, yellow for friendship, white for new starts.
- July: larkspur. Tall spires in blue and purple, linked with an open heart and lightness.
- August: gladiolus. Strong, upright stems that stand for strength of character.
- September: aster. Star shaped blooms that mean patience and love.
- October: marigold and cosmos. Warm oranges and golds that suit the season and stand for warmth.
- November: chrysanthemum. Full, long lasting blooms that mean joy and long life in many traditions.
- December: narcissus and holly. Paperwhites and festive greens for hope and good cheer.
Not every birth flower is easy to find as a fresh cut bouquet, and some only grow for a few weeks a year. If the exact flower is not in a bouquet you like, borrow its colour instead. A sunny yellow bouquet for a March birthday, purple tones for February, or warm oranges for October all carry the same idea.
Choosing by personality
Most people will remember how the flowers made them feel, not which month they matched. These pairings are a good place to start.
The classic romantic
If they love tradition, roses are hard to beat. A dozen red roses says it plainly, while pink or mixed colours feel lighter and work well for a partner, a parent or a close friend. Browse the full roses collection for hand-tied bouquets, boxed roses and arrangements in a vase.
The bright, cheerful one
For the friend who lights up a room, choose bold colour and round, happy faces. Gerberas and daisies are perfect here. The Cheerful Thoughts Bouquet is a dozen gerberas, and the Sunny Sentiments Bouquet features daisies.
The elegant, understated one
For someone with a calm, polished style, keep the palette soft and the shapes clean. Lilies and orchids both feel refined. The Sorbonne Pink Lily Arrangement and the Blue Orchid Bouquet are two good examples.
The plant lover
Some people would rather have something that keeps growing. A planter or potted plant suits a home office, a first apartment or anyone who already fills their windowsills with green. Look through the potted plants and succulents for options.
The one who has everything
Make it a small celebration. Pair a bouquet with a treat, such as the Belgian Chocolate Box, or with a Bear and Balloon Bunch. A gift basket is another way to send something a little different. Gift baskets are ordered at least a day ahead.
Choosing by age and relationship
A few rough guides help when you do not know the person well.
- Children and teens: bright colours, a balloon or a plush add-on, and nothing too tall to carry.
- A partner: roses or their favourite colour, with a personal note on the card.
- Parents and grandparents: soft pinks, lilies or a mixed garden style bouquet. A planter also lasts well beyond the day.
- Co-workers: a cheerful mixed bouquet in a vase is easy to place on a desk and simple to take home.
- A milestone birthday: go a size up, or send a bouquet with a matching add-on to mark the year.
Setting a budget
A thoughtful birthday bouquet does not have to be expensive. Many of our bouquets come in more than one size, so you can choose the look you like and then pick the size that fits. To make it easier, we keep two price based collections: flowers and gifts under $60 and flowers and gifts under $100. Delivery is free on orders over $50.
Writing the birthday card
Every order includes a free handwritten card, and you add your message at checkout. Short is fine. Use their name, mention one thing you love about them, and sign it so they know who it is from. A few ideas:
- "Happy birthday, Sam. Here is to another year of laughing too loud. Love, Jess."
- "Wishing you a day as bright as you are. Happy birthday, Mom."
- "Happy birthday from all of us on the team. Enjoy your day."
Getting the timing right
We offer same-day delivery across the GTA for fresh flowers, so a forgotten birthday can still be saved. For the best choice of bouquets, though, order a day or two early and choose the delivery date on the product page. If the birthday falls on a busy day, such as a weekend celebration, ordering ahead gives you the widest selection.
If the flowers are going to a workplace, include the company name and the floor or department. For a home, add the buzzer code to the address if the building has one.
Keeping the bouquet fresh
A few simple steps help a birthday bouquet last well past the day: fresh water, a clean vase, a fresh cut on the stems and a spot away from heat and ripening fruit. Our guide on how to keep a bouquet fresh longer has the full routine.
Ready to choose?
Browse the full birthday collection, all hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio. If you would like help choosing, call us at 905-677-9999 and we will be happy to suggest something that suits the person you have in mind.