The short answer: there is a traditional flower for many wedding anniversaries, starting with carnations for the first year and roses for the fifteenth. You do not have to follow the list, but it is a thoughtful way to make anniversary flowers feel personal, and it gives you a fresh idea each year. Here is the list, with ideas for turning each flower into a gift.
Anniversary flower lists vary a little from source to source, and some are more modern than others. The one below is the most widely used in North America.
Anniversary flowers by year
- 1st: carnations. Carnations stand for love and devotion, and they last a long time in a vase, a good sign for a first year together.
- 2nd: lily of the valley. Small, fragrant and delicate, a symbol of happiness. It is a spring flower, so outside its season, a soft white bouquet carries the same feel.
- 3rd: sunflowers. Warmth, loyalty and strength. The Sunshine Harmony Flower Bouquet pairs sunflowers with orange and yellow roses and lilies.
- 4th: hydrangea. Full, generous blooms that suggest gratitude and abundance. Try the Simply Classic Hydrangea Flower Basket.
- 5th: daisies. Cheerful and simple, for a love that has settled into everyday happiness. Gerbera daisies, as in our Cheerful Thoughts Bouquet, are the bright, bold version.
- 6th: calla lilies. Sleek and elegant, a symbol of devotion. See The Calla Lily Promise Bouquet.
- 7th: freesia. Sweetly fragrant, a symbol of trust.
- 8th: lilac. A spring flower linked with first love, and a nice nod to how it all began.
- 9th: bird of paradise. Bold and striking, for a relationship with a sense of adventure. The Tropical Bright Arrangement features orange and purple birds of paradise.
- 10th: daffodils. Joy and new beginnings, for a milestone decade.
- 11th: tulips. A symbol of deep love.
- 12th: peonies. Romance and a happy marriage. Peonies have a short season in late spring and early summer.
- 13th: chrysanthemums. Friendship and lasting joy. Mums are among the longest lasting cut flowers.
- 14th: dendrobium orchids. Rare beauty and refinement. The Blue Orchid Bouquet is all dendrobium orchids.
- 15th: roses. The classic flower of love. Browse our roses.
- 20th: asters. Patience and elegance.
- 25th: iris. Faith and wisdom, for a silver anniversary.
- 28th: orchids. Lasting love and beauty. A potted orchid keeps blooming long after the day itself.
- 30th: lilies. Devotion and commitment, for a pearl anniversary. See our lilies.
- 40th: gladiolus. Strength of character, for a ruby anniversary.
- 50th: yellow roses and violets. Gold for a golden anniversary.
When the traditional flower is out of season
Some flowers on the list, such as lily of the valley, lilac and peonies, are only around for a few weeks a year. If the anniversary falls outside that season, you have good options:
- Choose a bouquet in the same colour as the traditional flower.
- Pick the flower for a nearby year and say so on the card.
- Go with roses, which suit every anniversary.
Any of these makes a lovely gift. What matters most is that it feels chosen for them.
Choosing by colour
Colour can carry the message as well as the flower does. Red roses say romantic love, pink says affection and gratitude, white suggests a fresh start or a calm, lasting bond, and yellow brings warmth and friendship. For a golden or silver anniversary, white and yellow flowers tie in neatly with the theme.
Other ways to make it personal
- Match the number. A dozen roses is a classic, but some couples like a stem for each year together.
- Recreate a wedding flower. If you remember what was in the bridal bouquet, ask for those flowers or colours.
- Send it to work. Flowers delivered to an office make the day feel special in front of colleagues.
- Add a little extra. A box of chocolates or a balloon added to the order turns a bouquet into a fuller gift, and it is an easy way to mark a bigger milestone.
- Write a real card. A short memory from the wedding day or a favourite trip means more than a long message.
Anniversary gifts for parents and friends
Anniversary flowers are not only for your partner. A bouquet for your parents' fortieth or a friend's first anniversary is a warm gesture, especially if you cannot be there in person. Lilies, roses and mixed bouquets in a vase are easy for the couple to enjoy at home, and they arrive ready to set on a table without any work.
Ordering anniversary flowers
Browse our anniversary flowers for ready-made designs, or our flowers under $100 if you have a budget in mind. Every bouquet is hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio, we offer same-day delivery of fresh flowers across the GTA, delivery is free on orders over $50, and every order includes a free handwritten card for your message. If you want a specific flower from the list, call our studio at 905-677-9999.