Occasion · all year
Anniversary flowers: a flower for every year
There’s a list of flowers for each anniversary, just like silver or gold anniversaries. Which flower goes with each year together and how to make the bouquet personal.
- Classic
- Red roseslove that endures
- 1st anniversary
- Carnationyoung love and admiration
- 15 years
- Rosein the traditional list
- Best idea
- Your wedding floweror the one from your first date
The classic: red roses
The red rose is the flower of romantic love all over the world, so it never fails on an anniversary. But precisely because it’s the Valentine’s Day choice, an anniversary gives you the chance to go further and give a flower with its own story: the one from your wedding bouquet, the one on the table at your first dinner, or your partner’s favorite even if it isn’t “romantic”.
The flower for each anniversary
In the US and the UK a list of flowers by anniversary has become popular, alongside paper, silver or gold anniversaries. It isn’t an old or universal tradition, but it gives ideas for each year:
| Years | Flower | What it symbolizes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnation | Young love and admiration |
| 2 | Lily of the valley | Happiness and sweetness |
| 3 | Sunflower | Loyalty and warmth |
| 4 | Hydrangea | Gratitude and abundance |
| 5 | Daisy | Faithfulness and simplicity |
| 6 | Calla lily | Beauty and admiration |
| 7 | Freesia | Trust |
| 8 | Lilac | Love that matures |
| 9 | Bird of paradise | Joy and freedom |
| 10 | Daffodil | Shared happiness |
| 11 | Tulip | Sincere love |
| 12 | Peony | A happy marriage and prosperity |
| 13 | Chrysanthemum | Friendship and longevity |
| 14 | Dahlia | Lasting commitment |
| 15 | Rose | Complete love |
| 25 (silver) | Iris or white roses | Faith and admiration |
| 50 (gold) | Yellow roses or violets | Joy and faithfulness |
In Spain, France or Italy the chrysanthemum is associated with All Saints’ Day; for the 13th anniversary choose cheerful-colored chrysanthemums in a bouquet, or pick another flower.
Dating anniversaries
In the first months and years of a relationship, people also celebrate “monthiversaries”. Some ideas:
- First month: a single rose or a small bunch. Better to start small and build up.
- Six months: as many flowers as months together, or their favorite flower.
- First year: carnations, following the traditional list, or red roses. A letter looking back on the year means more than the size of the bouquet.
And if you want more excuses, there’s Girlfriend Day (August 1) and Boyfriend Day (October 3).
Which color to choose
- Red: passion and romantic love.
- Pink: tenderness and closeness.
- White: the memory of the wedding, purity.
- Yellow: joy and friendship: perfect if you see yourselves as “best friends”.
- Purple: admiration and a hint of mystery.
Ideas to make it special
- Recreate the wedding bouquet, even on a small scale. The florist can recreate it from a photo.
- One flower for each year together, each with a note about a memory from that year.
- A plant to plant together: a rosebush or a small tree that grows with you.
- Seasonal flowers from the month of your wedding: check that month’s page in flowers by month.
Frequently asked questions
Which flowers should you give for an anniversary?
Red roses are the classic, but what moves people most is repeating a flower with a story: the one from your wedding bouquet, from your first date or their favorite.
Which flower goes with each anniversary?
In the popular US list: 1 year, carnation; 2, lily of the valley; 3, sunflower; 4, hydrangea; 5, daisy; 6, calla lily; 7, freesia; 8, lilac; 9, bird of paradise; 10, daffodil; 11, tulip; 12, peony; 13, chrysanthemum; 14, dahlia; 15, rose.
Which flowers should you give for your first dating anniversary?
Red or pink roses, or carnations, which are the flower of the first year in the traditional list. A bouquet with as many flowers as months together is another popular idea.
Which flowers are given for silver and gold anniversaries?
For 25 years, iris or white roses with silver touches. For 50, yellow roses or violets, according to the traditional list.
How many roses do you give for an anniversary?
There’s no official rule. One rose for each year together is a nice idea for early anniversaries; beyond a certain number, a thoughtful bouquet is better than a quantity.
