Anniversary Flowers

Romance has long been inextricably linked to different types of flowers symbolizing different emotions. Find out how this tradition is carried on to celebrate wedding anniversaries.

The beauty of flowers and the celebration of love are harmonious – so much so that it’s difficult to remember a time when we didn’t associate romance with the delight of receiving a fragrant fresh anniversary bouquet.

While roses are truly the quintessential messengers of love (a surefire way to celebrate a new love or romantic milestone), during the Victorian era, couples also used other varieties of fresh flowers to send messages to each other – each expressing a different heartfelt emotion. Those meanings are carried on today as ways to commemorate each wedding anniversary with floral gifts

1. Carnation

1st Anniversary: From the red carnation that symbolizes admiration to the white that represents pure and innocent love or the pink bloom that says “I’ll never forget you,” the carnation – with its long-lasting qualities and clove-like delicate fragrance – embodies joy and commitment promised for years to come.

Carnations have been cultivated in the East for thousands of years, and each color has its own special significance: pink for a mother’s love, red for admiration and white for good luck..

2. Lily of the valley

2nd Anniversary: Signifying happiness and purity of heart, lilies of the valley have long been associated with humility and devotion. Legend has it that a nightingale’s affection for this beautiful flower was so strong that it wouldn’t return to the woods until the flower bloomed in spring.
Elegant and artful, lilies have various meanings depending on their hue. Pure white lilies symbolize chastity and virtue, while brilliant orange tiger lilies convey pride and prosperity.

3. Sunflower

3rd Anniversary: It’s said that a gift of sunflowers signifies a “devout admirer.” Representing strength, warmth and nourishment – all attributes of the sun itself – the way in which a sunflower turns to follow the sun symbolizes deep loyalty and constancy.

Sunflowers are so named not because they look like the sun, but because their heads always tilt to face the sun. A symbol of longevity in China, a gift of sunflowers expresses your pure love.

4. Hydrangea

4th Anniversary: With lush globes filled with a delicate lace of small petals, the hydrangea symbolizes both gratefulness and pride – celebrating heartfelt praise and appreciation With their lacey pompom tops in colors that range from China blue and pretty pink to dusty green and dramatic purple, hydrangeas epitomize lush beauty. The fourth wedding anniversary flower, hydrangeas add enduring grace to any flower arrangement.

5. Daisy

5th Anniversary: While the well-known legend carried over from Victorian times has it that maidens would pluck a daisy’s petals one by one to predict their romantic future, daisies are also known to indicate innocence, purity and gentleness on behalf of both the giver and recipient, declaring: “You have as many virtues as this flower has petals.”

The daisy is a delightfully simple flower that is renowned for its variety of brilliant colors. Give a gift of these cheerful flowers as a symbol of your loyalty and pure intentions.

6. Calla

6th Anniversary: The calla – with its trumpet-shaped blooms and graceful, slender profile – is a symbol of transition and growth, reflecting the beauty and pride gained from shared wisdom over time.
The elegant calla lily has been the muse of artists for centuries. Not surprisingly, the glorious flower is tied to magnificence and beauty and is a traditional symbol and gift of marriage. Our network of Teleflora florists provides same-day delivery, ensuring your floral arrangement arrives fresh, beautiful and ready to be enjoyed.

7. Freesia

7th Anniversary: A symbol of trust and fidelity, freesia is an antidote to the proverbial saying that the seventh year of marriage provokes restlessness. Representing faithfulness through the seasons, it’s a traditional reminder of love’s honorable character.

8. Lilac

8th Anniversary: With their heart-shaped, deep green leaves and irresistibly fragrant blooms, lilacs have been treasured for generations. Reminiscent of springtime and young love, they symbolize and recall love’s first emotions.

9. Bird of paradise

9th Anniversary: Resembling one of the most striking, exotic birds in the world, birds of paradise, with large orange and blue blossoms, symbolize magnificence and splendor – celebrating romance’s unexpected side.

10. Daffodil

10th Anniversary: 10th Anniversary: In nature as in romance the daffodil reminds us of renewal and simple pleasures. Possessing a fresh, sweet fragrance, this joyful bloom symbolizes singular love and chivalry. Whether it’s a lasting union or new love, nothing says romance like flowers.

11. Tulip

11th Anniversary: Symbolizing a declaration of love, legend has it that the tulip’s velvety black center represents a lover’s heart darkened by the heat of passion. Believed by many to be the most romantic of flowers, tulips also represent elegance and grace

12. Peony

12th Anniversary: In full bloom, the lush peony embodies romance and prosperity. Known as the flower of riches and honor, the peony is regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage.

13. Chrysanthemum

13th Anniversary: While misfortune is frequently associated with the number thirteen, there’s nothing unlucky about a chrysanthemum fresh floral arrangement that represents this wedding anniversary. Long associated with abundance and loveliness, the chrysanthemum is also a symbol for fidelity.
Symbols of wealth, fidelity and truth, chrysanthemums have been grown in Chinese gardens for more than 2,000 years. A gift of chrysanthemum flowers conveys your pure intentions, whether to a spouse, friend or business associate.

14. Orchid

14th Anniversary: A pink orchid conveys pure affection. The popular cattelya orchid represents mature charm. With a universal message of love, beauty, wisdom and thoughtfulness, the graceful orchid symbolizes affection and understanding. Getting a gift from our Orchids is a little like taking a trip to paradise.

15. Rose

15th Anniversary: One of the earliest flowers known to man, roses symbolize love, magic, hope and passion. It’s said Cleopatra scattered rose petals before Mark Antony’s feet representing ultimate beauty and perfection. Exquisite and radiant, they are the quintessential messengers of love. From romantic red to cheerful yellow, there’s a rose for every occasion.

16. Aster

20th Anniversary: Believed to have magical properties, the aster is said to be a talisman of love. Symbolizing patience and elegance, the star-like bloom represents a combination of gained wisdom and good fortune.

With their yellow-button centers and colorful blossoms, it’s not surprising that asters have long been considered an enchanted flower. Known as a talisman of love and a symbol of patience, a flower arrangement of asters can work magic with its charm.

17. Iris

25th Anniversary: Combining many of the best characteristics of a long, happy marriage – faith, hope, wisdom, valor and promise – the iris is also the emblem of France, one of the most romantic countries in the world.

It’s said that the iris’s three petals symbolize faith, valor and wisdom – a message anyone would be honored to receive. But we suspect that what really gives this February birth flower and 25th wedding anniversary flower its popular appeal is, quite simply, its distinctive and striking beauty.

18. Lily

30th Anniversary: The majestic status of 30 years of marriage isn’t lost on this anniversary’s flower. In addition to symbolizing magnificence, the sweetly fragrant lily, with its star-shaped bloom, represents devotion, pride and beauty – further testaments to such a significant milestone.
Elegant and artful, lilies have various meanings depending on their hue. Pure white lilies symbolize chastity and virtue, while brilliant orange tiger lilies convey pride and prosperity.

19. Gladiolus

40th Anniversary: Derived from the Latin word gladius, meaning “sword,” for the shape of its leaves, the gladiolus signifies remembrance – fitting for an anniversary with so many years to recall. Also expressing vibrancy and infatuation, this showy flower tells the recipient that he or she “pierces the heart.”

20. Yellow roses & violets

50th Anniversary: It’s not surprising that the wedding anniversary that celebrates a half century of marriage should have two flowers to represent its significance. Yellow roses have long been known as the traditional gift for this anniversary. With their sun-kissed color, lush blossoms and subtle fragrance, they represent the inner light and beauty of a long, prosperous marriage. With yellow roses, violets share the spotlight in commemorating this important occasion. Legend has it that when Josephine married Napoleon, she wore a string of violets, and on every wedding anniversary thereafter, Napoleon sent her a violet bouquet. Symbolizing virtue, modesty and faithfulness, violets represent the combination of humility and commitment that sustains an enduring union. Yellow roses have long symbolized friendship, each sunny flower conveying the joy and warmth that exists between confidantes.