Top 20 Anniversary Flower Gift Ideas for Couples

Here are 20 anniversary flower gift ideas for couples, from a plain dozen red roses to recreating the bouquet from your wedding day. Some use flowers from our current range, designed in our studio in Oak Ridges, at the north end of Richmond Hill. A few, like orchids and preserved roses, are general ideas you'd find elsewhere, and we've said so where that's the case.

If you'd rather skip ahead, our anniversary flower gift picks are in the love and romance collection, and there's a separate page for anniversary flowers.

1. Classic red roses

Red roses mean romantic love, and nobody will misread them. A dozen is the traditional count. If they're going into a tall vase at home, long stems keep them from sitting too low. Our roses are here.

2. White roses

White roses stand for loyalty and commitment, and some couples choose them for a 25th (silver) anniversary or a vow renewal because they sit well next to silver and white. One drawback: white petals show every bruise.

3. Mixed rose bouquets

Each colour adds something. Red for love, pink for gratitude, white for commitment, peach for sincerity. Our advice is to stick to two or three colours. Past that, a mixed rose bouquet starts to look like a sample tray rather than a message.

4. Pink peonies

Peonies are traditionally linked with a happy marriage and good fortune, and some anniversary lists give them to the 12th year. They open dramatically over a few days. Local peony season is short, roughly late May through June. Outside that window they're imported and cost more. See our peonies.

5. Orchids

Orchids stand for lasting love and strength, and some lists match them to the 28th anniversary. A potted orchid can hold its flowers for weeks and rebloom the next year, which is a nice symbol for a long marriage. Orchids aren't in our current range, so this is one to source from a plant shop.

6. Lilies

Lilies mean devotion. Oriental lilies like stargazers have a strong, sweet scent, and their buds open one after another, so the bouquet gets fuller across the week. Lilies are toxic to cats, so skip them for a cat household, or mention the cat in the order notes and we'll design around it. Our lilies are here.

7. Sunflower anniversary bouquets

Sunflowers mean loyalty and happiness, and they're the traditional flower for a third anniversary on many lists. They suit a couple who'd find a dozen red roses a bit much. They're at their best in late summer and drink a lot, so top up the vase daily. See our sunflowers.

8. Tulip arrangements

Tulips are traditionally a declaration of perfect love, and some lists give them to the 11th anniversary. Colour changes the message:

• Red tulips mean true love.
• Pink tulips mean affection.
• Purple tulips mean admiration.
• White tulips mean forgiveness and respect.

They're a spring flower and keep growing in the vase, bending toward the light. Our tulips are here.

9. Hydrangea bouquets

Hydrangeas mean gratitude, which makes them a good choice for a "thank you for putting up with me" kind of anniversary. One head fills a lot of space, so a hydrangea bouquet looks generous without a huge stem count. If one wilts, dunk the whole head in cool water for half an hour. See our hydrangeas.

10. Garden-inspired mixed seasonal flowers

A garden-style bouquet mixes several flowers so it looks gathered rather than arranged. Ours are designed by hand from that day's flowers, and might include:

• Roses
• Eucalyptus
• Snapdragons
• Lisianthus
• Hydrangeas

No two are quite the same.

11. Preserved rose boxes

Preserved roses are real roses treated so they keep their shape and colour for months, often a year or more, with no water. Keep them out of direct sun and humidity or the colour fades and the petals go limp. They're a specialty product rather than fresh flowers, and we don't make them.

12. Hat box arrangements

A hat box arrangement sets flowers in a round box, usually in wet floral foam, so it arrives ready to display. Check whether the recipient needs to add water, since a box that dries out fades fast. A vase arrangement does the same job and is easier to keep going.

13. Personalized floral arrangements

The best anniversary bouquet is often just their favourite flower, or your wedding colours. If you want a bouquet to echo something specific, say so in the order notes or call us at (437) 291-5605 before you order.

14. Anniversary flowers with chocolates

A classic pairing. Our suggestion: pick the chocolates yourself from a shop you both like and hand them over in person, with the flowers arriving earlier in the day.

15. Flowers and wine

Same idea: the flowers go to the door, and the bottle comes with you to dinner. A wine from where you honeymooned says more than any gift set.

16. Floral centrepieces for anniversary parties

For a party, keep table centrepieces below eye level so people can talk across the table, or go very tall and narrow so the flowers sit above everyone's heads. For a dinner, low and unscented is the safer bet. Our celebrations page covers event flowers.

17. Anniversary flower subscription

Instead of one bouquet, a subscription keeps fresh flowers coming after the day itself has passed. See how our flower subscriptions work.

18. Birth month flower bouquets

Birth flowers make a bouquet about the person rather than the date. A few examples:

• January: carnation
• April: daisy
• June: rose
• August: gladiolus
• November: chrysanthemum

Carnations, daisies, roses and chrysanthemums are all in our current range.

19. Wedding flower recreation bouquets

Recreating the wedding bouquet is about as personal as it gets. Dig out a good photo of the original. If you married in June with peonies and your anniversary is in November, a florist may need to match the colours and shape with what's in season rather than copy it stem for stem. For anything event-sized, see our weddings page.

20. Luxury designer anniversary arrangements

For a 25th, 40th or 50th, some couples go big: several dozen roses, or roses with lilies and lots of greenery. Ecuadorian roses are often used for these because they have large heads and long, straight stems. Cymbidium orchids also turn up in high-end designs. Our own larger designs are in the luxury collection.

How to choose the right anniversary flowers

The anniversary year

Many lists match a flower to each anniversary. Traditionally:

• 1st anniversary: carnations
• 10th anniversary: daffodils
• 25th anniversary: iris
• 50th anniversary: yellow roses

These lists vary from source to source, so treat them as a starting point. Our guide to anniversary flowers by year has the full list.

Favourite flowers

Their favourite flower beats any traditional rule.

Colour preferences

Flower colours carry their own meanings:

• Red: passion
• Pink: admiration
• White: commitment
• Yellow: friendship and happiness
• Purple: dignity and respect

The style of celebration

Roses and lilies suit a formal dinner. Sunflowers and garden-style mixes suit a backyard or a picnic.

What flowers do that other anniversary gifts don't

Flowers are a gift you see every time you walk past the table for a week, and they take the pressure off finding the right words. They also leave room for the rest of the day: a bouquet in the morning, dinner at night.

Anniversary flower delivery across the GTA

We deliver across York Region and Toronto seven days a week, including Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Aurora and Toronto. Order by 1 pm for same-day delivery to most postal codes, or book a future date at checkout and pick a morning or afternoon window. Add a gift message and we tuck it in with the flowers. Prices are never included with a delivery. The delivery page has fees and areas.

Order from Laris Florist and we'll design your anniversary bouquet by hand on the day.