What Color Roses Are Best for an Anniversary?

If you're wondering what color roses are best for an anniversary, the short answer is red, unless your partner would rather have something else. Each rose colour carries a traditional meaning, and knowing them helps you pick a bouquet that fits the two of you, whether it's your first year or your fortieth.

We design anniversary bouquets by hand in our studio in Oak Ridges, at the north end of Richmond Hill, and deliver them across Toronto, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Markham and the rest of York Region. Below is what each colour traditionally says, which years have their own flowers, and why the traditional answer isn't always the right one for every couple.

What rose colour says on an anniversary

Most of the meanings we still use come from the Victorian habit of sending messages with flowers, when each colour of rose stood for something specific. Hardly anyone checks a dictionary of flower meanings before opening a bouquet now, but the broad strokes have stuck. Red still reads as romance, yellow still reads as friendship, and your partner will probably pick up on that without being told.

Red roses: the classic choice for passion and love

Red roses are the most popular anniversary flower for good reason. They stand for deep love and romance, which is what most people want to say on an anniversary. A dozen red roses works for any year, and they carry extra weight on the years tied to romance, like the first, or the fifteenth, when roses are the traditional flower.

A practical note: red roses open over two or three days in a warm room, so a bouquet that arrives a little tight will look fuller by the weekend. Choose red if you want a gesture nobody could mistake for anything but romantic.

Pink roses: grace, admiration and gentle love

Pink roses traditionally mean gratitude, admiration and gentle affection. Pale pink is sweet and soft, while deep pink sits closer to red and reads as more romantic. Pink is a good fit if your relationship feels more like warmth and thankfulness than fireworks, or if you'd like to say thank you for the year as much as I love you.

White roses: purity, new beginnings and unity

White roses stand for unity and new beginnings, which is why so many brides carry them. On an anniversary they make sense for a vow renewal, a milestone year or a fresh start after a hard stretch. They also suit anyone whose taste runs quiet and simple. White roses with plenty of eucalyptus look clean and grown-up.

Yellow roses: friendship and joy

Yellow roses traditionally mean friendship rather than romance. That's no reason to avoid them. For couples who were friends first, or who'd call each other their best friend, yellow can be a cheerful and honest choice. If you're worried the message could be misread, mix in a few red roses.

Orange roses: enthusiasm and excitement

Orange roses stand for energy and desire. They're a less expected choice and suit couples who like to do things a bit differently, or anyone who'd find a dozen red roses a little predictable. Orange looks great next to deep pink, if you're feeling brave.

Lavender and purple roses: love at first sight

Lavender and purple roses are traditionally tied to love at first sight. They're a nice nod to how you met, and they stand out from the usual red and pink. These shades aren't always on the market the week you need them, so if you have your heart set on lavender, call us at (437) 291-5605 before you order.

Peach and coral roses: gratitude and sincerity

Peach roses sit between pink and orange and traditionally mean gratitude and sincerity. They're softer than red and work well in mixed bouquets. If your partner finds red a bit much, peach is the colour we'd suggest instead.

Do anniversary years have traditional flower colors?

Yes, though the lists vary depending on where you look. These are the flowers and colour themes most often linked to milestone years:

• 1st: Carnations traditionally. Red roses are a common substitute for a first year.
• 5th: Daisies. Yellow roses fit the same cheerful mood.
• 10th: Daffodils. Deep pink or red roses are the usual modern stand-in.
• 15th: Roses. Red is traditional, but any colour works.
• 25th (silver): Iris on most lists. To echo the silver theme, many people choose white roses instead.
• 40th (ruby): Gladiolus or nasturtium, depending on the list. Deep red roses suit the ruby theme.
• 50th (golden): Yellow roses and violets. Yellow or gold roses match the golden theme.

For more on this, see our guide to anniversary flowers by year.

Mixed bouquets: when one color isn't enough

There's no rule saying anniversary roses have to be one colour. Red and white together are a classic pair for passion and unity. Pink, peach and a little lavender make a softer, gentler mix. Mixed bouquets also let you fold in a partner's favourite colour without losing the romantic feel. Spray roses, which carry several small blooms on one stem, are a good way to fill out a mixed bouquet without making it look stiff.

How to choose the right rose color for your anniversary

1. Think about the tone of your relationship. Passionate? Red or deep pink. Playful? Orange or a bright mix. Built on friendship? Yellow, maybe with a few red.
2. Check the anniversary year. Milestone years often have a traditional colour that's nice to honour.
3. Go with your partner's taste. Their favourite colour matters more than anything on a symbolism chart.
4. Mix if you want to. A bouquet that fits the two of you will mean more than a single traditional colour.

Order anniversary roses in Toronto, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Markham and the GTA

We deliver anniversary bouquets across Toronto, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Markham and the rest of York Region, seven days a week. Order by 1 pm for same-day delivery to most postal codes, or book a future date at checkout so the flowers land on the day itself. You can pick a morning, afternoon or anytime window.

Add a gift message and we'll tuck it in with the flowers. Prices are never included. If one of the roses isn't up to standard that morning, we swap it for a stem of equal or higher value in the same colours.

Frequently asked questions

What color roses mean love for an anniversary? Red roses are the traditional symbol of romantic love and the most common anniversary choice.

What's the best rose color for a 25th anniversary? White or silver-toned roses are a popular pick for a 25th, or silver, anniversary, even though iris is the traditional flower on most lists.

Can I mix rose colors in one anniversary bouquet? Yes. Red and white together, for example, combine passion and unity.

Do yellow roses mean anything negative for anniversaries? No. They traditionally mean friendship rather than romance, which suits couples whose relationship started as, or still is, a friendship.

Where can I order anniversary roses in the GTA? We deliver anniversary roses across Toronto and York Region, including Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Markham.

When you're ready, have a look at our anniversary flowers and love and romance collections, or get in touch if you'd like to talk colours first.