Are you soon celebrating the birthday of someone special and would like to give them flowers? Are you wondering what type of flowers would make them happy?
You’ve come to the right place.
As a florist, I’ve noticed that birthdays are one of the main occasions for which my clients buy flowers. Indeed, it’s a gift that always brings joy and adds a little happiness to everyday life for a few days.
That’s why I decided to create this comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect floral gift for a birthday, based on the person’s age, their preferences, what they mean to you, or simply the season in which they were born.
For a loved one’s birthday, the best idea is to give a bouquet with the number of flowers matching the person’s age. You can choose red roses if it’s your partner or colorful blooms for a close friend or family member. You might also consider seasonal flowers, such as tulips, anemones, or ranunculus in winter, peonies and wildflowers in spring or summer, or dahlias in autumn. A beautiful bouquet of exotic flowers or a preserved rose makes for a unique floral gift for a birthday.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- Reasons to give flowers for a birthday,
- Which flowers to choose for a young woman or an older lady,
- Whether it’s appropriate to give flowers to a man for his birthday,
- The list of seasonal flowers for each time of year,
- Creative floral gift ideas to surprise the birthday person!
Why Give Flowers for a Birthday?
Flowers have been given as gifts since ancient times: in antiquity, they were seen as a precious gift because of their medicinal properties. Introduced to Europe in the 18th century, the language of flowers also transformed the way we gift them: each flower carries a specific meaning, allowing a message to be conveyed to the recipient.
On the occasion of a birthday, flowers make a perfect gift that is sure to bring joy. They add a touch of cheerfulness and a bit of nature to the daily life of the person receiving them and convey your affection for them.
You have two options:
- Give only flowers,
- Give flowers as a complement to a gift, which is especially suitable when the gift is money or a simple envelope containing cash for a trip, a voucher for a massage, concert tickets…
👉 What other anniversaries can we celebrate with flowers?
The classic birthday is not the only occasion that can be celebrated with flowers. They’re also perfect for:
- a wedding anniversary or relationship milestone,
- celebrating a long period of involvement in a community or professional project, such as 30 years of working at the same company, etc.
What Flowers to Give Based on the Recipient’s Age?
Tastes are unique to each individual and change throughout life. That’s why I want to take a moment to discuss this topic, highlighting the main trends that emerge at different ages based on my observations as a florist.
🔸 Up to 35-40 years old, young girls and women typically enjoy:
- Pastel flowers with soft hues,
- Seasonal flower bouquets and small blooms,
- Rose bouquets featuring shades of pink (especially for young girls),
- Dried flowers.
🔸 Ages 40 to 65 are highly favored:
- Vibrant and warm colors: red, orange, yellow…
- Bold arrangements,
- Bouquets of red roses,
- Exotic flowers: Orchid, Bird of Paradise…
🔸 Starting at age 65, women typically lean towards:
- Flowering plants,
- Bulbs: hyacinths, daffodils, etc.,
- Bouquets of roses in assorted colors,
- Colorful seasonal bouquets.
👉 Another gift idea is to give the recipient their birth flower on their birthday. This ancient tradition assigns a flower symbol to each month of the year. To find the list of birth flowers from January to December, check out our complete guide on the topic!
Can You Give Flowers to a Man for His Birthday?
So far, I’ve mostly talked about women’s preferences, as they are the main recipients of most floral gifts. However, you might want to give flowers to a man for his birthday, whether it’s your partner, a close friend, or a colleague.
Some of them really love flowers and would be happy to receive a bouquet. However, if the man you want to gift isn’t very close to you or if you have any doubts, I recommend giving him a flowering plant or even a unique green plant (like a cactus, bonsai, calathea, etc.). By choosing this option, you can be sure that you’ll give him a gift he’ll appreciate and that he can keep for a long time!
👉 For more information on this topic, check out our article dedicated to this question!
What Flowers to Give Depending on the Season?
While some flowers are available year-round at florists, you might opt to give seasonal flowers, which are trendy, eco-friendly, and often more affordable! Here’s a brief selection of standout flowers for each season of the year.
Spring Seasonal Flowers
- Paeony,
- Anemone,
- Buttercup,
- Lily of the Valley (early May!),
- Lilac,
- Rose,
- Speedwell,
- Carnation,
- Wallflower,
- Daffodil,
- Grape Hyacinth,
- Viburnum,
- Iris.
Paeony / Lily of the Valley / Hydrangea
Flowers That Bloom in Summer
- Lisianthus,
- Gladiolus,
- Gerbera,
- Zinnia,
- Scabious,
- Thistle,
- Cock’s Comb,
- Delphinium,
- Bellflower,
- Astrantia,
- Baby’s Breath,
- Hydrangea
- Cornflower.
The Colorful Flowers of Autumn
- Dahlia,
- Gerbera,
- Geranium,
- Chrysanthemum,
- Cosmos,
- Various Grasses,
- Statice,
- Star of Bethlehem.
Dahlia / Anemone / Ranunculus
The Iconic Flowers of Winter
- Freesia,
- Tulip,
- Camelia,
- Mimosa,
- Hyacinths,
- Amaryllis,
- Exotic flowers (It’s summer on the other side of the world!): Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis, Bird of Paradise, Porcelain Rose…
- Towards the end of winter: Ranunculus, Anemone.
What Color Flowers Should You Give for a Birthday?
Choosing flowers by variety can be a bit complex, especially if you don’t have the time or if you’re not very familiar with this world. That’s why I’m offering this little guide, focused more on colors, to help you find the perfect flower for the birthday person.
For the Birthday of Your Loved One
If it’s your partner’s birthday, you might consider a romantic and passionate gift by giving red flowers. If you’re looking to express affection, a variety of pink flowers would be more appropriate. White flowers symbolize pure intentions and loyalty.
Of course, you can simply choose a combination of the favorite colors of the person you share your life with. A bouquet that matches your decor will also be perfect in this situation: don’t hesitate to ask your florist for advice by mentioning the colors of your decor!
For a Friend or Loved One’s Birthday
Yellow and orange flowers traditionally symbolize friendship, as well as positive emotions like joy and enthusiasm. When combined with bright colors, such as blue or lime green, you will create a vibrant and cheerful look, perfect for celebrating the birthday of someone special to you.
You might also consider a combination of white and yellow flowers, which creates a bright and cheerful result, perfect for celebrating the arrival of warm days and evoking the comforting sunshine of spring.
🌞 A composition with dried flowers in vibrant colors is a great choice if the weather is warm and you’re concerned about your flowers wilting!
For the Birthday of Someone You’re Not Very Close To
For someone you aren’t very close to, you have several options available to you:
- A multicolored bouquet that’s perfect for any season and cheerful,
- A green and white bouquet, classic and suitable for a more formal gift,
- A two-tone arrangement that remains simple and elegant.
4 Unique Floral Gift Ideas to Break Away from Traditional Rose Bouquets!
Are you looking to give a unique floral birthday gift that stands out from the rest? Check out these 4 extraordinary ideas to surprise your loved ones!
A Composition of Exotic Flowers
Tropical flowers are known for their wide variety of colors and patterns. They last longer in a vase than traditional flowers, making them a perfect choice for surprising someone who appreciates unique arrangements and decorations!
A Rare Flowering Plant for Your Garden or Home
For someone who loves gardening and nature, a unique flowering plant is truly a gift! They will have the joy of caring for it and watching it grow and change every day.
👉 If you choose an outdoor plant, make sure the person has enough space for it to grow: some of them can turn into quite large shrubs!
An Eternal Rose
These stunning flowers frozen in time are real natural roses, carefully selected for their beauty, with their sap replaced by glycerin, a preservative commonly found in many cosmetics.
🌹 Discover this unique gift directly in our online store! We offer original and colorful creations for that special gift!
A Bear Made of Roses
If you’re looking for a sweet and thoughtful gift for a little girl, a young woman, or a mom, why not surprise her with an adorable teddy bear covered in roses? It will make a beautiful decoration for her room, reminding her of you every single day!
🧸 Our little teddy bears are waiting for you, available in all colors, at our specialty shop for floral gifts!
I hope this article has helped you find the perfect floral gift to celebrate another year with the birthday person!
Want to learn more about floral gifts? Check out our dedicated guides to find the perfect present for:
- Your partner,
- Your best friend,
- Your grandma,
- Your mom!