Romance and flowers have gone hand in hand for hundreds of years. They are probably the most common first gift exchanged at the beginning of a relationship. They also play an essential part at weddings. So, celebrating another year of wedded bliss wouldn’t be truly complete without anniversary flowers either.
How Anniversary Flowers Carry Messages
Roses are the go-to for celebrating another year of marriage — they're timeless symbols of love. But did you know that each wedding anniversary has its own special flower associated with it? From traditional anniversary flowers like daisies and lilies to more unique choices like orchids and asters, each bloom carries its own meaning and adds a beautiful, symbolic touch to your celebration.
The tradition of assigning flowers to anniversaries dates back to the Victorian era. Just as they categorized traditional wedding anniversary gifts, the Victorians couldn’t resist giving specific blooms special meanings. And, to make things interesting, different colors of the same flower often carried different messages.
Looking to follow tradition or find the perfect floral gift? Our guide below breaks down the symbolic flower for each anniversary, along with creative ideas on how to incorporate them into your celebrations, ensuring your special day blooms beautifully.
List of Anniversary Flowers
1st Anniversary: Carnation
Carnations symbolize youthful, passionate love—much like that first year of marriage, filled with excitement and fresh emotions. Gifting a bouquet of carnations is a classic choice for a first anniversary gift. Pair it with a handwritten love letter on paper (a nod to the traditional first anniversary gift), and you’ve got yourself a winning combination!
2nd Anniversary: Cosmos
Cosmos flowers are associated with harmony and peacefulness, which is fitting for the second year, as the initial “newlywed” rush has settled into a more balanced partnership. Present a bouquet of cosmos in a beautiful vase, or choose a cosmos-themed accessory to keep the romance alive.
3rd Anniversary: Sunflower
Sunflowers represent loyalty, longevity, and adoration, perfectly capturing the spirit of three years of marriage. Bring some sunshine into your home with a cheerful bouquet of sunflowers, have a sunflower-themed picnic, or take a trip to a sunflower field and snap some romantic photos.
4th Anniversary: Geranium
Geraniums symbolize comfort and togetherness, qualities that deepen over four years. A potted geranium plant is a charming gift choice. Alternatively, geranium-scented candles or essential oils can add a comforting aroma to your home, serving as a subtle, fragrant reminder of your bond.
5th Anniversary: Daisy
Daisies are a symbol of purity, innocence, and loyal love—qualities that define a relationship that has grown over five years. Gift a whimsical bouquet of daisies, or daisy-themed home decor, like cushions or art prints, to remind you of this milestone.
6th Anniversary: Calla Lily
Calla lilies symbolize growth, elegance, and beauty, fitting for a marriage entering its sixth year. A calla lily bouquet, calla lily-themed decor, or a garden lily plant are all perfect gift choices to celebrate your 6th married year.
7th Anniversary: Freesia
Freesias represent trust and friendship, key components of a strong seven-year marriage. A bouquet of freesias, a freesia-scented perfume or candle, or freesia-themed art are all great choices to celebrate this milestone.
8th Anniversary: Lilac
Lilacs symbolize the emotions of first love and the nostalgia of early days together. A lilac bouquet, lilac-scented products, or lilac-themed accessories make perfect gifts. Alternatively, you can plant a lilac bush in your garden.
9th Anniversary: Bird of Paradise
This flower symbolizes adventure, magnificence and joy, reflecting the vibrancy of nine years together. Try gifting a bouquet featuring Bird of Paradise, or tropical-themed decor items. Or why not arrange a romantic visit to a botanical garden?
10th Anniversary: Daffodil
Daffodils symbolize new beginnings and rebirth—perfect for a decade together when couples often reassess and renew their commitment to one another. A bouquet of bright yellow daffodils can light up any room (and any heart!). Alternatively, you can gift a daffodil-themed keepsake, like jewelry or a painting.
11th Anniversary: Tulip
Tulips are symbols of perfect love and deep understanding, fitting for the 11th year. A tulip bouquet, or planting tulip bulbs for spring blooms is a great spring anniversary gift. In other months, you can gift tulip-themed accessories or home decor.
12th Anniversary: Peony
Peonies represent prosperity, romance, and a happy marriage, ideal for the 12th anniversary. A bouquet of peonies is a lovely gift, or you can present peony-scented items, or peony-themed wall art.
13th Anniversary: Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums symbolize fidelity, optimism, and joy, marking 13 years of shared happiness. A bouquet of chrysanthemums, chrysanthemum tea, chrysanthemum-themed home decor, or planting chrysanthemums in the garden are all great gift choices.
14th Anniversary: Dahlia
Dahlias signify elegance and inner strength, reflecting the resilient beauty of a long-lasting marriage. Brilliant gift choices include bouquet of dahlias, dahlia-themed accessories, or a garden dahlia plant.
15th Anniversary: Rose
Roses, especially red ones, symbolize love and passion, which is still going strong after fifteen years of marriage. This flower represents the enduring beauty and strength of your relationship. Opt for a classic bouquet of roses. For a fun twist, create a rose petal trail leading to a surprise anniversary dinner at home.
16th Anniversary: Statice
Also known as sea lavender, statice represents remembrance and success, suitable for reflecting on cherished memories. A statice bouquet, dried flower arrangements, or a book of shared memories make great gift choices for this year.
17th Anniversary: Red Carnation
Red carnations express deep love and admiration, fitting for a couple that has stayed strong. Opt for a red carnation bouquet, red carnation-themed gifts, or a painting featuring the flower.
18th Anniversary: Yellow Rose
Yellow roses stand for friendship and joy, celebrating the companionship built over 18 years. A bouquet of yellow roses are the perfect gift for this anniversary, or choose yellow rose-scented products, or a photo album highlighting friendship.
19th Anniversary: White Lilac
White lilacs represent memories and youthful innocence, fitting for reflecting on shared history. A white lilac bouquet, lilac-scented products, or lilac-themed accessories make perfect gifts. Alternatively, you can plant a white lilac bush in your garden.
20th Anniversary: Aster
Asters symbolize love, wisdom, and faith. After two decades, couples have not only grown in love but also in wisdom and shared experiences. Gift a bouquet of asters, or consider aster-themed jewelry or artwork. You could also plant asters in your garden to serve as a beautiful, living reminder of your journey.
25th Anniversary: Iris
Irises symbolize faith, hope, and wisdom—qualities that define a relationship that has stood the test of a quarter-century. A vibrant bouquet of irises can make a stunning gift. For something a bit different, consider iris-scented bath products or a silk scarf with iris motifs.
30th Anniversary: Lily
Lilies symbolize commitment, devotion, and everlasting love. A lily bouquet is a lovely and classic floral tribute. If you want to do something different, consider a lily-themed gift like a decorative vase, a piece of jewelry, or a lily-scented candle or perfume.
40th Anniversary: Gladiolus
Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character and sincerity. After forty years, these qualities are a testament to your enduring relationship and shared journey. A bouquet of gladiolus can make a bold and meaningful statement. Or, consider a gladiolus-themed piece of art or home decor.
50th Anniversary: Yellow Rose and Violet
Yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy, while violets symbolize humility and faithfulness. Together, they represent the balance of joy and respect that comes from a relationship that has thrived for half a century. A bouquet of yellow roses or violets is a beautiful a gift - so are yellow rose and violet-themed gifts like a custom quilt or a hand-painted vase. Or, plan a golden-themed anniversary party with these flowers as the centerpiece.
60th Anniversary: Orchid
Orchids symbolize love, luxury, beauty, and strength. After six decades together, your relationship embodies all these qualities and more. A potted orchid plant is a sophisticated gift that symbolizes your enduring love. You could also book a romantic getaway to an exotic location where orchids bloom naturally.
Wrapping Up Your Anniversary Blooms
Flowers can speak volumes, especially when they are carefully chosen to symbolize the unique qualities of each anniversary year. Whether you’re opting for a traditional bouquet, a potted plant, or a floral-themed gift, incorporating anniversary flowers into your celebration adds a special touch of beauty and meaning. And remember, just like a garden, your love needs nurturing, care, and a little bit of sunshine to continue blossoming year after year.
So, next time you’re celebrating an anniversary, let flowers do the talking. They’re not just for special occasions—they’re the perfect way to celebrate love, every day!