If you are celebrating a wedding anniversary, you might want to surprise your spouse with anniversary flowers that correspond to the number of years you have been married. In 1937, certain flowers were assigned to each year of marriage to help husbands and wives pick out the best bouquets for their loved ones. If you have a specific flower that is special to the both of you, obviously that flower should be included in any anniversary present or celebration, regardless of the year. However, if you are having trouble deciding what type of flower to give the love of your life on your anniversary, there is a simple list that can be followed year by year.
The early years are represented by bright, gorgeous blooms that represent hope and passion. On your first anniversary, give carnations. Choose a romantic color such as red or pink, or go with a mixed bouquet. Carnations are not terribly expensive, so pick a dozen or two of your favorite colors. For your second anniversary together, present a bouquet of lily of the valley, and on your third anniversary, give sunflowers. Hydrangeas should make up your fourth anniversary bouquet, and daisies are the perfect pick to celebrate your fifth year together. Remember to select colors that you both love. Or, stick with white to represent purity and faith.
Things get elegant in year six and fragrant in year seven. Give a bunch of calla lilies and freesia respectively. Lilacs should be your 8-year anniversary gift, and the exotic and intriguing bird of paradise is the appointed flower for year nine. Get excited about your first decade together by presenting him or her with daffodils, and get some tulips for the eleventh year. Tulips can come in any color, and they look gorgeous in a clear vase. Choose pretty peonies for your 12-year anniversary. They look nice in purple or pink. For years 13 and 14, you should select chrysanthemums and dahlias. Dahlias are especially beautiful in fiery orange and red shades.
If you have been wondering about roses, you get to give them on your 15th anniversary. Choose red to represent love and passion, or a shade of pink for beauty and fidelity. Skipping ahead, ask a florist for some of the prettiest aster in the shop to celebrate your 20 years together. The 25th anniversary flower is the iris, and the 30th anniversary flower is the lily. Your 50th anniversary will hopefully include a party with all of your closest friends and family members. You should also include a yellow rose in the festivities.
The appointed flowers for each anniversary celebration are not set in stone. They are simply recommended anniversary flowers if you are unsure of what to choose, or if you want to follow a gift giving tradition. It might be fun to surprise your spouse with a new flower every year. If you have a favorite, however, be sure to use that flower. Whatever you choose, your bouquet should express how much you love and cherish each other.
