Flowers have long held more meaning beyond just being “pretty” or nice to look at. In older days, you could tell someone you loved them, hated them, or just wanted to hold hands out by the water–all by picking the correct arrangement of flowers!
Nowadays, of course, we tend just to text someone if we want to let them know what we think, but that doesn’t mean that flowers have lost their meaning. Flowers and bouquets are still pretty popular, especially regarding holidays or special occasions like anniversaries. But did you know that specific flowers are associated with many anniversary years, from the first to the fiftieth? Here are just a few, in case you were thinking of buying that special someone an anniversary bouquet.
1st Anniversary – Carnations
For the very first anniversary, a couple will celebrate with carnations. These flowers are vibrant and appear young, bright, and cheerful in their own way – which perfectly coincides with that first blush of a newly married life together. These flowers symbolize passionate love, making them perfect for those just wedded.
2nd Anniversary – Cosmos
By the second year, most couples are already heading out of their honeymoon phase and into the more serious aspects of their relationship. This makes the Cosmos flower, which represents balance and harmony, the perfect flower to give to couples just falling into their, hopefully, lifelong routine.
3rd Anniversary – Sunflowers
The third anniversary brings us to the bright and beautiful sunflower as its representative. These bright yellow bouquets symbolize adoration and longevity, and even though three years isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things, it is long enough to celebrate with a bunch of sunflowers.
4th Anniversary – Geranium
Year four is the year of the Geranium, which traditionally represents happiness, fertility, love, and joy, which is perfect for any happily married pair. It says that the relationship between the two has grown deeper and more loving over time.
5th Anniversary – Daisies
The fifth anniversary is all about daisies, representing innocence, purity, and hidden love. By the fifth year, a couple has uncovered more of each other’s “hidden” selves, and these cheerful, simple blooms capture that continued sense of discovery and appreciation. While white daisies are the traditional gift, red daisies can have the added benefit of symbolizing love as well!
6th Anniversary – Calla Lilies
The elegant Calla Lily beautifully represents a couple’s sixth anniversary. These flowers are already known to symbolize marital bliss and faithfulness, so they are the perfect flowers to celebrate how a couple has grown together in so many ways. It reflects the milestones they’ve achieved while looking ahead to a shared future.
7th Anniversary – Freesias
Freesia flowers take center stage in representing the seventh anniversary, which is especially apt as they represent trust, friendship, and a deepening thoughtfulness. After seven years, these fragrant blossoms can stand for a stronger bond between partners, and giving freesias commemorates the beauty of a relationship that has continued to evolve over time.
8th Anniversary – Clematis
The flower that marks the eighth year of marriage is the Clematis, a flower that has come to symbolize the strength of the emotional connection between two people. Plus, its intricate vines can stand for the woven-together nature of a couple’s lives and their willingness to support one another.
9th Anniversary – Poppies
For the ninth anniversary, the brilliantly bold Poppy flower steps into the spotlight. The pretty poppy symbolizes remembrance, imagination, and resilience, and after nearly a decade together, couples often look back on their shared experiences, challenges, and triumphs. A bouquet of poppies is a brilliant reminder of the strength and joy of a loving relationship.
10th Anniversary – Daffodils
When it comes to celebrating a full decade of partnership, we’ve got the bright and cheerful Daffodil as the standout flower. These sunny blooms represent renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings, making it a fitting choice for couples reaching such an important milestone. They also are said to guarantee happiness, but only if given in bunches – singular daffodils are said to be signs of misfortune!
15th Anniversary – Roses
The next major milestone a couple celebrates is the 15th anniversary, which is a huge achievement for anyone! And what better way to symbolize this milestone than with the timeless Rose? These flowers represent love, passion, and beauty, so they’re already popular for weddings and gifts, but also to celebrate the enduring love and devotion shared in a long-lasting marriage. Whether red, pink, white, or yellow, roses are a classic way to honor this anniversary.
20th Anniversary – Asters
The twentieth anniversary is represented by the Aster, a flower of wisdom, patience, and love (of course!) After two decades together, most couples have built a strong foundation of understanding and mutual respect, which Asters perfectly represents. These delicate blooms also stand for good fortune and gratitude, which makes them a lovely tribute to two decades of togetherness with the hope for many more to come.
25th Anniversary – Iris
The silver anniversary calls for the Iris, a flower representing faith, courage, and wisdom. Like the silver milestone, the Iris signifies the strength of a bond that has withstood a major test of time. This beautiful flower comes in a rainbow of colors, each with its added symbolism, making it a wonderful flower representing 25 remarkable years together.
30th Anniversary – Lilies
The thirtieth anniversary brings us to the stunning Lily, which traditionally stands for new beginnings, devotion, and gratitude. After three decades, these blooms signify the renewed commitment and deepened love that comes with a partnership that has stood strong for such a long time.
40th Anniversary – Gladiolus
The Gladiolus, which represents strength, integrity, and infatuation, is the flower chosen for the fortieth anniversary. Its tall, sword-like stems symbolize the resilience and pride of a relationship that has flourished over four decades and reminds couples of the determination, strength, and passion that has been a key part of their love story.
50th Anniversary – Yellow Roses & Violets
The golden anniversary is celebrated with a combination of Yellow Roses and Violets. Yellow Roses symbolize friendship, joy, and love that has matured gracefully over fifty years, while Violets signify modesty and loyalty. These flowers beautifully represent half a century of companionship, laughter, and unwavering devotion, making them a perfect tribute to this monumental milestone.