Valentine’s Day is upon us! Celebrating this day can look very different for every couple, so it’s important to communicate with your sweetheart how you would like to spend this day. Do you want to go out for a fancy dinner or stay home and cook? Do you prefer to buy each other gifts or do something more sentimental? Do you want flowers and a box of chocolates, or something more unique to you? 

While not everyone wants flowers for Valentine’s Day, those who do may not know how to communicate exactly what kind of bouquet they desire. We’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll lay out which flowers are universally loved, which flowers to avoid, and the reasons why. This is your go-to guide for all things bouquet buying. Whether you’re purchasing flowers for yourself, your significant other, or your besties, here are some things to consider. 

The first and most important idea to remember is that whatever blooms you buy should be something that the person receiving them enjoys. If you don’t know what they like, check their Pinterest or ask their close friends or family. If that isn’t your style, ask them outright what their favorite flowers are. It is never a bad idea to be certain. A good tip for finding a beautiful bouquet for someone is to consider things they enjoy in general and go from there. Would they enjoy a bright-colored bouquet? Would they prefer something more understated and moody? Are they minimalist or maximalist? Would they buy themselves a big bouquet or a smaller, simple one? Flowers are a great way to showcase personality, so getting someone flowers that match their individuality is the perfect way to go.

If you don’t know what flowers they would like and don’t want to ask, roses are a concrete option to get for Valentine’s Day. As they are the most classic and versatile flowers, they can mean many different things. Red roses represent love and desire, pink roses represent infatuation and adoration, and yellow roses represent friendship. Remember that red roses are the most popular flower for Valentine’s Day because they are very romantic, so be sure to have backup flowers in mind if you want to go this route! 

While a bouquet of all one type of flower can be gorgeous and special (especially if the flowers are red roses), filler flowers and greenery are very important in bulking up a bouquet by creating movement and dimension. Some of our favorite fillers are baby’s breath, wax flower, stock flower, and larkspur. Having at least one of these filler flowers in your bouquet can improve the look. Greenery also helps to create a more professional-looking bouquet. Some appealing greenery options to add are Italian ruscus, silver dollar eucalyptus, and spiral eucalyptus. If you don’t think your sweetheart prefers any of those, ask a professional florist about what you think your person would appreciate. We also recommend it for Valentine’s day specifically. Sometimes all a valentine wants is a simple bouquet of roses. 

When giving a bouquet, a nice touch is to get flowers that stay fresh for quite some time. Gifting flowers that last reminds your person of the adoration you have for them for longer. Flowers that tend to last longer are roses, lilies, carnations, and chrysanthemums. If you want to continue gifting fresh flowers, it is good to keep an eye on the condition of the blooms displayed in your home. You will know it is time to buy new blooms once a single bloom has started to wilt.

When buying flowers this Valentine’s Day, one thing to avoid is flowers that they are allergic to. Unfortunately, a lot of people are allergic to certain flowers or have seasonal allergies. It’s important to be mindful of this. You don’t want your romantic night to be interrupted by a sneezing fit. If you know your sweetheart has seasonal allergies, avoid flowers with high pollen counts such as chrysanthemums, daisies, and chamomile. 

When gifting flowers, don’t be afraid to ask for help in making a decision. Florists are much more willing to help than you’d think. Florists are also excited to create something beautiful to give. Asking for a professional’s help would be the best option. However, if there is no professional opinion around, ask the nice lady standing next to you at the store, the cashier, or your mom! Chances are you’ll get some good advice. You’re not completely alone in this endeavor! 

Ultimately, it’s the thought that counts, so put in the thought! Don’t choose the first bouquet you see. It means much more when they can tell you were thinking about them when you chose the flowers. So, don’t be afraid to put in more effort than you think you need to. The thought is worth it. When picking a bouquet for someone you really care about, it’s important to never settle for “good enough.” Flowers are special, and making a good effort in picking the perfect ones for your beloved will yield the best results.