Top Tips for Choosing Birthday Flowers

There’s something truly special about receiving flowers on your birthday. Whether it’s a surprise bouquet from a loved one or a thoughtful gesture from a friend, flowers have a unique way of making people feel cherished. But when it comes to choosing the right birthday flowers, it can be a little overwhelming. With so many types, colours, and meanings to consider, how do you pick the perfect blooms?

As professional florists, we’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll walk you through our top tips for choosing birthday flowers that are meaningful, beautiful, and just right for the person you’re celebrating.

1. Consider the Recipient’s Personality

First and foremost, think about who the flowers are for. Is the birthday person vibrant and energetic, or do they lean more toward calm and classic styles? Matching the flowers to their personality is a great starting point.

For someone who’s bold and outgoing, consider bright colours like hot pink, orange, or yellow. Gerberas, sunflowers, and lilies work beautifully.
For someone more elegant and understated, softer tones like white, cream, blush, or lavender might be more suitable. Roses, lisianthus, or orchids are perfect here.

Taking their personal style into account ensures your bouquet feels truly tailored to them.

2. Choose Flowers with Meaning

Every flower carries its own symbolism, so why not choose blooms that reflect your message? Here are a few popular birthday flower choices and what they represent:

Roses – Love, admiration, and appreciation (choose colours to suit the tone: red for romantic, pink for friendship, white for purity).
Lilies – Happiness and positivity.
Gerberas – Cheerfulness and joy.
Tulips – Affection and comfort.
Sunflowers – Warmth, loyalty, and happiness.
Orchids – Elegance, strength, and beauty.

By including flowers that hold personal or symbolic value, your bouquet becomes even more meaningful.

3. Think About Their Favourite Colours or Flowers

If the birthday person has a favourite flower or colour, that’s always a great place to start. Even if you’re not sure about a specific bloom, creating an arrangement in their favourite colours adds a thoughtful, personalised touch.

Don’t worry if their favourite flower is out of season—your florist can always suggest similar-looking alternatives or incorporate just a few of the real thing alongside complementary stems.

4. Keep the Season in Mind

One of the best ways to choose beautiful and long-lasting birthday flowers is to go with seasonal blooms. Flowers that are in season not only tend to be fresher, but they also offer better value and often have a stronger scent.

For example:

Spring birthdays might include tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and anemones.
Summer birthdays are perfect for sunflowers, peonies, roses, and lilies.
Autumn birthdays suit warm-toned arrangements with chrysanthemums, dahlias, and berries.
Winter birthdays often shine with amaryllis, anemones, and deep-coloured roses.

Your florist can always advise you on the best seasonal picks at the time of ordering.

5. Decide on the Right Size and Style

Not every birthday bouquet needs to be huge—sometimes, a small, elegant arrangement speaks just as loudly. Think about the context: Will they be at home to receive the flowers, or are you sending them to a workplace or event venue?

Hand-tied bouquets are a classic choice for birthdays and easy to display.
Arrangements in a vase are perfect if the recipient may not have one handy.
Boxed or hatbox flowers offer something a little more unique and are great for travel or easy gifting.

Choose a size and format that’s convenient and suits the occasion.

6. Add a Personal Message

No bouquet is complete without a heartfelt message. A simple “Happy Birthday” is lovely, but if you want to make it extra special, include a few personal words—perhaps a memory, a wish for the year ahead, or even a little quote or inside joke.

Your message adds meaning to the flowers and lets the recipient know they were chosen with love.

7. Don’t Forget the Extras

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. Many florists (including us!) offer thoughtful extras you can include with your bouquet:

A luxury card
Chocolates or sweet treats
A small bottle of bubbly
Scented candles or bath products
A soft toy or keepsake

These small additions can turn a lovely gift into a full birthday surprise.

8. Plan Ahead—Especially for Delivery

If you’re planning to have the flowers delivered, make sure you book in advance—especially during busy times like weekends or holidays. Same-day delivery might be possible, but pre-ordering ensures the best selection of fresh blooms and avoids last-minute stress.

Double-check the delivery address and make sure someone will be there to receive them. Alternatively, we can arrange a “safe place” delivery or leave them with a neighbour, if needed.

Final Thoughts

Choosing birthday flowers doesn’t have to be difficult—especially when you keep the person you’re buying for in mind. Think about what they love, the time of year, and the message you want to send. A thoughtfully chosen bouquet can brighten someone’s entire day and create a memory they won’t forget.

At A P Flowers, we specialise in creating custom birthday bouquets that speak from the heart. Whether you’re after something vibrant and cheerful, or soft and elegant, we’re here to help you choose flowers that are just right for the occasion.

Let us help you make someone’s birthday truly special—with beautiful flowers that say it all.