15 Perfect Flowers for Each Anniversary Milestone

When it comes to anniversaries, flowers are more than just a beautiful gift—they’re a meaningful gesture that speaks volumes about your love and commitment. Each anniversary has its own designated flower, rich with symbolism and sentiment.

Did you know that in the Victorian era, flowers were used as a secret code to express feelings that couldn’t be spoken aloud? This tradition continues today, with specific flowers representing different milestones in marriage​​.1

Here are the perfect blooms for each important anniversary, ensuring your gesture is as heartfelt as it is beautiful.

1. First Anniversary: Carnations

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Carnations are the traditional flower for a first anniversary, symbolizing young and passionate love. These vibrant blooms come in a variety of colors, each with its own meaning. Red carnations represent admiration and deep love, while white signifies pure love and good luck.

They’re a beautiful reminder of the journey you’ve just begun together. Beyond their romantic symbolism, carnations are also known for their long-lasting nature, reflecting the enduring bond you’re building.

2. Second Anniversary: Cosmos

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Cosmos are the flower of choice for the second anniversary, symbolizing harmony and peacefulness. These delicate blooms come in a variety of vibrant colors and represent the mutual understanding and balanced love that has grown in your relationship over two years.

Gifting cosmos on your second anniversary is a beautiful way to honor the deepening connection between you and your partner. Their airy, graceful appearance and rich symbolism make them a perfect choice for celebrating the harmony and unity that define your relationship.

3. Third Anniversary: Sunflowers

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Sunflowers are the traditional flower for the third anniversary, symbolizing adoration, loyalty, and longevity. Known for their bright, cheerful blooms that always face the sun, sunflowers represent the warmth and steadfast love that has developed over three years of marriage.

A bouquet of sunflowers is a delightful and uplifting gift that celebrates the happiness and unwavering support you provide each other.

4. Fourth Anniversary: Geraniums

pink geraniums

Geraniums are the traditional flower for the fourth anniversary, symbolizing comfort and familiarity. These versatile and resilient flowers come in a variety of colors and represent the deepening sense of home and stability that has developed in your relationship over four years.

Gifting geraniums on your fourth anniversary is a heartfelt way to celebrate the comfort and warmth you’ve found in each other.

5. Fifth Anniversary: Daisies

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Daisies, with their cheerful and bright appearance, are the perfect flower to celebrate five years of marriage. They symbolize innocence, loyalty, and a love that remains pure and true. The simple beauty of daisies reflects the comfort and happiness found in a relationship that has weathered for half a decade together.

In addition to their symbolism, daisies are incredibly versatile and can be arranged in a variety of ways to suit your partner’s taste. Whether in a rustic bouquet or a sophisticated arrangement, daisies are sure to bring a smile to your significant other’s face.

6. Tenth Anniversary: Daffodils

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Daffodils are the flower of choice for the tenth anniversary, symbolizing new beginnings and eternal life. These cheerful yellow blooms are a representation of joy, cheerfulness, and the renewal of love that comes with a decade of partnership.

As perennials, daffodils return year after year, just like the steadfast love in your relationship. Presenting daffodils on your tenth anniversary is a way to celebrate the decade of memories you’ve created together.

7. Fifteenth Anniversary: Roses

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Roses are the epitome of love and romance, making them the perfect flower to mark the fifteenth anniversary. Known for their timeless beauty and classic symbolism, red roses stand for deep love and passion.

However, you can also choose other colors to convey different emotions: yellow for joy and friendship, pink for admiration, and white for purity and remembrance. Blue roses symbolize enigmatic sentiments, unrequited love, and genuine admiratio

After fifteen years, roses symbolize the depth and complexity of your relationship. Their rich fragrance and velvety petals embody the enduring love and passion you share, making them a fitting tribute to this significant milestone.

8. Twentieth Anniversary: Asters

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Asters, with their star-like blooms, are the traditional flower for the twentieth anniversary. They represent love, wisdom, and faith, all qualities that are strengthened over two decades of marriage.

These flowers also symbolize patience and elegance, reflecting the maturity and stability that come with a long-lasting relationship. A bouquet of asters is a thoughtful way to honor the twenty years you’ve spent growing and learning together.

9. Twenty-Fifth Anniversary: Irises

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Irises are the perfect flower to celebrate a twenty-fifth anniversary, also known as the silver anniversary. These majestic blooms symbolize faith, hope, wisdom, and courage—qualities that are essential in a relationship that has endured for a quarter of a century.

The name “iris” is derived from the Greek word for rainbow, signifying the myriad of experiences and emotions you’ve shared. Giving irises on your twenty-fifth anniversary is a beautiful way to acknowledge the journey you’ve taken together.

10. Thirtieth Anniversary: Lilies

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Lilies, with their elegant and refined beauty, are the traditional flower for the thirtieth anniversary. They symbolize purity, commitment, and the magnificence of a love that has blossomed over three decades.

White lilies, in particular, are associated with virtue and the enduring nature of true love. A bouquet of lilies is a sophisticated and graceful gift that celebrates the strength and purity of your relationship.

11. Thirty-Fifth Anniversary: Coral Roses

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Coral roses are a vibrant and fitting choice for the thirty-fifth anniversary. These striking flowers symbolize enthusiasm, desire, and the warmth of your enduring love. Their vivid color and unique charm make them a standout choice, capturing the passion and excitement that still thrives in your relationship after thirty-five years.

A bouquet of coral roses is a lively and romantic gesture that celebrates the spirited connection you share. Their bold hue and symbolic meaning add a touch of zest and vitality to your anniversary celebration, reflecting the dynamic and lasting nature of your love.

12. Fortieth Anniversary: Gladioli

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Gladioli are the flower of choice for the fortieth anniversary, representing strength, integrity, and infatuation. These tall and striking blooms symbolize the strong foundation and unwavering commitment that has carried you through forty years of marriage.

The name “gladiolus” comes from the Latin word for sword, signifying the strength and resilience of your bond. Presenting gladioli on your fortieth anniversary is a powerful way to honor the enduring love and respect you have for each other.

13. Forty-Fifth Anniversary: Blue Iris

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Blue irises are the traditional flower for the forty-fifth anniversary, symbolizing faith, hope, and the depth of your enduring love. Their striking blue color represents the stability and trust that have been the cornerstone of your relationship over the past forty-five years.

Irises also convey admiration and respect, highlighting the profound connection you share. Gifting blue irises on your forty-fifth anniversary is a beautiful way to honor the journey you’ve taken together.

14. Fiftieth Anniversary: Yellow Roses & Violets

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The fiftieth anniversary, also known as the golden anniversary, is traditionally celebrated with yellow roses and violets. Yellow roses symbolize joy, friendship, and the enduring warmth of your relationship, while violets represent faithfulness, humility, and modesty.

Together, they create a beautiful and meaningful bouquet that honors half a century of love and devotion. A combination of yellow roses and violets is a heartfelt way to celebrate fifty years of marriage.

15. Sixtieth Anniversary: Orchids

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Orchids are the traditional flower for the sixtieth anniversary, symbolizing love, beauty, strength, and luxury. These exotic and elegant blooms represent the rare and precious nature of a love that has flourished for six decades.

Orchids also convey a message of admiration and respect, reflecting the profound bond you share. Gifting orchids on your sixtieth anniversary is a sophisticated way to celebrate the extraordinary journey you’ve taken together.

Choosing the right flower for each anniversary not only honors tradition but also adds a personal touch to your celebrations, showing your partner how much you cherish your journey together. The language of flowers can speak volumes, making your anniversaries even more special and memorable.

Here’s to celebrating love, one bloom at a time.

Source:

  1. cbc.ca Article
nancy
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.