Send a bouquet of flowers is one of the most common gifts there is — and for good reason. Flowers are personal, versatile and suit almost any occasion. Even so, there are a few pitfalls: the wrong colour, the wrong flower, or a bouquet that simply doesn't fit the moment. A handful of basic tips is all it takes to give real joy and leave a lasting impression.
Flowers communicate — whether you intend them to or not. In many cultures, certain colours and varieties carry clear symbolic meaning that has been passed down for centuries. Red roses stand for romantic love, white flowers for purity and mourning, yellow for friendship and cheerfulness. Knowing these codes helps you avoid awkward misunderstandings.
The number of stems also matters in some cultures. In Germany, an odd number is considered lucky, while even numbers are traditionally associated with funeral flowers. It is not a hard rule, but it is a useful guideline to keep in mind.
The colour of a bouquet is often more important than the type of flower itself. Here is an overview of the most common colours and what they say:
Not every flower suits every situation. Here are some pointers for the most common occasions:
For a birthday, bright and cheerful works best. Sunflowers, gerberas, freesias or a mixed spring bouquet almost always strike the right note. For something more personal, go with the recipient's favourite colour — if you know it.
Mother's Day always falls on the second Sunday in May — right in the middle of spring. Peonies, tulips, ranunculus and roses are particularly beautiful and widely available at that time of year. Pink and white tones are classic Mother's Day colours, but a vibrant meadow-style bouquet goes down just as well.
For weddings, the bridal bouquet is a subject in its own right — personal preferences, the dress and the colour scheme of the celebration all play the leading role. As a guest, it is common to bring white or pastel flowers so as not to compete with the bride's bouquet.
White lilies, white chrysanthemums or simple white roses are the most appropriate choice. Colourful or red bouquets feel out of place in this context. Less is more here — a quiet, elegant bouquet speaks for itself.
Seasonal flowers are fresher, last longer and are often less expensive than exotic varieties that require lengthy transport. A seasonal bouquet also shows thoughtfulness — and it simply looks more natural than an all-weather arrangement thrown together from whatever is available.
If you want a safe option all year round, consider a wildflower bouquet. These natural-looking arrangements with meadow grasses, cornflowers and poppy blooms suit every season and always feel fresh and unforced.
A bouquet as a gift is about more than just the flowers — the wrapping, the timing and a small card all make a difference. Here are the most important do's and don'ts at a glance:
The quality of a bouquet depends largely on how fresh the flowers are — and that in turn depends on the supply chain. Many flowers sold in supermarkets or petrol stations have already been in transit for several days, passing through a wholesale market, a middleman, a warehouse and a shelf.
Regionsflorist sources flowers directly from growers in the Netherlands, the largest flower-producing country in Europe. This means shorter transport routes, fewer intermediaries and flowers that arrive noticeably fresher than average. When you order a bouquet online from Regionsflorist, you benefit from that short chain directly — the flowers are cut fresh after your order is placed and then dispatched.
Fresh flowers simply last longer — often 7 to 14 days with proper care. That is a tangible benefit the recipient will notice straight away.
Cheerful, colourful bouquets work best for birthdays. Gerberas, sunflowers, freesias or a mixed bouquet with a variety of flowers are all reliable choices. If you know the person's favourite colour, use that as your guide — it shows you have paid attention.
Yes — online flower delivery services ship bouquets directly to the door. Packaging matters: reputable providers send flowers in specially designed boxes with a water supply to keep the stems hydrated during transit. If you want to be sure the flowers arrive fresh, try to avoid ordering on a Friday for Saturday delivery.
With proper care, a fresh bouquet lasts 7 to 14 days. The key steps: cut the stems at an angle, change the water every two days, and keep the bouquet away from direct sunlight and draughts. Remove any fruit nearby as well — fruit gives off ethylene gas, which causes flowers to age more quickly.
For a nice bouquet for a birthday or Mother's Day, €20 to €40 is a realistic guideline. For special occasions such as weddings or milestone birthdays, spending a little more is perfectly reasonable. If your budget is tight, seasonal flowers or widely available varieties such as tulips and chrysanthemums still offer beautiful options — quality does not have to mean expensive.
