Anniversary

Anniversary Flowers by Year

November 11, 2026 · 4 min read · Lux Berry & Bloom, Ottawa

The traditional anniversary flowers are carnations for the 1st year, lily of the valley for the 2nd, sunflowers for the 3rd, hydrangeas for the 4th and daisies for the 5th, with roses for the 15th and yellow roses and violets for the 50th. The full list below covers each year from 1 to 15 plus the big milestones, along with gift ideas that work when the exact flower is out of season.

Anniversary flowers by year chart

This is the list most widely shared by florists in North America. Lists vary a little from source to source, so treat it as a guide for inspiration, not a rule.

Year	Flower	Year	Flower
1st	Carnation	9th	Bird of paradise
2nd	Lily of the valley	10th	Daffodil
3rd	Sunflower	11th	Tulip
4th	Hydrangea	12th	Peony
5th	Daisy	13th	Chrysanthemum
6th	Calla lily	14th	Dahlia
7th	Freesia	15th	Rose
8th	Lilac	20th	Aster
25th	Iris	30th	Lily
28th	Orchid	40th	Gladiolus
50th	Yellow rose and violet

The early years: 1 to 5

1st, carnation: a long-lasting flower for young love that is meant to last. 2nd, lily of the valley: small, fragrant and seasonal in spring, so it can be hard to find as a cut flower. 3rd, sunflower: warmth and loyalty. 4th, hydrangea: big, generous blooms for a relationship that is growing. 5th, daisy: simple joy and faithfulness.

If the exact flower is not available, choose a bouquet in its colours, or pair a few stems of it with roses. Hydrangeas and roses together are a popular way to mark the 4th year.

Years 6 to 15

The calla lily (6th) is elegant and sculptural, freesia (7th) is famous for its scent, and lilac (8th) blooms in late spring around Ottawa. The 10th year's daffodil stands for new beginnings, and the 11th year's tulip is easy to celebrate here if your anniversary lands in May, during the Canadian Tulip Festival. Peonies (12th) are at their best in late spring and early summer. Roses mark the 15th, and you can never go wrong with them in any year.

Milestone anniversaries: 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50

20th, aster: patience and love that has grown wiser.
25th, iris: faith and hope, a good match for a silver anniversary in blue and white.
28th, orchid: rare beauty and refinement.
30th, lily: devotion. If the couple has a cat, skip true lilies, which are extremely toxic to cats even in small amounts. Choose another flower or a preserved rose arrangement instead.
40th, gladiolus: strength of character.
50th, yellow roses and violets: joy and faithfulness, fitting for a golden anniversary.

For big milestones, many couples prefer a gift that lasts. Preserved roses keep their colour for up to three years, and foil number balloons make the year impossible to miss at a party.

How to make anniversary flowers personal

Match the year: include the traditional flower, or its colours, and mention it on the card.
Use roses for the count: one rose for every year together works well up to about 24. See how many roses to give.
Write it down: add your message at checkout and it is hand-written on a card.
Time it: order early in the day for same-day delivery on many arrangements, or call or text 819-208-3034 for a custom piece.

We deliver across Ottawa, including Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven and Nepean, with delivery priced by distance from our studio in Carp, near Kanata. See more ideas on our anniversary flowers and gifts page.