Sending Flowers Anonymously
Years ago, before Andrew and I started the business, before kids, before any of this really, I received flowers at work. No name on the card, just a simple message that made my heart do a little flip. They were pink tulips, not the obvious red roses that scream romance, but something softer, more thoughtful. The mystery lasted exactly three days before I worked out who sent them, but those three days? Magic. Pure magic.
That memory stuck with me through all the years we've been in this business. When customers call asking about secret admirer flowers, I get it. The excitement, the nervousness, the hope that you've chosen something that speaks without words.
The Annual Valentine's Tradition in Our House
Andrew has his own take on the secret admirer thing. Every Valentine's Day, without fail, he sends flowers to both our girls, Asha and Ivy as their "secret admirer, plus a cute card of course. " They're 18 and 14 now, and they absolutely know it's him which we always have a laugh about. Have known for years, probably. But they still get that little thrill when the flowers arrive, still pretend to wonder who could possibly have sent them, still give him that knowing smile at dinner. He was inspired by his Dad doing the same thing with his sister, Sarah - he did it for 25 years at least! Good man he was.
> View our Valentine's Day flowers
Last year Ivy, ever the pragmatist at 13, announced at breakfast, "My secret admirer better send sunflowers this year." Andrew tried to keep a straight face. The sunflowers arrived right on schedule, as usual, just before she got home from school.
Watching this play out year after year taught me something about secret admirer flowers. The magic is less about the actual mystery and more about the gesture itself. Someone thought of you. Someone cared enough to send something beautiful. That matters more than anything else.
Why Subtlety Beats Grand Gestures Every Time
After 5 years of me taking calls from nervous secret admirers, here's what I've learned, and it's a fair bit I have to say. A dozen red roses? Too much. Way too much. You're basically shouting your feelings through a megaphone, save them for an anniversary. For a first move, that can feel overwhelming to the recipient.
Something like our Beautiful Pastels Bunch works better. Soft colours, gentle vibe, nothing too intense. It says "I'm thinking of you" without the pressure of "I'm desperately in love with you." Big difference.
Same goes for our Pretty Pinks Bunch. Sweet, thoughtful, but not over the top. Pink has this way of being romantic without being demanding. I still remember those pink tulips all these years later because they felt personal, not performative.
Gerberas are brilliant for this too. Our Bright Mixed Gerbera Bunch is cheerful without being serious. Gerberas make people smile. They're happy flowers. Sometimes that's exactly the right note to strike, especially if you're not sure where you stand.
When You Want Elegant Mystery
If you're going for something a bit more sophisticated, the Oriental Lilies Bunch hits different. Lilies have this elegant mystery to them. They're stunning without trying too hard, and they last ages, which means your gesture keeps making an impression for over a week.
One customer told me once that he sent oriental lilies to someone he'd been wanting to ask out for months. She later told him, when they finally got together, that those lilies made her see him differently. More thoughtful, more interesting. Sometimes the flower choice says as much as the card message.
The Single Rose Question
People ask me about sending a single rose all the time. Our Single Wrapped Red Rose is one of our most popular products, and for good reason. One rose can be perfect if you want to be direct but not overwhelming. It's a clear statement without being a full declaration.
The trick with a single rose is timing. If you've been chatting, if there's already a spark, a single rose works beautifully. If you're coming completely out of left field, maybe go with something like the gerberas instead.
Taking the Pressure Off Yourself
Here's something most people don't think about. If you're stressed about choosing the wrong flowers, our Florist's Choice Bunch might be your best friend. You're literally putting the decision in the hands of someone who does this every single day.
Our florists know what's fresh, what's stunning right now, what combinations work. They'll create something beautiful without you having to second guess every choice. Sometimes that's exactly what you need when you're already nervous about the whole secret admirer thing.
What to Write on the Card
This is where people really struggle. After all these years, I can tell you that simple beats clever almost every time. "Thinking of you" works. "Hope these brighten your day" works. Even just "From your secret admirer" works.
What doesn't work is trying too hard to be mysterious or poetic. I've seen some card messages over the years that were so cryptic the recipient had absolutely no idea who sent them or why. That's not romantic mystery, that's just confusing.
We also have an option on our website to send flowers with no card at all. Some people prefer that. Let the flowers speak entirely for themselves. No pressure, no expectations, just beauty showing up unexpectedly.
FAQ's
After All These Years
I still think about those pink tulips sometimes. The way they made an ordinary Tuesday special. The anticipation of wondering. The smile when I finally figured it out.
That's what secret admirer flowers should do. Make someone feel special. Make them smile. Maybe make their heart do a little flip, like mine did all those years ago.
If you're thinking about sending flowers anonymously, you're already doing the hard part, which is deciding to be brave. The flower choice? That's the easy bit. Go with something
Can I actually stay anonymous or will the florist tell them who I am?
We keep your details private. The card only shows what you write on it. The only time your name might come up is if the recipient isn't home and our courier needs to call them to arrange delivery. Even then, we just say "flower delivery" without naming the sender. If you really want to stay mysterious, make sure they're home.
What if they hate the flowers I pick?
In 17 years, I've never had someone complain about receiving flowers as a secret admirer. The worst that happens is they prefer different colours, but even then, the gesture is what counts. If you're really worried, go with our Florist's Choice. Fresh, beautiful, and you're not overthinking it.
Should I own up immediately or let them wonder?
Totally up to you. Some people reveal themselves the same day. Others wait a week. Andrew's been "secretly" sending flowers to the girls for years and everyone knows. The mystery lasting three days with my tulips was perfect. There's no wrong answer here, just what feels right for your situation.
Is a single rose too cheap or does it look like I'm not trying?
A single rose is a statement, not a budget move. It's direct without being overwhelming. But if you're worried it looks cheap, add chocolates or go with a small bunch instead. Price doesn't make the gesture romantic, thoughtfulness does.
What if I send them and nothing happens?
Then you tried. You put yourself out there. Sometimes that's enough. I've had customers call back weeks later saying it didn't work out, but they're glad they sent them anyway. At least they know. Better than spending months wondering "what if."
Blog Categories
