Best Flowers For Birthdays

Understanding the Recipient

Funny story about personalities and flowers, we had this customer from Brisbane who called us up absolutely frantic. It was his wife's 40th birthday the next day and he'd completely forgotten.. "She's a total romantic," he said, "loves all that old school stuff." Now, back when we first started delivering flowers (we're talking 18 years ago from our little shop in Northern NSW), we would have just thrown some red roses together and called it a day. But over the years since we had the shop and a lot since, we've learned that matching flowers to someone's personality is like finding the perfect pair of shoes - when it fits, it really fits.

The Romantic

These souls live for the fancy stuff. Red roses are great, sure, but garden roses? Now you're talking. They smell like you've walked into a high end perfume shop. For spring birthdays, we always suggest peonies which, at least to me are my favourite flowers, they're like good luck confetti in flower form. One customer told us her husband got her Japanese red camellias and she felt like she was in one of those old romance novels. 

If you really want to impress, those velvet Black Baccara roses are moody and mysterious, throw in a rose quartz candle and they'll be talking about it for weeks. We don't sell candles but they are very easy to find online with a simple Google search, also candles are a great keepsake.

The Adventurer

These free spirits need something different. Sunflowers chase the sun just like they chase their next adventure. Birds of Paradise are perfect, striking and tropical, just like their personality. We once had a customer order Australian waratahs, in about 2010, for her best friend who'd just climbed Kilimanjaro, something that is high on my bucket list for sure. "She needs flowers as brave as she is," she said. For the eco-conscious adventurers, locally grown dahlias work a treat.

The Classic

Timeless beauty is their thing. Tulips with their clean lines say "perfect love" without being over the top. In our shop days, I recall that we had a gentleman order white hydrangeas for his mother's 80th Birthday - "She's always been about grace and elegance," he told us. Dutch parrot tulips or Japanese chrysanthemums add that cultural heritage touch. Pro tip from years of experience: drop a copper penny in tulip water - acts as a natural fungicide!

The Minimalist

Less is definitely more for these peeps. Calla lilies are sculptural art in flower form. Succulents are perfect - low maintenance, just like they like their life. We delivered a single phalaenopsis orchid to a minimalist architect once in Kingscliff, actually about 10 doors down from the shop (we had loads of gifts too), presented in a hand blown glass vase. She sent us a photo of it on her stark white desk - absolute perfection.

Choosing the Right Flowers

Here's something that happened at least 14 years ago that really drives home the importance of choosing the right flowers. A young bloke called us from Cairns, wanted to send flowers to his girlfriend in Brisbane for her birthday. "Just send whatever," he said. We could have done that, but after 17 years in this business, we knew better. After a brief yarn, we found out she was studying to be a teacher, loved bright colours, and had just moved into her first apartment. Via our expert partner florist we ended up sending her a lush and off tap mix of gerberas and sunflowers, with colours that matched her personality and brightened up her new space. She was over the moon from all reports :).

Colour Symbolism

Plays a massive role. Red for love and passion, classic for partners. Yellow screams friendship and joy, perfect for your bestie or as my daughter Ivy, she's 13, constantly puts it...BFF. White shows respect and admiration, while pink is all about grace and gentleness. We've seen it all, from the guy who sent yellow roses to his crush (friend zoned himself) to the daughter who sent white lilies to her mum (pure love and respect). I am sure there were more, I have literally taken 1000's of calls for flowers!

The Language of Flowers

Is real, even if most people don't know it these days. Lilies mean purity and majesty, daisies shout innocence and cheerfulness. We had a customer once who researched every flower meaning before ordering, she ended up with a bouquet that basically wrote a love letter through flowers which, upon reflection is a little so romantic but, I live in hope (wink). I wrote another post of the Language of Flowers, take a read if you can, it is definitely worth the time to.

Scent Considerations

Matter more than you think. Some flowers like lilies and roses pack a punch with their fragrance, while tulips whisper sweetly. Always check for allergies though, learned that the hard way when a customer's wife turned out to be allergic to lily pollen!

Presentation and Arrangements

Can make or break the gift. The right vase transforms everything. Simple glass for casual vibes, ornate for formal occasions. Tight bouquets feel formal, loose arrangements feel relaxed. We once added eucalyptus and ribbon to a simple rose bouquet, customer said it looked like it cost twice as much but it didn't really.

Seasonal Considerations

Let me share a story about why seasons matter. Back in 2010, during our first year operating from our home office in Pottsville, we had a customer insist on sending peonies for a July birthday. Now, July is winter here in Australia, and peonies are spring flowers. We could have imported them at astronomical cost, but instead, we suggested winter flowers that were fresh and local, stunning King Proteas and hellebores. The birthday girl was thrilled, said they were the most unique flowers she'd ever received. Our partner florist totally nailed it!

Working with what's in season isn't just about availability is all about about freshness and value. Summer brings us those festive poinsettias and proud amaryllis. Autumn gives us cheerful daisies and romantic peonies. Winter showcases sunny sunflowers (yes, in winter!) and grateful hydrangeas. Spring explodes with optimistic chrysanthemums and patient asters.

Caring for Birthday Flowers

This one time, we delivered a gorgeous bouquet to a lady in Murwillumbah for her 50th, yeah I was driving with our baby Asha in the baby seat in the back, and it was hot, like really hot, 38 degrees. Juggling the flowers, the sweat, and a baby in nappies was a mega Mum test I didn't need that day for sure. Two weeks later, she called us in the shop, not to complain, but to thank us, much to my relief! Her flowers were still going strong. Turns out, she'd followed every care instruction we'd included, at least as we did back then. That's when we realised how important it is to share our flower care secrets. Read our blog on Caring For Flowers here.

Trimming Stems

At a 45-degree angle is crucial, try and think of it like giving flowers a fresh straw to drink from. Sharp scissors or a knife are a must, never blunt ones that crush the stems. Remove any leaves below the waterline, they're like that mate who spoils the party if left too long.

Changing Water

Every day or two keeps things fresh. It's like giving your flowers a daily shower. When we had our shop, we'd change the water in all our display vases every morning and it made a world of difference. Trim the stems again slightly each time for maximum water uptake, which is especially important in warmer months.

Using Flower Food

Isn't just marketing fluff - it actually works. Those little packets contain nutrients and antibacterial agents. No flower food? A pinch of sugar and a drop of bleach does the trick, which is an old florist secret there.

Placement

Matters more than most people realise. Cool spot, away from direct sun and heating vents. Never near fruit, the ethylene gas ages flowers faster, I am not a scientists but something I have picked up along the way like this example. We learned this when we displayed flowers next to our organic fruit and veg area in the shop - disaster!

Finding the Perfect Birthday Bouquet with Lily's Florist

After all these years - from that first nervous phone call to a Cairns florist to winning Feefo awards with over 21,000 reviews - we've learned that perfect birthday flowers aren't just about what looks pretty. They're about understanding the person receiving them.

We've built our network from that single florist partnership to covering all of Australia, but our approach hasn't changed. Real florists in real shops, making real connections. When you order from us, you're not getting warehouse flowers shipped overnight. You're getting blooms chosen by local experts who know their craft.

From classic 6 red roses to wild seasonal mixes, from same-day panic orders (we've all been there) to carefully planned custom creations - we've seen it all and delivered it all. Each birthday is unique, just like each person celebrating it.

Conclusion

You know what we've discovered after 17 years of sending birthday flowers? It's never really about the flowers themselves. It's about that moment when someone realises you've put thought into their gift. It's about understanding that your adventurous sister needs Birds of Paradise, not boring carnations. It's knowing your minimalist friend will treasure a single perfect orchid more than a massive bouquet.

Choosing birthday flowers is like writing a letter without words - you're saying "I see you, I know you, and I'm celebrating who you are." That's the real gift, wrapped up in petals and tied with ribbon. The flowers might last a week or two, but that feeling of being understood and appreciated? That's the bit that sticks around long after the last petal falls.

FAQ

How late can I order for same-day birthday delivery?

For same day delivery from Monday to Friday, please make sure you place your order by 2 PM in the recipient's time zone. For Saturday birthday flower deliveries, the order cut off is a little earlier at 10 AM. We always recommend ordering in advance if you can, especially on a Saturday and some regional towns shut down quite early!

I'm not sure which personality fits. What's a safe choice for any birthday?

That's a common question! You can never go wrong with a Florists Choice Birthday Bunch which leaves the creativity up to our partner florist. It's cheerful, suitable for any relationship (from a friend to a family member), and allows our local florists to use the freshest, most beautiful flowers they have available on the day in their shop.

Are flowers really a good birthday gift for men?

For sure! As we shared in our story above, most men love the thoughtful gesture of receiving flowers. We recommend choosing arrangements with strong, bold shapes and colours. Bouquets featuring Australian native flowers like banksias and proteas, or a bright bunch of sunflowers, are always stylish and well-received choices.

Can I request a custom bouquet based on the recipient's personality?

Yes, we love creating personalised arrangements! While our website has a wide selection, the best way to create something truly unique is to give our friendly team a call, who incidentally just won a Feefo Trusted Service Award, so suffice is to say, they really know flowers and love to help. You can tell us all about the person you're celebrating.

Do you deliver birthday flowers all across Australia?

Yes, we do. Thanks to our trusted network of local partner florists in towns and cities all over the country, we can arrange for fresh, beautiful birthday flowers to be delivered almost anywhere in Australia.

Any enquiries, advice and recommendations, order and card help