How to choose the right flowers

A modern guide to selecting flowers that feel thoughtful, personal, and beautifully considered.

How to choose the right flowersHow to choose the right flowers

Choosing flowers doesn’t need to feel complicated.

A few simple considerations — the occasion, your relationship, and the setting — are often all it takes to make an extraordinary choice. 

This guide is designed to help you choose with confidence, whether you’re gifting for a celebration, a thank you, or a more sensitive moment.

Choose flowers that suit the occasion

Different occasions call for different tones. Celebratory moments welcome colour and generosity, while reflective occasions benefit from calm, understated choices. Personal gifting allows for more expression, while professional gestures are best kept clean and composed.

Birthday Flowers

Choose joyful, expressive stems like Pink Sweet Roses to mark the occasion with warmth and optimism.

Mother's Day Flowers

Our French Kiss Dutch Tulips feel thoughtful, seasonal, and full of joy. Perfect for Mother's Day celebrations.

Anniversary Flowers

A Rose Super Bouquet offers scale and impact for a milestone moment. Available in multiple colours and sizes.

Sympathy Flowers

Windsor White Roselilies provide calm, quiet presence without overwhelming.

Valentine's Day Flowers

Red Naomi Roses make a confident, unmistakable statement of romance.

New Baby Flowers

The Marie-Chantal Baby Gift Set feels considered, gentle, and appropriate for new parents. 

Consider your relationship with the recipient

Your relationship often matters more than any rule. Close relationships allow for bolder colour, scale, or sentiment, while professional or more distant connections are best served by calm and clarity.

A partner may appreciate expressive roses or statement bouquets, while a colleague or client benefits from clean lines, popular varieties and neutral tones. When in doubt, choose simplicity.

What to choose if you’re unsure of their preferences

When preferences are unknown, confidence comes from quality and simplicity. Here is a little inspiration: 

Neutral palettes such as white, blush, or soft pink
Timeless flower choices with clean, pared-back colour
Seasonal selections at their natural peak
Single-variety arrangements that feel intentional

Simplicity signals thoughtfulness. Choosing fewer elements — done well — is often the most assured approach.

Let the season guide your choice

Seasonal flowers feel natural and in rhythm with the moment. They’re fresher, longer-lasting, and better suited to the time of year. 

Spring brings tulips and ranunculus; summer favours peonies, roses and hydrangea; autumn leans into richer tones and texture; winter welcomes sculptural stems and foliage such as Amaryllis, Ilex and Anemone. With such beauty to be enjoyed all year round, let the calendar do some of the work for you.

Colour can change the message

Colour sets mood more than meaning, and in romantic or sensitive moments, colour choice matters most of all. For thank-you or hosting gestures – palette is more flexible – as soft pinks and neutrals feel warm and inviting, while reds are confident, bold, and expressive. When unsure, choose tones that feel balanced rather than symbolic.
Want to find out more? Explore shades such as red, purple, and pink in their dedicated edits – or discover the rainbow in our full guide. 

Think about where the flowers will be enjoyed

Consider the environment as part of the gift. Homes with strong light or warmth benefit from sturdy, longer-lasting stems, while offices suit cleaner silhouettes that are easy to place and enjoy.

Wherever they'll be displayed, longevity is a form of thoughtfulness, so flowers that look good for days feel quietly generous.

A few simple things to avoid

Overthinking the choice
Prioritising trends over quality
Matching flowers too literally to a message
Choosing complexity over understated simplicity 

Choosing well is choosing thoughtfully

Remember, there’s no single right answer when it comes to flowers – what matters most is intention, quality, and care. 

FAQ's

What flowers are always appropriate?
Classic, neutral flowers such as roses, tulips, orchids, and lilies are widely appropriate. Their clean structure and balanced tones work across occasions, from celebrations to professional gifting, without feeling overly specific or misplaced.

Are seasonal flowers better?
Yes. Seasonal flowers are naturally at their best — fresher, longer-lasting, and more visually assured. Choosing flowers in season also reflects thoughtfulness and an understanding of quality rather than trend.

What colours are best for gifting?
Soft pinks, whites, blush tones, and gentle neutrals are the most versatile. They feel warm without being overly symbolic and suit both personal and professional settings.

How many stems should I send?
There’s no fixed rule. Smaller arrangements feel thoughtful and modern; larger bouquets make a stronger statement. Focus on proportion, quality, and the setting rather than stem count alone.

What makes flowers feel more luxurious?
Luxury comes from quality, simplicity, and presentation. Premium stems, single-variety arrangements, seasonal sourcing, and considered wrapping all contribute to a more elevated experience.

Should I include a message?
Yes. Even a short note adds meaning and context. A simple line of gratitude, celebration, or care helps the flowers feel personal and complete.