Anniversary Flowers: A Guide by Year

Most people know flowers are a good anniversary gift. Few people know that there is a whole tradition in the UK for which flowers belong to which year. The tradition makes sense when you understand the symbolism behind it.

This guide covers the traditional anniversary flower for each major milestone, what it means and why it was chosen. We've also thought of modern alternatives if the traditional pick is hard to find (or toxic to your cat) and some practical advice on how to make any anniversary bouquet feel special.

Why anniversary flowers by year exist

The tradition of assigning specific flowers to specific years of marriage is centuries old in the UK, rooted in the same logic as anniversary gemstones (paper for the first year, gold for the fiftieth). The idea is that each flower's character mirrors something about that stage of a marriage: the newness of a first year, the loyal nature of a fifteenth, the endurance of a fiftieth.

You may think its outdated and not for you, fair game. However, knowing what each flower represents often makes the choice feel more meaningful or maybe easier to find something when you're really short on ideas.

Traditional anniversary flowers by year

 

1st anniversary: Carnations

The first year of marriage is associated with Carnations. Passionate, vivid and come in almost every colour.

This mirrors the energy and possibility of a first year together. Red carnations mean deep love. Pink means affection. White means pure devotion.

Modern alternative: garden roses in a single colour. Same intensity of meaning, slightly more luxurious in appearance.

Pet safe: No, carnations are not safe for cats and dogs.

 

 

 

 

2nd anniversary: Cosmos

Cosmos are delicate and bloom in abundance. Signs of growing ease symbolic to the second year together. Their simplicity is part of the point. They represent harmony, order and love.

Modern alternative: Freesias, which carry the same delicate nature and gorgeous fragrance but are more readily available through UK.

Pet safe: Yes. Both Cosmos and Freesias are both safe for cats and dogs.

 

3rd anniversary: Sunflowers

The foundation is stable, three years in. Sunflowers represent loyalty warmth, and the kind of love that consistently turns toward the light. Their sheer size and cheerfulness make them hard to get wrong as a gift.

Pet safe: Yes, Sunflowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs.

 

4th anniversary: Geraniums

Geraniums represent friendship, comfort and ease that comes from four years together.  Four years in, love deepens from passion into something more settled and sure. That's why geraniums companionship makes sense. 

Modern alternative: germini daisies (gerberas) in warm colours capture the same warmth and accessibility.

Pet safe: No, Geraniums are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. If your home has pets, swap to germini daisies instead.

5th anniversary: Daisies

The fifth anniversary is the wood anniversary. Daisies represent eternal love and fidelity. Their simple, circular structure symbolises the harmony of a relationship that has grown strong.

Modern alternative: germini daisies (the same family, larger in size) or white lisianthus for a more luxury.

Pet safe: No. Daisies are not pet-safe. Lisianthus and Gerberas (germini daisy) are safe for cats and dogs.

10th anniversary: Daffodils

Ten years is a significant milestone, known as the tin or aluminium anniversary where daffodils represent new beginnings and happiness.

Pet safe warning: Daffodils are highly toxic to cats and dogs. If the recipient has pets, substitute with yellow roses or yellow freesias, which carry the same warmth and brightness.

 

 

15th anniversary: Roses

Roses are the traditional choice for the crystal anniversary and the reason is simple. Roses are the expression of passionate love and fifteen years of marriage deserves exactly that. Deep red for passion, soft pink for lasting tenderness and white for pure devotion.

Modern alternative: there is no improving on roses for a fifteenth anniversary. The only question is which colour and how many.

Pet safe: Yes. All rose varieties are non-toxic to cats and dogs. One of the few pet-safe anniversary choices.

 

20th anniversary: Aster

Asters are star shaped blooms that represent patience, wisdom and love that has been tested. Twenty years together is an extraordinary milestone.

Modern alternative: dahlias in rich, jewel tones for a more memorable take on the 20th milestone anniversary.

Pet safe: Completely safe for all pets.

 

25th anniversary: Iris

The silver wedding anniversary. Iris represent strength, wisdom and the faith that sustains a 25 year marriage.

Pet safe warning: Iris are toxic to cats and dogs. Substitute with purple Lisianthus or Veronica for an equally striking purple pet friendly arrangement.

 

30th anniversary: Lilies

The pearl anniversary. Lilies represent beauty, devotion and the elegance of thirty years together. They are grand, fragrant and beautiful for this incredible milestone together.

Pet safe warning: All lilies are fatally toxic to cats. For a cat-owner home, do not send lilies under any circumstances. Substitute with Eustoma or Roses.

 

40th anniversary: Gladioli

The ruby anniversary. Gladioli are bold, tall and gorgeous, exactly right for forty years. They represent strength, integrity and steadfastness. A couple that has made it to forty years deserves a flower that makes a statement.

Pet safe: Caution, gladioli are toxic to cats and dogs. Substitute with tall snapdragons, which have the same vertical drama and are fully pet safe.

 

50th anniversary: Yellow roses and violets

The golden anniversary is the only milestone with two traditional flowers, because no single flower could carry the weight of fifty years. Yellow roses represent friendship, joy and the happiness of a love that has lasted. Violets represent faithfulness, modesty and the devotion that keeps a marriage strong across half a century.

Pet safe: Both Yellow roses and Violets are completely safe for cats and dogs. A beautiful and safe anniversary combination.

The traditional list is a guide, not a rule. None of it matters if the alternative you choose is more personal and better suited to them. We love the alternative route, where:

Recreate the wedding bouquet. If you know what flowers were in the wedding arrangement, reordering something close to it is one of the most thoughtful anniversary gifts possible.

Send their favourite flower, in their favourite colour. We recommend choosing their favourite flower for anniversaries as the sentiment is unmatched.

Several of the traditional anniversary flowers are toxic to cats and dogs. we've highlighted those that are safe and unsafe, however If you're in need of advice our helpful team are on hand. Every FlowerFix pet safe bouquet is guaranteed free of all toxic stems and verified safe by our florist.

Related guides:

Flowers safe for cats: the complete UK guide →

Birthday flowers: what to send and why→

How to make cut flowers last longer →

All flower guides →