Table of Contents
Anniversary Flower Chart: Year 1 to 50
The traditional flower for each milestone anniversary, with meanings.
The First Anniversary Flower: Carnation (Year 1)
The 1st anniversary flower is the carnation, and there is a reason it represents the beginning of a marriage. Carnations are one of the most resilient cut flowers, lasting 2 to 3 weeks in a vase. That durability symbolises a young marriage that is built to last. It is also a flower that comes in almost every colour, reflecting the range of emotions in that first year of figuring out how to live with another human being.
Pink carnations mean "I will never forget you." Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you." White carnations mean "pure love." For a first anniversary, go with pink or red. White is typically reserved for sympathy arrangements in Singapore, and the last thing you want on your first anniversary is to accidentally send a condolence bouquet to your spouse.
A practical note for first anniversaries in Singapore: most couples are still paying off their BTO or wedding loans at this stage. A bouquet in the $37 to $50 range is perfectly appropriate. It is the gesture that matters, not the price tag. Add a handwritten card about what you learned in year one, and you have a gift that costs under $50 but carries real emotional weight.
The Second Anniversary Flower: Lily of the Valley (Year 2)
The 2nd anniversary flower is lily of the valley, symbolising devotion and the return of happiness. This flower is significant because year two is when the honeymoon phase fades and real partnership begins. Lily of the valley says "I am still here, and I am staying."
Lily of the valley is harder to source in Singapore because it is a temperate flower that does not grow locally. If you cannot find it, a white lily bouquet carries similar symbolism and is readily available year-round. White lilies represent purity and commitment, which maps perfectly to the second anniversary meaning.
A mixed arrangement with lilies, white roses, and baby's breath is a beautiful second anniversary gift that captures the same devotion theme while being practical to source and deliver in Singapore.
The Fifth Anniversary Flower: Daisy (Year 5)
Five years. Half a decade. The 5th anniversary flower is the daisy, and it symbolises innocence, loyal love, and the ability to find joy in simple things. By year five, you have weathered enough challenges to appreciate the quiet, uncomplicated moments. The daisy represents that shift from dramatic romance to comfortable partnership.
Gerbera daisies are the most popular variety in Singapore for anniversary gifting. They come in vibrant colours (hot pink, orange, yellow, coral) and they last 7 to 10 days in a vase. A bouquet of mixed gerbera daisies is cheerful, affordable, and makes a statement without being over the top. Prices start from around $45 for a hand-tied bouquet.
For fifth anniversary gift ideas beyond flowers, consider pairing a bouquet with a dinner reservation at a restaurant you have been meaning to try. Five years is a milestone worth marking with an experience, not just a gift. The flowers become the visual reminder of the evening.
The Tenth Anniversary Flower: Daffodil (Year 10)
A decade together. The 10th anniversary flower is the daffodil, symbolising new beginnings and rebirth. This seems counterintuitive for a 10-year celebration, but the meaning is intentional. After 10 years, a relationship is not the same thing it was at the wedding. It has been rebuilt, adapted, and renewed multiple times. The daffodil honours that evolution.
Daffodils are seasonal and primarily available in Singapore from November to March (imported from the Netherlands and Japan). If your anniversary falls outside that window, yellow tulips or yellow roses carry a similar energy of joy, optimism, and renewal. A dozen yellow roses with a "cheers to 10 years" card is a classic choice.
For anniversary gift ideas at the 10-year mark, think bigger than flowers alone. Many couples in Singapore celebrate their 10th with a short trip to Bali, a couple's spa session, or a vow renewal. The flowers can be waiting at home when you return, a final touch on a milestone celebration.
The Silver Anniversary: 25th Anniversary Flowers (Iris)
Twenty-five years of marriage. The 25th anniversary flower is the iris, representing wisdom, faith, and hope. By year 25, a couple has genuinely earned those attributes. You have raised children (or chosen not to), navigated career changes, survived renovations, and somehow still want to eat dinner together every night. That is wisdom.
Irises are available in purple, blue, white, and yellow. Purple irises are the most popular for anniversary arrangements because the colour carries a sense of royalty and depth. A bouquet of purple irises mixed with white roses and eucalyptus is elegant without being stuffy.
The 25th is the silver anniversary. Many Singapore couples celebrate with a family dinner at a restaurant, sometimes re-inviting friends who were at the original wedding. A premium anniversary arrangement ($80 to $150) for the dinner table adds a centrepiece that ties the evening together.
The Golden Anniversary: 50th Anniversary Flowers (Year 50)
Fifty years. Half a century with the same person. The 50th anniversary flowers are yellow roses paired with violets. Yellow roses symbolise mature love, joy, and friendship. Violets represent faithfulness and devotion. Together, they tell the story of a love that started with passion and evolved into the deepest friendship.
If your parents or grandparents are celebrating their golden anniversary, this is the one where you pull out all the stops. A premium bouquet of yellow roses ($80 to $120), a family gathering, and perhaps a photo slideshow going back 50 years. The flowers become part of a larger celebration honouring their entire journey.
In Singapore, golden anniversaries are increasingly rare as couples marry later. That rarity makes them even more worth celebrating. A 50th anniversary flower arrangement is not just a gift. It is a tribute.
What Flowers to Choose When You Do Not Know the Year
Here is the honest truth: most people do not know the traditional flower for their specific anniversary year. If you are celebrating your 7th anniversary, you are probably not aware that the assigned flower is freesia. And that is completely fine.
When in doubt, these three options work for any anniversary regardless of the milestone:
Red roses. The universal symbol of romantic love. A dozen red roses never goes wrong for any anniversary from the 1st to the 50th. There is a reason roses have been the default romantic flower for centuries. They work. Our rose collection starts from $48.
Peonies. They symbolise prosperity, romance, and a happy marriage. Peonies are seasonally available in Singapore from November to May (imported from China, Japan, and the Netherlands). If your anniversary falls in peony season, they are a stunning choice that feels more special than roses because they are harder to find.
A mixed bouquet. A curated arrangement of 3 to 4 flower varieties in your partner's favourite colours shows you paid attention to their preferences rather than following a chart. Sometimes the best anniversary gift idea is simply "I know you love purple, so I got you every purple flower available this week." That personal touch beats tradition every time.
One final tip: do not overthink anniversary flowers. Your partner does not have a Google Sheet tracking whether you sent the correct flower for year 8 (lilac, in case you were wondering). The fact that you remembered the date, chose flowers, and wrote something genuine on the card is the gift. The flowers are just the delivery vehicle for the sentiment.
Find the Right Anniversary Bouquet
Roses, lilies, peonies, and curated arrangements for every milestone. Free delivery across Singapore. No GST. Same-day available before 12:30pm.
Browse Anniversary FlowersFrequently Asked Questions
What are the traditional anniversary flowers by year?
1st: Carnation. 2nd: Lily of the Valley. 3rd: Sunflower. 4th: Hydrangea. 5th: Daisy. 10th: Daffodil. 15th: Rose. 20th: Aster. 25th: Iris. 30th: Lily. 40th: Gladiolus. 50th: Yellow Rose and Violets.
What is the best flower for a first anniversary?
The traditional 1st anniversary flower is the carnation, symbolising young love and devotion. Pink or red carnations are ideal. If your partner prefers something else, roses or a mixed bouquet are always appropriate for a first anniversary.
What flowers should I get for a 25th anniversary?
The traditional 25th anniversary flowers are irises, representing wisdom and faith. Purple irises paired with white roses make an elegant arrangement. The 25th is the silver anniversary, so a premium bouquet ($80 to $150) is appropriate for this milestone.
What are 50th anniversary flowers?
The golden anniversary flowers are yellow roses paired with violets. Yellow roses symbolise mature love and joy, while violets represent faithfulness. Together, they honour 50 years of partnership and devotion.
Can I just send roses for any anniversary?
Yes. Red roses are the universal symbol of romantic love and are always appropriate for any anniversary year. If you do not know the traditional flower for your specific anniversary, roses are a safe, elegant choice that your partner will appreciate.
Share This Article
Jim Ng
Owner of Singapore FloristJim Ng is the owner of Singapore Florist, the boutique flower studio first opened in 1987 by its founding family. Jim and his team acquired Singapore Florist from the original owners with one promise: keep the craft, keep the customer relationships, and modernise everything else. Today the studio works out of Eunos Techpark, ships fresh stems islandwide, and has grown its review base past 202 verified Google reviews.
This article is part of an ongoing, well-researched flower-care library written by the Singapore Florist team, drawing on nearly four decades of hands-on bouquet design, daily delivery experience, and direct relationships with growers across Asia. If you spot anything we have missed or have a specific flower question, WhatsApp us directly and we will weave the answer into a future post.
