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Whether you want to commemorate a lifelong or budding friendship, sending flowers is a great way to express love and appreciation for your inner circle. In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth list of flowers that signify friendship so you can let all your buddies know how much you cherish them. We’ll also go over the best colors for friendship flowers, as well as meaningful occasions to send a beautiful bouquet.
Things You Should Know
- Yellow roses are considered the universal flower for friendship because they symbolize love, care, and joy.
- If your friend is feeling down, send them a bouquet of sunflowers to boost their mood. They can be dried easily, leaving them with a long-lasting reminder of your adoration.
- Send tulips if you want to show extra support. They represent well wishes and unconditional love, making them the perfect gift if your friend is going through a big life change.
Steps
Flowers for Friendship
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1Roses Representing joy, care, and love, yellow roses are considered the classic flower for friendship. Their fragrance and beauty have been admired for centuries, playing a major role in art, religion, medicine, and more. [1] X Research source They’re the perfect way to show appreciation for a lifelong friend, or rekindle a friendship with someone you miss having around.
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2Sunflowers If your friend has been feeling down, bright yellow sunflowers are sure to lift their spirits! This lively flower symbolizes one of the most desirable qualities in a friendship—adoration. [2] X Research source Your friend can dry the flower easily and harvest the seeds too, creating a lasting reminder of your love. It’s the perfect flower to let someone know you’re a friend for life.Advertisement
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3Zinnias Bright and full of life, zinnias liven up any room and look wonderful in a bouquet. They’re known for being the perfect “cut and come again” flowers, meaning they continue to bloom even after their blossoms are removed. [3] X Research source This could be a touching representation of your friendship, letting your friend know you’ll stand by their side through thick and thin.
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4Alstroemerias Also known as the Peruvian lily or lily of the Incas, alstroemeria is rooted in love, devotion, and loyalty. [4] X Research source They’re the perfect flower to show your unwavering support, and you can find them in a variety of colors, from lavender and apricot to bright orange and yellow. If you want to let your friend know how much you love them, send a stunning alstroemeria bouquet their way!
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5Gerbera daisies Looking for a way to brighten your friend’s day? These bold and colorful blooms are sure to make them smile. Gerbera daisies carry several symbolic meanings, but the ones that relate best to friendship include purity, loyalty, and love. [5] X Research source They’re a wonderful flower to express admiration and let your friend know how much light they bring into your life.
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6Tulips With their bright colors and voluminous petals, tulips are the perfect flower to shower your friends with support. They symbolize positivity, well wishes, and unconditional love, so they’re a wonderful way to tell someone you’re rooting for them. Gifting yellow tulips sends a message of warmth and happiness, while red tulips are a declaration of love. [6] X Research source
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7Daffodils These cheerful and captivating blooms are the best way to celebrate those in your inner circle. Daffodils represent regard, sunshine, and unparalleled love, making them a great gift if your friend is going through a major life change. [7] X Research source Whether they’re graduating, getting married, or moving somewhere new, give your friend daffodils anytime you want to be supportive.
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8Campanulas Also called the bellflower, campanula symbolizes gratitude, loyalty, and everlasting love. It’s a hardy perennial that can tolerate extreme weather and spread rapidly, with edible leaves, roots, and shoots. [8] X Research source This makes it a true friendship flower that can withstand tough times, and its bell-shaped blossoms and purple-blue hue look beautiful in a floral arrangement for friends.
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9Chrysanthemums Chrysanthemums, also known as mums, are filled with intricate petals that represent truth and love. [9] X Research source If you’re looking forward to making incredible memories with your bestie, these are the perfect flowers to feature in your next bouquet. Giving them this warm and welcoming bloom speaks volumes about your level of commitment in the friendship.
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10Carnations Fragrant and colorful, carnations represent pure love and admiration. Their spicy, clove-like scent is often used in perfumes, and they come in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. [10] X Research source Because of their symbolism and soft appearance, many people send carnations to express sympathy if their friend has lost a loved one.
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11Irises The intricate petals and vivid color of the iris makes it a memorable flower to give to friends. In ancient Egypt, the 3 petals stood for faith, wisdom, and valor, and the rhizomes were often used for perfumes and medical purposes. [11] X Research source Surprising your friend with an iris is a meaningful reminder to stay strong when things get tough.
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12Freesias This soft and elegant flower embodies the essence of friendship, care and thoughtfulness. [12] X Research source Freesias are a wonderful flower to send to a friend you haven’t seen in a while because they’re so unexpected and beautiful. Their fresh and sweet fragrance makes them even more alluring, making them a comforting surprise for someone you love.
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13Gladiolus Also known as the sword lily, the tall and striking gladiolus symbolizes strength, integrity, character, and healing. [13] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source It’s a wonderful gift for a friend in need, so if your friend has lost a loved one or simply needs a boost of support, sending a bouquet of gladiolus is a great way to remind them you have their back.
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14Blue hyacinths With its whimsical blooms and enchanting hue, the blue hyacinth is associated with playfulness and everlasting love. [14] X Research source It serves as a reminder of all the incredible experiences you’ve shared over the years, making it an ideal choice for those you call your closest friends. Consider gifting this bloom on an anniversary, Friendsgiving, or any occasion you want to celebrate your bond.
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15Snapdragons If your friend is recovering from an illness or going through a stressful experience, a bouquet of snapdragons is sure to bring some joy into their life. This unique and vibrant bloom stands out in traditional bouquets, with colors ranging from white to pastel peach to crimson red. [15] X Trustworthy Source EDIS Electronic database of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences's peer-reviewed articles Go to source It symbolizes grace, strength, and good fortune, making it the perfect gift for a cherished friend.
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16Cockscombs Also known as celosia, the striking and flamboyant cockscomb is the perfect choice to cheer someone up. Their unique appearance and vivid hue add texture to any floral arrangement, and while they aren’t as traditional as sunflowers or roses, they’re still a wonderful way to let your friends know you love them.Advertisement
What flower color represents friendship?
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Yellow is the most common color for symbolizing friendship. The color yellow is associated with optimism and joy, making it the ideal color for friendship flowers. [16] X Research source It evokes feelings of warmth, positivity, and cheerfulness, so if you give your friend a bouquet of yellow blooms, it’s sure to boost their mood and make them feel special.
- Some of the most popular yellow friendship flowers include roses, sunflowers, daisies, tulips, and daffodils.
When should I send flowers that signify friendship?
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Gift flowers on special occasions or anytime you want to express love. Whether you want to commemorate a lifelong or budding friendship, flowers are the perfect way to let someone know you cherish them. Holidays and special occasions are popular times to send flowers, but feel free to send them “just because” for a meaningful surprise. When you feel loved and supported by the people in your life, flowers are a great gift to share your gratitude.
- Deliver a bouquet on your friend’s birthday to shower them with love. If they live in another state, send flowers by scheduling a delivery from a nearby shop or placing an order online.
- Celebrate your friendship by sending your bestie a bouquet on National Best Friend’s Day (June 8) or You Matter to Me Day (October 7). [17] X Research source
- Don’t have a valentine? No worries! Surprise your partner in crime with flowers on Galentine’s Day (February 13) or National Wingman Day (February 13).
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History of Friendship Flowers
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Flowers have symbolized friendship since ancient times. From the Roman Empire to the Victorian Era, flowers have played a major role in relationships, art, religion, and more. While the symbolism attached to specific blooms depends on the culture, time period, and personal interpretation, flowers have been used to express feelings towards friends throughout history: [18] X Research source
- In ancient Rome and Greece, flowers and perfumed wreaths were frequently exchanged during festivals and special occasions.
- In medieval times, flowers were often used to symbolize virtues like purity, loyalty, and friendship.
- During the Victorian Era, people gifted single-flower bouquets to convey messages to their friends and loved ones. [19] X Research source
Expert Q&A
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References
- ↑ https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/roses_brief_history
- ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2023/2/floriography-DT/
- ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/know-how-know-more/2020-04-24-start-finish-growing-cut-flower-garden
- ↑ https://wou.edu/westernhowl/bouquets-and-flowers-with-meaning-for-your-loved-ones/
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/flowers-and-their-meanings-language-flowers
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/flowers-and-their-meanings-language-flowers
- ↑ https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/flowers/flowers.html
- ↑ https://mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/files/2015/12/Campanula_rapunculoides.pdf
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/flowers-and-their-meanings-language-flowers
- ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/kbb/carnation/
- ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2014/6/Iris-A-Brief-History/
- ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2023/2/floriography-DT/
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/luzerne/news/august-birth-month-flower-the-gladiolus
- ↑ https://pwrites.princeton.edu/tools-and-insights/the-language-of-flowers/
- ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP044
- ↑ https://www.colorpsychology.org/yellow/
- ↑ https://nationaltoday.com/friendship-holidays/
- ↑ https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2023/2/floriography-DT/
- ↑ https://gardens.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/SIGardens_HistBloom_Language_of_Flowers.pdf
- https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener