The Art of Choosing the Perfect Valentine’s Day Bouquet

Flowers are a Valentine's Day staple, but choosing the right bouquet isn't one-size-fits-all. This February, go beyond basic bouquets and choose an arrangement that's not only exquisitely beautiful but exudes meaning. We spoke with Liza Fiorentinos of Luludi Living Art, a floral design company that creates ethereal moss walls, centerpieces, and other floral arrangements, and hosts classes and private terrarium class parties, to go deeper on picking the perfect Valentine’s Day bouquet. 

History Behind Valentine’s Day Bouquets

Valentine's Day is de rigueur for flowers, but there's a deeper meaning behind sending your sweetheart some blooms. “[Flowers] beautifully symbolize love, romance, and emotional connection,” says Fiorentinos. “Each bloom carries its own meaning—like red roses for passionate love or pink tulips for affection—allowing people to express their feelings without words as was done in the Victorian Era, when contact between the sexes was almost forbidden.” In fact, floriography, the language of flowers, got so popular in Victorian times that entire dictionaries were dedicated to decode the meanings of flowers.

Meanings of Popular Valentine’s Day Flowers

While we won’t go through the whole dictionary of floral meanings, Fiorentinos broke down the meanings of some popular Valentine’s Day flowers: 

  • Red Roses: symbol of love and passion, deep romantic feelings.
  • Pink Roses: admiration, sweetness, and gratitude, often given in budding relationships or friendships.
  • White Roses: purity, new beginnings, and eternal love, making them ideal for fresh romances or weddings.
  • Tulips: perfect love and elegance. Red tulips express deep passion, while pink tulips, affection and care.
  • Carnations: fascination and admiration, with red carnations expressing deep love and pink ones signifying gratitude.
  • Lilies: White lilies represent purity and devotion, while stargazer lilies express prosperity and ambition.
  • Orchids: beauty, strength, and luxury, often chosen for their exotic elegance and lasting impression.

Unique or Eclectic Flowers for Valentine’s Day Arrangements

Looking to go beyond the usual blooms? Fiorentinos breaks down some one-of-a-kind florals—and the meanings behind each—to add to your arrangements:

  • Anemones: Bold and eye-catching, anemones represent anticipation and protection, perfect for a modern bouquet.
  • Protea: With their striking, sculptural look, proteas symbolize transformation and courage—ideal for bold expressions of love.
  • Sweet Peas: Fragrant and nostalgic, sweet peas represent blissful pleasure and are perfect for a vintage-inspired gift.
  • Hellebores: Also called “Lenten Roses,” these moody blooms symbolize serenity and protection, ideal for a unique winter bouquet.
  • Blue Thistle: With a spiky-yet-elegant appearance, thistle represents devotion and resilience, adding texture to arrangements.
  • Calla Lilies: Sleek and sophisticated, calla lilies symbolize elegance and deep passion with their sculptural shape.
  • Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lilies): Symbolizing friendship and devotion, these long-lasting blooms add vibrant color and texture.
  • Carnations: Affordable yet elegant, carnations represent love and admiration, with a wide range of colors to choose from. 
  • Chrysanthemums: Often symbolizing loyalty and joy, mums are full and cheerful, making a great statement in mixed bouquets.
  • Daisies: Simple, sweet, and charming, daisies represent innocence and purity, perfect for a lighthearted gesture.

Top Tips for Arranging a Valentine’s Day Bouquet

Once you’ve chosen what flowers to include, how do you go about arranging an artful bouquet? Fiorentinos suggests balancing things out by “adding greenery or making a whole bouquet of three to four types of greenery, combining large flowers (such as roses or peonies) with smaller blooms like spray roses or ranunculus to add dimension and texture.” Speaking of texture, Fiorentinos tells us to go shorter in the front and taller in the back. 

Playing with color is important too, with Fiorentinos recommending to “either choose similar shades such as red and pinks for romance, or go with a lighter palette and opt for blush shades. Or go for a non-traditional Valentine’s Day combination with purple and eggplant.”

Lastly, don't forget the finishing touches. “For a unique look and feel, wrap the bouquet in something different, such as burlap or newspaper with a string or ribbon,” says Fiorentinos. “Otherwise use waxed tissue paper, two different colored sheets, and a clear cellophane for the outside layer and secure with a ribbon.”

Choosing Flowers for a Romantic Partner vs. a Friend or Family Member

Valentine's Day bouquets aren't limited to romantic interests onlybut there are a few specific things to keep in mind when picking blooms for a friend or family member versus a love interest. Fiorentinos tells us to keep the types and colors of flowers in mind to differentiate the meaning. “Choose classic red roses, tulips, or peonies to symbolize love and desire,” Fiorentinos coaches us when it comes to romantic floral arrangements. “Stick with reds, pinks, and deep purples for a more romantic feel.” 

For friends, Fiorentinos recommends to “choose bright, fun flowers like daisies, sunflowers, or alstroemeria to express joy and friendship. Blend colorful blooms to convey warmth and appreciation without romantic undertones, and use lighter colors such as yellows, oranges, and pastels.” 

As for family members, “choose soft, heartfelt flowers like carnations, hydrangeas, or lilies,” Fiorentinos says. “Whites, pinks, and pastels create a sense of warmth and thoughtfulness. Go for durable flowers like chrysanthemums or potted plants to symbolize lasting love and connection.”

Creative Alternatives to a Traditional Bouquet

If you’re looking to go even further beyond the usual Valentine’s Day blooms, Fiorentinos has some tips to put a nontraditional spin on V-Day flowers: 

  • Potted Plants: Gift a beautiful orchid, peace lily, or succulent for a longer-lasting gift.
  • Dried Flower Arrangements: Everlasting, dried blooms offer a vintage, romantic feel.
  • Floral Wreath: A heart-shaped or circular wreath made of seasonal flowers or greenery for a unique wall or door decoration. It’s easy to order the wreath online. 
  • Pressed Flower Art: A framed piece featuring pressed flowers for a keepsake that lasts.
  • Floral Terrarium: A glass vessel with preserved flowers, moss, or even small plants for a modern, low-maintenance gift.
  • Herb Bouquets: Fragrant and practical, featuring lavender, rosemary, and mint for a really unique gift.

How to Care for Valentine’s Day Flowers & Make Them Last

Once you’ve crafted the perfect bouquet, don’t let your artful floral arrangement go to waste! Fiorentinos offers a few easy tips for making your blooms last: 

  • Trim the stems: Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water to improve water absorption. Re-trim every couple of days.
  • Fill the vase with room-temperature water and change it every two days to prevent bacteria buildup.
  • Remove extra leaves: Strip any leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth and keep the water clean.
  • Use the flower food packet that comes with the bouquet. 
  • Avoid direct sunlight and heat: Keep the flowers in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight or heaters, which can cause them to wilt faster.
  • Mist the petals: Lightly mist the petals with water to keep them hydrated.

 

The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news, and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.