Creating the ultimate bouquet for mum

The best flowers for Mother’s Day

Does your mum just love a fresh bouquet of flowers? If you’re wanting to add that extra touch to your Mother’s Day present this year, instead of grabbing the first pretty blooms you see, we’re going to help you create the ultimate bouquet for your mum using floriography. After all, there’s nothing quite like a beautiful bunch of flowers, so let’s dive into some Mother’s Day bouquet ideas! 

Actually, just before we teach you how to become a flower arranging extraordinaire, have you picked out this year’s Mother’s Day card yet? No worries if not, as we’ve got a pretty wonderful range here at thortful: 

And if you’re looking for inspiration for what to jot down inside, it’s time to check out our guide on what to write in a Mother’s Day card

What is floriography?

Never heard of the term floriography before today? Not to worry, we’re here to help clue you up. Essentially, floriography is ‘the language of flowers’. Every flower symbolises something different depending on the type as well as the colour. This adds a whole new layer to carefully picking out a bouquet for different occasions depending on what message you want to convey.

But what are the best flowers for Mother’s Day? Well, we’ve pulled together some insights on the different meanings to help you decide!  

The best flowers for Mother’s Day and their meanings

Onto the fun part – learning about the different meanings of flowers (and there’s a lot)! Picking out flowers and creating a bouquet according to what they symbolise may take a little more time, but it’s a lovely gesture that the recipient, aka mum, will appreciate. So, before you take a trip to your local florist, we’re going to talk through the meanings of some of the most popular flowers used in bouquets, from roses and lilies to carnations and tulips.

Roses

Roses are a popular choice in many bouquets thanks to their sturdy stems and gorgeous petals arranged in a distinctive shape. But what does it really mean to give someone roses? Generally, roses symbolise love; however, there are a bunch of different meanings: 

  • Red roses – Love
  • White roses – Respect and humility
  • Yellow roses – Happiness and joy
  • Light pink roses – Admiration 
  • Dark pink roses – Gratitude

Lilies

Whilst often associated with weddings and funerals, lilies can symbolise various things, making them a hugely versatile flower for all sorts of occasions (including Mother’s Day!). Both an elegant and delicate choice in any bouquet, they can signify purity and love. Once fully bloomed, you can truly appreciate the trumpet-like shape of the flower along with the beautiful colours and patterns of the petals.

Carnations

Carnations are a perfect flower for Mother’s Day, signifying admiration, love, and affection. There’s no better way to show mum just how much you admire and cherish her than with a big bunch of pink carnations to brighten up her day. 

Of course, the different coloured carnations can have other meanings too, including:

  • White carnations – Sweet, innocent, and pure love
  • Orange carnations – Happiness and warmth
  • Red carnations – Affection and admiration

Dahlias

Bright and beautiful, dahlias are one of those flowers that have a striking appearance and are able to stand out on their own, along with pairing well in a bunch. Some of the meanings behind this gorgeous flower include love, devotion, and beauty. What more could you want from Mother’s Day flowers? 

Tulips

Another popular option, tulips are a very recognisable flower which you can find in a wide range of colours, including bicolour variations. Tulips are often associated with pride, making them a great option to let mum know just how proud you are to have a parent as wonderful as her.

Calla lilies

Said to symbolise adoration and appreciation, calla lilies are certainly one of those flowers that stand out from the rest. Wondering which colour would fit best with the intended message behind your bouquet? Here’s what different calla lily colours symbolise:

  • Yellow calla lilies – Gratitude
  • Pink calla lilies – Appreciation 
  • Purple calla lilies – Royalty and admiration
  • Black calla lilies – Elegance and mystery
  • Red calla lilies – Beauty and courage

So, why not combine yellow and pink calla lilies to let mum know how grateful and appreciative you are for all that she does? 

Gerbera daisies

A cheery and bold flower that livens up any bouquet, gerbera daisies are thought to symbolise cheerfulness and innocence. Incredibly versatile, they look both lovely and elegant on their own or when arranged in a bouquet with other flowers.

Pincushion flowers

Part of the flower genus Scabiosa, pincushion flowers are called such due to bearing a slight resemblance to pincushions. This pretty flower is associated with love, peace, and purity, adding a lovely message to any Mother’s Day bouquet.

Mother’s Day bouquet ideas

Now that we’ve outlined the different meanings of flowers, it’s time to start pulling some bouquets together. Here are some of our favourite Mother’s Day bouquet ideas! 

Springtime blooms 

What’s lovelier than a bright, cheerful bunch of tulips to brighten up mum’s day? You could go with a duo of colours (with purple and yellow matching wonderfully) or pick out a singular shade and fill out your bunch with some sunny daffodils or hyacinths. 

Lilies and baby’s breath 

If your mum is into softer, neutral flowers, why not go with the classic combo of lilies and baby’s breath? Delicate, elegant, and fragrant, this bouquet is bound to impress on Mother’s Day. Baby’s breath also dries out particularly well, giving mum the option to keep her flowers for much longer! 

Rose and freesia bouquet 

Combine pink roses with delicate yellow freesias for a graceful bouquet any mum will love. Bold and thoughtful, go with dark pink roses to express your gratitude, and bright yellow freesias for an uplifting scent. 

Just remember, if you’re looking for something a little different, you could even have a go at turning this classic combo into a stunning flower garland

Well, there we have it: a guide on the prettiest Mother’s Day bouquet ideas! Now that you’re an expert on all things flowers, it’s time to check out our range of flower gifts and send a bunch to brighten mum’s day. We’ve also got plenty more advice over on the thortful blog, including guides on how to keep your flowers fresh and how to press flowers

And, if you’re feeling like spoiling your mum even more, check out some of  for inspiration on what else you could treat her to.

Finally, if you’ve sadly lost your mum, we know that Mother’s Day can be a particularly tricky occasion. So, with this in mind, we’ve pulled together some insights on spending your first Mother’s Day without your mum to help you navigate things.