Every year on the second Sunday in May, the same question comes up: which flowers should I give Mum? The flower market booms around Mother's Day like at almost no other time of year — and no wonder, since flowers are the most popular gift on the day. But not every flower works equally well, and not every mother wants the same bouquet. This guide covers the most popular varieties, what they mean, and how to put together the perfect arrangement.
Mother's Day has its roots in the early twentieth century — first in the United States, later in Europe. From 1907, American activist Anna Jarvis campaigned for an official day to honour mothers. Even then, white carnations played a central role as a symbol of a mother's love. In Germany, Mother's Day has been celebrated since the 1920s, and flowers have remained the classic gift ever since.
The reason flowers are so beloved is straightforward: they are personal, beautiful and speak a universal language. A fresh bouquet makes an immediate impression — it brings colour into the home and expresses affection without needing many words. Mother's Day also falls in May, a time when nature is in full bloom, which means the selection of fresh, seasonal flowers is at its widest.
Not all flowers make equally good Mother's Day gifts. These varieties appear at the top of the wish list year after year:
The colour of a bouquet carries a message, whether intentional or not. These colour combinations are particularly popular on Mother's Day:
A beautiful bouquet starts with the right preparation. Planning ahead gives you the widest choice — and often saves money too. Prices in shops rise noticeably around Mother's Day. Ordering flowers online offers more stable prices and direct delivery to the door.
For the perfect Mother's Day bouquet, these combinations work particularly well: roses with peonies and eucalyptus as filler greenery create a lush, romantic feel. Tulips with ranunculus and white cut flowers make a fresh spring arrangement. Gerbera with freesias and gypsophila are colourful and long-lasting — ideal if Mum is not able to put the flowers straight into a vase.
For care: fresh cut flowers last longest when you cut the stems at an angle, change the water daily and keep the vase in a cool, shaded spot. Remove any leaves that sit below the waterline — they encourage bacterial growth. With these simple steps, roses and tulips will easily last seven to ten days.
Mother's Day is not the only occasion when flowers play an important role. Knowing which flowers suit which moment means you will always get it right. There are fitting varieties for every occasion — from birthdays and Easter through to Father's Day. If you often send flowers for special dates, it is worth exploring where to order holiday flowers for the whole year.
For the classic mother who values tradition: red or pink roses combined with gypsophila. For the modern, design-conscious mother: protea, anthurium or exotic lilies in monochrome tones. For the gardening enthusiast: seasonal meadow flowers such as cornflowers, daisies and lavender. For grandmothers: carnations and chrysanthemums — they last especially long and need very little attention.
Flowers are not only for Mother's Day, of course. The same varieties also make wonderful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries or as a thank-you — for example on Secretary's Day, which also falls in May.
Flowers from supermarkets have often already spent several days in transit before they reach the shelf. The journey from grower to wholesaler to shop typically takes three to five days — sometimes longer. That is not always obvious at first glance, but it significantly shortens the vase life.
Regionsflorist sources flowers directly from growers in the Netherlands, the largest flower-producing country in Europe. The Netherlands supply around 50 per cent of all cut flowers traded worldwide. By shipping directly without middlemen, the flowers arrive fresher — often within 24 to 48 hours of being cut. Around Mother's Day in particular, that difference is clearly noticeable.
If you want to order mothers day flowers online, pay attention to timing: place your order at least two to three days before Mother's Day to ensure delivery arrives in time. During the peak season around the second Sunday in May, delivery slots fill up quickly — ordering early is well worth it.
Historically, the carnation is considered the classic Mother's Day flower — white for mothers who have passed away, red for living mothers. Today, roses, tulips and peonies are far more popular because they feel more varied and fresh.
Ideally three to five days before Mother's Day. That gives you the widest choice and ensures the flowers arrive fresh and on time. Demand rises sharply in the final week before Mother's Day, and some varieties can sell out.
With proper care, fresh roses last seven to ten days, tulips five to seven days and peonies five to eight days. Gerbera and lilies are especially long-lasting at ten to fourteen days. The key factors are daily water changes, cutting the stems at an angle and keeping the vase in a cool spot.
Pink and white are the most classic colours for Mother's Day — they stand for tenderness and appreciation. For a more cheerful bouquet, opt for mixed combinations with yellow, orange and purple. All-red bouquets feel very romantic and are best suited when the relationship calls for it.
