Windflower flower guide

A Florist's Guide to Choosing Flowers

Start with the person, the setting and the feeling. Then choose the flower.

This guide compares the ten flower families we stock most often, from roses to baby's breath. For each one you will find what makes it distinctive, what people often read into its colours, how to keep it looking good at home, and when a different flower might suit better.

One honest note before you start: flower meanings are not fixed. They shift with culture, colour and the person receiving them, so treat the associations here as starting points and let your card carry the actual message.

Use this page to compare before you shop. Once a flower feels right, the button at the end of its entry takes you to the current collection for designs and availability.

Seasonal note: no flower name guarantees an exact shade or opening stage. If one detail matters to you, check the current product page or ask us before ordering.

Start with the occasion

Open the moment closest to yours for a few sensible places to begin. These are prompts, not rules.

An anniversary or date

Roses make the classic gesture, tulips feel quieter and more modern, and peonies bring lush romance when they are in season.

Congratulations or graduation

Sunflowers and gerberas feel bright and encouraging. An orchid suits a more formal presentation.

Sympathy or condolence

White roses feel restrained, while lilies or callas can feel ceremonial. Check the pet note before sending true lilies to a home.

A home or office

A potted orchid sits neatly in a reception, desk or living space. Choose it only when the recipient is comfortable caring for a plant.

A thank-you or just-because gift

Carnations offer colour and texture, hydrangeas feel soft and generous, and baby's breath keeps the gesture light.

Know the flower? Jump straight to it.

Compare the overall character

Not sure where to begin? This table matches each flower to the mood it tends to set. Select any name to jump to its full entry.

Flower Best when you want
Roses A recognisable classic with an unusually broad colour range
Tulips Clean lines and a quieter, modern gesture
Orchids Architectural flowers with a strong Singapore connection
Hydrangeas Soft clustered volume from relatively few stems
Sunflowers A graphic focal flower with an open, bright character
Lilies and calla lilies Two different flower groups that should not be confused
Peonies Lush, full blooms with a short season
Daisies and gerberas Open-faced flowers with a friendly, graphic mood
Carnations Ruffled texture, broad colour choice and practical value
Baby's breath Airy texture that can support a bouquet or stand on its own

Explore each flower family

RosesA recognisable classic with an unusually broad colour range
Champagne Rosette bouquet featuring warm neutral roses
Champagne Rosette by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Roses belong to the genus Rosa, a large group native across temperate and subtropical parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Their familiar layered form makes them one of the clearest choices when the recipient should recognise the main flower at once.

What it can say

Roses feel familiar and intentional. They can carry romance, affection, friendship or quiet support depending on colour and presentation. The card makes the intention personal.

Choosing a colour

Red for direct romance; pink for warmth; yellow for brightness; white for restraint; champagne, lilac and mixed neutrals when the overall palette matters more than traditional symbolism.

Choose it for

Choose roses when you want a recognisable flower with many colour directions, or when a short card message should carry the personal detail.

Look elsewhere if

Consider another family when the recipient dislikes traditional romantic cues or prefers a more architectural, tropical or deliberately casual arrangement.

Botanical reference: Kew: Rosa

Browse rose bouquets
TulipsClean lines and a quieter, modern gesture
Smoky Quartz bouquet featuring pale tulips and roses
Smoky Quartz by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Tulips belong to the genus Tulipa. Their cup-shaped blooms and relatively simple silhouette create a different mood from densely layered roses or clustered hydrangeas. They are useful when the gift should feel considered without looking overly formal.

What it can say

Tulips can feel romantic without being as traditional as roses. A pale mixed bouquet feels gentle and contemporary, while deeper colours make the same clean shape more confident.

Choosing a colour

Red for a confident romantic note; pink for gentle warmth; white for a clean and quiet look; purple for a richer palette; mixed pastels for an understated celebration.

Choose it for

Choose tulips for a modern recipient, a softly romantic gesture or a bouquet where shape and restraint are more important than visual volume.

Look elsewhere if

Choose something else if the occasion calls for a very large focal bloom, a strongly tropical character or a flower that is consistently available throughout the year.

Care note

Use a clean vase and cool fresh water, recut the stems and display them away from direct sun and heat. Their final posture can look less rigid than it did on arrival, which is part of their natural character.

Botanical reference: Kew: Tulipa

Browse tulip bouquets
OrchidsArchitectural flowers with a strong Singapore connection
Phalaen Bloom potted orchid arrangement
Phalaen Bloom by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Orchidaceae is an exceptionally diverse plant family, so an orchid is not one single look. A potted Phalaenopsis has a poised, architectural presence and a different purpose from cut orchids used inside a bouquet. Singapore's national flower is the specific hybrid Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim, selected in 1981. Our arrangements also use other decorative orchid varieties.

What it can say

Orchids are often chosen to suggest refinement, composure or admiration. White can feel clean and formal, purple more dramatic, and yellow more cheerful. The plant form, vessel and setting usually communicate as much as the flower colour.

Choosing a colour

White for a composed home or office; purple for contrast and drama; pink for a softer gift; yellow for brightness. Availability and markings vary by plant and season.

Choose it for

Choose a potted orchid when the recipient enjoys a lasting plant or when the gift needs to sit neatly in a home, reception or office. Choose cut orchids when you want their form inside a mixed arrangement.

Look elsewhere if

A potted orchid needs an appropriate position and ongoing plant care. A hand bouquet may be more suitable when the recipient should simply unwrap, display and enjoy the flowers.

Care note

Follow the care instructions supplied with the specific plant. Do not treat every orchid alike or water by a rigid universal schedule, since the growing medium and environment matter.

Botanical reference: NParks: Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim

Browse orchid arrangements
HydrangeasSoft clustered volume from relatively few stems
Haru bouquet featuring a pink hydrangea cluster
Haru by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Hydrangeas belong to the genus Hydrangea. What looks like one large bloom is a cluster of many smaller flowers, which gives an arrangement visual fullness quickly. No two heads are exactly alike, so expect gentle variation from the photograph.

What it can say

Hydrangeas create a soft, generous gesture. Pink can feel warm, blue or lilac calm, white restrained, and green natural. The accompanying card can make the intention clear.

Choosing a colour

Pink for a warm and soft centre; blue or lilac for a cooler mood; white for quiet volume; green for an organic neutral. Exact shades remain subject to the flowers available.

Choose it for

Choose hydrangeas when you want a generous, cloud-like focal flower or a bouquet built around a soft colour story.

Look elsewhere if

Choose a more linear flower when the recipient prefers minimal arrangements. If an exact shade is essential, ask about current stock rather than relying on a generic colour label.

Care note

Hydrangeas use water quickly. Move them into a clean vase promptly and keep the water topped up.

Botanical reference: Kew: Hydrangea

Browse hydrangea bouquets
SunflowersA graphic focal flower with an open, bright character
Resilience bouquet featuring a yellow sunflower
Resilience by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

The familiar annual sunflower is Helianthus annuus, native from the south-western United States to Mexico. Its broad centre and radiating petals make it visually direct, so even one head can become the focus of a mixed bouquet.

What it can say

Sunflowers are commonly read as optimistic, encouraging and energetic because of their colour and sun-like form. That makes them popular for congratulations, recovery wishes or a simple lift, but the occasion is not restricted to those uses.

Choosing a colour

Classic yellow feels bright and direct; deeper yellow, rust or burgundy varieties feel earthier when available; neutral wrapping can make yellow feel calmer and more modern.

Choose it for

Choose sunflowers when the recipient enjoys a bold, open flower or when the message should feel encouraging rather than formal.

Look elsewhere if

Choose another flower when the brief calls for a very muted palette, a delicate silhouette or a compact arrangement where a large focal head would dominate.

Botanical reference: Kew: Helianthus annuus

Browse sunflower bouquets
Lilies and calla liliesTwo different flower groups that should not be confused
Amity bouquet featuring white calla lilies and roses
Amity by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

True lilies belong to the genus Lilium. Calla lilies belong to Zantedeschia and are not true lilies. The distinction matters: true lilies have prominent petals and, depending on the variety, noticeable fragrance. Callas have a smooth spathe wrapped around a central spike and produce a more sculptural line.

What it can say

White lilies can feel ceremonial or serene, while pink varieties often read as more celebratory. White callas can feel modern and composed. Context changes the message, so wrapping, companion flowers and the card should do the final interpretive work.

Choosing a colour

White for a clean or ceremonial palette; pink for warmth; orange for energy; callas in white or deeper tones for a more architectural arrangement, subject to availability.

Choose it for

Choose true lilies for expressive open blooms and, where applicable, fragrance. Choose calla lilies when the recipient prefers a clean, sculptural form.

Look elsewhere if

Ask about scent if the bouquet will sit in a small room or go to a scent-sensitive recipient. For homes with cats, do not send true lilies.

Care note

Keep the arrangement in clean water and away from heat. Important pet note: ASPCA guidance warns that true lilies in the Lilium and Hemerocallis groups can cause severe kidney injury in cats, including through pollen or vase water. Calla lilies have a different irritation risk and should not be described as pet-safe.

Botanical reference: ASPCA: lilies and pets

Browse lilies and calla lilies
PeoniesLush, full blooms with a short season
Blissful Blossoms bouquet featuring pale pink peonies
Blissful Blossoms by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Peonies belong to the genus Paeonia. Their many petals can open from a relatively compact bud into a much fuller flower, which is central to their appeal. They are seasonal for Windflower, so availability, variety, stage of opening and shade must be confirmed near the order date.

What it can say

Peonies carry more than one cultural history. Victorian flower language associated them with bashfulness, while Chinese art and tradition have linked them with wealth, rank, honour, peace and beauty. Modern couples often choose them for their lush romantic form.

Choosing a colour

Pink for a softly romantic look; white or cream for quiet fullness; coral for a livelier seasonal palette; deeper red for richness when available.

Choose it for

Choose peonies when their season, opening form and limited availability are part of what makes the gift feel special.

Look elsewhere if

Peonies are seasonal, so ask about current colours before setting your heart on an exact shade. Out of season, ask for a flower with a similarly full, layered character.

Care note

Place them in a clean vase, recut the stems and give opening blooms room rather than packing them tightly. Keep them cool and out of direct sun, and refresh the water regularly.

Botanical reference: Smithsonian Libraries: Peonies and China

See current peony availability
Daisies and gerberasOpen-faced flowers with a friendly, graphic mood
Daisy-Me-Rolling in Pink bouquet featuring pink gerberas
Daisy-Me-Rolling in Pink by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Daisy is a broad common name, not one precise florist category. The current Windflower collection includes gerberas and germinis, whose open faces and strong centres create the familiar daisy-like look. The product name tells you which flower is used in each design.

What it can say

The open form often feels cheerful, informal and approachable. White and yellow can read as fresh and simple, while pink, orange or red makes the same shape more playful or energetic.

Choosing a colour

White and yellow for a classic daisy look; pink for an affectionate, playful palette; orange for energy; red for stronger contrast; mixed colours for an informal celebration.

Choose it for

Choose daisies or gerberas for a friendly birthday, encouragement, thank-you or casual gesture that should not feel overly formal.

Look elsewhere if

Choose a more layered flower if the recipient prefers a lush, romantic style, or an orchid or calla when the setting calls for something more architectural.

Botanical reference: Kew: Gerbera jamesonii

Browse daisies and gerberas
CarnationsRuffled texture, broad colour choice and practical value
Carnations In Caramel bouquet featuring caramel carnations
Carnations In Caramel by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

The florist's carnation is generally Dianthus caryophyllus. Its ruffled petals can create either a soft mass of colour or a textured supporting layer. Carnations are also among the cut flowers that can perform well in the vase when they receive straightforward care.

What it can say

Carnations can feel affectionate, cheerful or calm depending on the palette. Their ruffled texture gives a bouquet fullness without relying on one oversized focal flower.

Choosing a colour

Pink for softness; red for stronger contrast; white for calm; champagne or caramel for a modern neutral; purple for a richer mixed palette.

Choose it for

Choose carnations when texture, colour choice and practical value matter, or when a bouquet should feel full without depending on one oversized focal flower.

Look elsewhere if

Choose something else when the recipient has a strong personal preference for one named premium or seasonal flower.

Botanical reference: Kew: Dianthus caryophyllus

Browse carnation bouquets
Baby's breathAiry texture that can support a bouquet or stand on its own
Medium bouquet of white baby's breath flowers
Baby's Breath by Windflower Florist.

At a glance

Baby's breath commonly refers to Gypsophila paniculata in floristry. Its branching stems and many small flowers create an airy texture. It can soften the spaces around larger blooms, but a gathered baby's breath bouquet can also be the main arrangement rather than mere filler.

What it can say

Baby's breath is often used for gentle, romantic or celebratory arrangements, and is frequently associated with innocence or lasting affection. The scale, colour treatment and message determine whether it feels bridal, playful, minimal or simply light.

Choosing a colour

Natural white for an airy neutral; pink for a softer coloured cloud; tinted or preserved versions for a deliberate palette, with the treatment described honestly.

Choose it for

Choose baby's breath when the recipient likes fine texture, a light silhouette or a bouquet that feels gentle without one dominant focal bloom.

Look elsewhere if

Ask whether the flowers are fresh, tinted, dried or preserved if that distinction matters. Do not present a treated colour as a naturally occurring shade.

Care note

For fresh stems, prevent water deficit, avoid intense sunlight and keep the vase clean. UC Davis notes that damp conditions can encourage mould, so do not mist or store the flowers carelessly in a humid enclosed space.

Botanical reference: UC Davis: Baby's Breath

Browse baby's breath bouquets

Care for the flowers you chose

Fresh, preserved and dried flowers need different treatment. Choose the guide that matches your arrangement, and follow the care card supplied with your order whenever it is more specific.

Fresh vase arrangement beside clean water and florist snips
Illustrative care scene created with Gemini from Windflower product photography.

In the first ten minutes

  1. Start clean. Wash and rinse the vase before filling it with fresh water. If flower food was supplied, follow its packet directions rather than adding household remedies.
  2. Prepare the stems. Remove transport wrapping, clear every leaf that would sit below the water line, and recut about 1 to 2 cm from the stem ends with a clean sharp tool. Leave the florist's tie in place if you want to preserve the designed shape.
  3. Check the water line. Make sure every cut stem reaches the water. Give opening flowers such as peonies enough room instead of packing them tightly against the vase.

Keep the arrangement settled

  • Check the water level daily. Replace cloudy water, clean the vase and recut dry or slippery stem ends.
  • Keep the arrangement away from direct sun, strong heat and a forceful air-conditioning stream.
  • Remove spent blooms and fallen leaves so they do not sit in the water.
If flowers droop quickly

Start again with a clean vase, fresh water and newly cut stem ends. Keep hydrangea water topped up, expect tulips to change posture naturally, and follow the individual note in the flower entry above.

Potted orchids are different: follow the plant-care instructions supplied with the orchid. True lilies and cats: do not send true lilies to a home with cats.

Care reference: Iowa State University Extension on cut-flower care

Preserved and dried vase arrangement beside a soft dusting brush
Illustrative care scene created with Gemini from Windflower product photography.

Know which arrangement you have

Preserved flowers have been treated to retain more of their shape and softness. Dried flowers have had moisture removed and are usually more brittle. Neither type should be watered.

Choose a dry, shaded position

  • Keep the arrangement indoors and out of direct sunlight, which can fade colour.
  • Avoid bathrooms, kitchen steam, open windows during rain and other damp positions.
  • Do not mist the flowers, wash them or wipe them with a damp cloth.

Dust and handle gently

  • Use a soft dry brush, or cool air at the lowest speed from a safe distance. Stop if petals or small stems begin to move.
  • Lift the arrangement by its vase, box or base rather than gripping the flowers.
  • For a dome or closed box, clean the exterior and avoid opening it unnecessarily.
Watch for moisture

If you notice condensation, a musty smell, mould, dye transfer or unusual shedding, move the arrangement to a drier position and contact us before trying to clean it with water.

Some fading and shedding are natural over time. Material, treatment and environment differ, so this guide does not promise one fixed lifespan.

Care references: Kansas State University Extension on preserved plant material; University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources on dried flowers

About this guide

We put this guide together to make choosing flowers a little easier. Windy helped us organise the research, and we last updated it in July 2026.

The flower examples come from arrangements in our catalogue. If you would like to dig deeper, these are some of the references we found useful: