Wedding anniversary flowers by year follow a traditional list that pairs each anniversary with a flower: carnations for the 1st, sunflowers for the 3rd, daisies for the 5th, daffodils for the 10th, roses for the 15th, irises for the 25th (silver), lilies for the 30th, gladioli for the 40th and yellow roses and violets for the 50th (golden). Each year also has a gift theme, from paper to diamond. Lists vary from one source to another, so treat them as inspiration rather than rules.
Below you’ll find the full table, ideas for the most important anniversaries, and how naming traditions differ between English, French and German in Switzerland.
Anniversary flowers and themes, year by year
| Year | Traditional theme (UK/US) | Anniversary flower | Bouquet idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Carnation | Pink and red carnations, a handwritten letter |
| 2nd | Cotton | Lily of the valley (also cosmos) | Delicate white posy |
| 3rd | Leather | Sunflower | Bright sunflower bouquet |
| 4th | Linen (also fruit, flowers) | Hydrangea (also geranium) | Blue or pink hydrangeas |
| 5th | Wood | Daisy | Cheerful daisy and gerbera bouquet |
| 6th | Iron (also sugar) | Calla lily | Elegant white callas |
| 7th | Wool (also copper) | Freesia | Scented freesias |
| 8th | Bronze | Lilac (also clematis) | Spring lilac |
| 9th | Pottery | Bird of paradise (also poppy) | Exotic statement bouquet |
| 10th | Tin, aluminium | Daffodil | Spring daffodils |
| 11th | Steel | Tulip (also morning glory) | Tulips in your wedding colour |
| 12th | Silk (also linen) | Peony | Peonies (early summer) |
| 13th | Lace | Chrysanthemum | See note below |
| 14th | Ivory | Orchid (dendrobium) | Orchid plant or bouquet |
| 15th | Crystal | Rose | Roses, of course |
| 20th | China | Aster (also day lily) | Lilac and white asters |
| 25th | Silver | Iris | Irises with white roses and silver foliage |
| 28th | — | Orchid | Orchid plant |
| 30th | Pearl | Lily | White lilies |
| 35th | Coral | — | Coral-coloured roses or ranunculus |
| 40th | Ruby | Gladiolus | Red gladioli or red roses |
| 45th | Sapphire | — | Blue delphiniums, irises, hydrangeas |
| 50th | Gold | Yellow rose, violet | Golden bouquet |
| 55th | Emerald | — | Lush green foliage and white flowers |
| 60th | Diamond | — | White, sparkling bouquet |
Note on the 13th: chrysanthemums are the traditional 13th-anniversary flower in some lists, but in Switzerland they are strongly associated with graves and All Saints’ Day. Mix colourful pompom chrysanthemums into a lively bouquet, or choose another flower and explain the tradition on the card.
Names in English, French and German
Switzerland’s languages don’t share the same anniversary names, which can be confusing in a bilingual couple:
| Year | English | French (noces de…) | German (…hochzeit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Paper | Coton | Papierhochzeit (sometimes Baumwollhochzeit) |
| 5th | Wood | Bois | Hölzerne Hochzeit |
| 10th | Tin | Étain | Rosenhochzeit (in some traditions) |
| 25th | Silver | Argent | Silberhochzeit |
| 50th | Gold | Or | Goldene Hochzeit |
| 60th | Diamond | Diamant | Diamantene Hochzeit |
The silver (25), golden (50) and diamond (60) anniversaries are shared by all three traditions. For the in-between years, names vary even within the same language.
Ideas for milestone anniversaries
1st anniversary: paper and carnations
Carnations traditionally express love and admiration, and they last a long time in a vase. Pair a bouquet with the “paper” theme: a love letter, concert tickets, a framed print of your wedding vows.
5th anniversary: wood and daisies
Daisies symbolise innocence and cheerfulness. A rustic field bouquet in a wooden crate fits the theme perfectly.
10th anniversary: tin and daffodils
Daffodils mean new beginnings, a lovely message after ten years. In autumn or winter, when daffodils are hard to find, choose yellow tulips or a spring-style bouquet. Our guide to seasonal flowers in Switzerland helps you adapt.
15th anniversary: crystal and roses
Roses are the obvious choice: red for passion, pink for tenderness, or the number of roses matching your story. Our guide to rose meanings by colour and number explains what 12, 15 or 24 roses say.
25th anniversary: silver and irises
Irises symbolise hope and trust. For a silver theme, combine blue or white irises with white roses and silvery eucalyptus.
40th anniversary: ruby and gladioli
Gladioli represent strength of character. A ruby-red bouquet of gladioli, red roses and dahlias is spectacular.
50th anniversary: gold, yellow roses and violets
The golden anniversary is often a family celebration. Yellow roses traditionally mean joy and friendship, a beautiful message after fifty years together. Add sunflowers, yellow tulips or gold-touched foliage, and think about table decorations for the party.
60th anniversary: diamond
An all-white bouquet (roses, lisianthus, gypsophila) suits the sparkle of a diamond anniversary.
Recreate your wedding bouquet
One of the most touching anniversary gifts is a bouquet that echoes the original wedding bouquet: same flowers, same colours, same style. If you no longer remember, look at your wedding photos and show them to the florist. If your wedding bouquet was dried, see our guide to dried and preserved flowers to keep it looking its best, and our wedding flowers guide for the vocabulary of bridal bouquets.
Practical tips for anniversary flowers
- Check the day of the week. Swiss florists don’t deliver on Sundays or public holidays. If your anniversary falls on a Sunday, have the flowers delivered on Saturday or Monday, or bring them yourself.
- Book ahead. Most florists let you choose a delivery date in advance; KANEL, for example, takes bookings up to 15 days ahead (checked October 2026).
- Add a card. A memory from your wedding day or a line from your vows says more than any flower. Our card message ideas can help.
- Consider a subscription for a big anniversary: a bouquet every month for a year, like a renewed promise. See our flower subscription guide.
Anniversary flowers by season
Your anniversary date also decides which flowers are at their best. Some ideas:
| Anniversary season | Flowers at their best | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Amaryllis, hellebores, roses, anemones, evergreen branches | Cosy, elegant |
| Spring | Tulips, ranunculus, lilac, daffodils, hyacinths | Fresh, joyful |
| Early summer | Peonies, garden roses, sweet peas | Romantic, lush |
| Summer | Sunflowers, hydrangeas, dahlias, cosmos | Generous, sunny |
| Autumn | Dahlias, asters, foliage, berries, roses in warm tones | Warm, rich |
If the traditional flower of your year is out of season (peonies for a December 12th anniversary, for example), ask the florist for a bouquet in the same spirit: lush, round flowers like garden roses or ranunculus can stand in for peonies.
Anniversary gift ideas that combine flowers and theme
- Paper (1st): a bouquet wrapped in a printed love letter or a map of where you met.
- Cotton (2nd): cotton stems in a dried bouquet.
- Wood (5th): a bouquet in a wooden crate or a small potted tree.
- Tin (10th): flowers in a vintage tin or metal vase.
- Crystal (15th): roses in a crystal vase.
- China (20th): an orchid in a porcelain pot.
- Silver (25th): irises and white roses in a silver vase.
- Ruby (40th): deep red roses with a ruby-coloured ribbon.
- Gold (50th): yellow roses and sunflowers for the family party.
Beyond the traditional list
Traditions are a great starting point, but your own story matters more. The flower from your first date, the bouquet you carried on your wedding day or your partner’s favourite colour will always mean more than a list. For the meaning of 45 popular flowers, see our language of flowers dictionary, and for other occasions, which flowers to give for every occasion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional flower for each wedding anniversary?
A commonly used list gives: 1st carnation, 2nd lily of the valley or cosmos, 3rd sunflower, 4th hydrangea, 5th daisy, 6th calla lily, 7th freesia, 8th lilac, 9th bird of paradise, 10th daffodil, 15th rose, 20th aster, 25th iris, 30th lily, 40th gladiolus and 50th yellow rose and violet. Lists vary between sources.
What flowers are for a 25th wedding anniversary?
The iris is the flower most often associated with the 25th, silver anniversary. White and silver-toned bouquets, white roses or a touch of silvery eucalyptus also suit the theme.
What flowers are for a 50th wedding anniversary?
Yellow roses and violets are traditionally associated with the golden anniversary. A golden bouquet of yellow roses, sunflowers or yellow tulips is a classic choice.
What is the 1st wedding anniversary called?
In English, the first anniversary is the paper anniversary, and its flower is the carnation. In French-speaking Switzerland it is called noces de coton, and in German Papierhochzeit or Baumwollhochzeit depending on the tradition.
Can I give red roses for any anniversary?
Yes. Whatever the year, red roses remain the universal symbol of romantic love. The 15th anniversary is traditionally associated with roses in many lists.