Birthday Roses: Which to Choose and What to Write

Roses are the most popular birthday flower for good reason: they come in every colour, size and price, and a bouquet can suit anyone from your mum to a colleague. But colour and number say something too. Here is which roses to choose for a birthday, how many to give and what to write on the card.

Which Rose Colour to Choose for a Birthday

• For a partner — red roses: passion and deep feeling.
• For a mother or grandmother — pink, cream or peach: tenderness, gratitude, care.
• For a friend — coral, yellow or mixed spray roses: joy and friendship.
• For a colleague or boss — white, cream or yellow: respect without too much intimacy.
• For a girl or young woman — soft pink, dusty pink or garden-style roses.

For other shades see what rose colours mean and unusual rose colours.

How Many Roses to Give for a Birthday

In Ukraine, fresh flowers are given in odd numbers: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 25 or more. Even numbers are traditionally for remembrance, though for large bouquets (more than 11 stems) the rule no longer matters. For a milestone birthday people often give as many roses as the person’s age, or a symbolic 51 or 101 roses. More in how many roses to give.

Birthday Wishes for Your Love to Go with Roses

Short lines for the card:

• Happy birthday, my love! These roses are as red as my heart when I am with you.
• Every rose in this bouquet is a day I am happy with you. Happy birthday!
• The most beautiful roses for the most beautiful woman. I love you.
• May this year be as tender as these petals. Happy birthday, my sunshine!

More sweet words are in how to say «I love you» differently.

Birthday Wishes with Roses for a Mother, Friend or Colleague

For Mum

• Happy birthday, Mum! These roses are just a drop of the tenderness you give us every day.
• Flowers and endless gratitude for the dearest person. Be happy and well!

For a friend

• Happy birthday! May your life be as bright as these roses.
• Roses for you, and all the joy in the world for your new year!

For a colleague

• Happy birthday! Wishing you success, inspiration and beautiful days — like these roses.
• Warm wishes and a bouquet of the best roses from the whole team!

White Birthday Roses: What to Write

White roses mean sincerity, pure intentions and respect, so they suit both family and colleagues. A few lines for a bouquet of white roses:

• Happy birthday! May your new year start with a clean page, as bright as these roses.
• White roses for someone with a bright soul. Be happy!
• Congratulations! Wishing you peace, harmony and quiet joy every day.

More card ideas are in what to write on a flower card.

FAQ

Which roses should I give a woman for her birthday?

Red for a partner, pink or cream for a mother, coral or spray roses for a friend, white or yellow for a colleague.

How many roses are given for a birthday?

An odd number: 3, 5, 7, 11, 15, 25; for a milestone birthday, one per year or 51 or 101.

Can I give yellow roses for a birthday?

Yes. Today yellow means joy and friendship, not separation.

What should I write on the card?

One or two sentences of your own: a greeting, a wish and a nod to the flowers, for example «May this year be as tender as these roses».

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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