Flowers for a Man: Is It OK and Which Bouquet to Choose

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Is it appropriate to give flowers to a man? Yes, and more and more people do it without any awkwardness. Men receive bouquets for milestone birthdays, after a premiere or performance, a thesis defence, a promotion, or simply as a sign of respect. The question is not whether to give flowers, but which bouquet will look right. All our advice for men is in one place — a man’s guide to choosing and giving flowers.

Here is which flowers, colours and shapes suit men, when a bouquet is better replaced with a plant or an edible gift, and how to present it without too much fuss.

When flowers for a man are appropriate

• Milestone birthdays and birthdays, especially from a team or from a woman.
• Professional success: a defence, promotion, business opening or award.
• Stage and sport: a premiere, concert or competition win.
• Gratitude to a doctor, teacher or mentor.
• Personal: from the woman he loves, no occasion needed.

If in doubt, consider the person's character: some enjoy a bouquet, others prefer a practical gift. Ideas for the latter are in gift ideas for men.

Which flowers to choose

• Roses in dark red, burgundy or white, in a long-stemmed mono bouquet. Colour meanings are covered in rose colour meanings.
• Chrysanthemums, especially green and large single-headed ones: graphic-looking and long-lasting.
• Lisianthus, delphinium, irises for a blue and violet palette.
• Calla lilies and anthuriums, strict shapes for a business greeting.
• Eucalyptus, bamboo, greenery make a bouquet more restrained.

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Ready options are collected in flowers for men.

Bouquets with character

If classic flowers feel too lyrical, choose a bouquet with a sense of humour. Our catalogue has the Courage arrangement, where pliers and a screwdriver stand next to chrysanthemums and lisianthus, and a men's bouquet of hot chilli peppers with eucalyptus. Such a gift is memorable and guaranteed to raise a smile.

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When a plant is the better gift

For an office or study, a potted plant is more practical: it lasts years, not days. An easy-going snake plant or an elegant orchid needs no daily care. How to look after the most popular office plant is explained in snake plant care and propagation. Ready options are among our potted plants.

How many flowers and what size

• Number: by Ukrainian tradition, an odd number for a festive bouquet. More in how many flowers to give.
• Size: medium or large, but not overly bulky, so it is easy to carry.
• Height: long stems look more solid than a fluffy ball.
• Wrapping: kraft, matte paper or none at all, with a matching ribbon.

How to present a bouquet to a man

• Hand it over straight away without long speeches: a short greeting and a handshake or a hug.
• At formal events, leave the bouquet with reception or an assistant so he does not hold it all evening.
• For office delivery, give the recipient's name and, if needed, his full name for security.
• Add a card with a specific reason, such as "For the win", "On the opening" or "Happy anniversary", so the bouquet reads clearly.

Men who choose flowers for women themselves will find our floristry glossary for men useful.

For the card text, see birthday wishes for a man.

Messages for dad are in Father's Day wishes.

To go with the bouquet, pick one of our birthday wishes for your husband.

If he is a builder, in August see our Builders Day wishes.

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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.