Birthday
HydrangeasPrepared with UFL flower delivery. Pink is one of the most popular colours in floristry: it suits a romantic date, a thank-you and mum’s birthday alike. Here are 10 pink flowers used in bouquets, with florist tips on what to pair them with.
What shades of pink mean
Soft pinks speak of romance and youth, deeper ones of gratitude and admiration. Pink combines easily with other colours, so you can mix several shades or add a contrasting accent.
1. Roses
The pink rose is a classic of poetry and song. Small spray varieties go into wedding bouquets and buttonholes, while large single-stem roses make striking single-variety bouquets. Popular pink varieties include Aqua, Sweet Avalanche, Pink O’Hara and the spray rose Lady Bombastic.
Pink roses pair well with gypsophila, eucalyptus, lavender and alstroemeria. Keep it simple: one or two extra shades are enough.
Rose bouquets: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/roses-kyiv
2. Peonies
Lush, fragrant peonies stand for wealth, honour and love, and in the East for luck and family happiness. The local season is short: late May to June. Popular pink cut varieties are Sarah Bernhardt, Coral Charm (which fades from coral to peach) and the bright raspberry Kansas.
Peonies shine on their own. To mix, add similar-looking ranunculus and lisianthus, or contrast them with white, smoky lilac and pistachio greenery.
Peonies with delivery: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/pivonii-kyiv
3. Carnations
The carnation (dianthus) is one of the longest-lasting cut flowers: with proper care it lasts two to three weeks. In the language of flowers a pink carnation means a mother’s love and gratitude. Bouquets use large single-stem varieties and spray carnations with several buds per stem.
Pink carnations look great with astilbe, bellflowers or white chrysanthemums. Keep them away from fruit: they are sensitive to ethylene.
4. Lilies
Pink lilies stand for elegance and tenderness. Bouquets use Asiatic (unscented), Oriental (strongly scented), trumpet, OT hybrids and longiflorum lilies. The Oriental lily Sorbonne is one of the best-known pinks.
Lilies go well with irises, peonies, daisies and bellflowers. Pollen stains fabric, so remove the anthers. Lilies are toxic to cats.
5. Hydrangeas
Lush, voluminous hydrangea bouquets are very much in fashion. Florists mostly use bigleaf hydrangea with round heads and panicle hydrangea with cone-shaped ones. In the garden a bigleaf hydrangea turns pink in alkaline soil and blue in acidic soil.
Hydrangeas are thirsty: keep stems deep in water, and revive a wilted head by submerging it in cool water for an hour. Good companions are roses, peonies and alstroemeria.
Hydrangea bouquets: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/buket-z-hortenziiamy-kyiv
6. Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria is known as the Peruvian lily. Its flowers with patterned spots look like tropical butterflies, with up to 10 on one stem. A symbol of friendship and devotion, it is also very long-lasting: a bouquet keeps for up to two weeks.
It pairs best with flowers of a similar size: freesias, small chrysanthemums, lisianthus. Large blooms tend to overpower it.
7. Tulips
Pink tulips symbolise spring, tenderness and care. There are classic cup-shaped, double peony-flowered, lily-flowered with pointed petals and fringed types. The main season runs from February to May, though greenhouse tulips are sold almost all year.
Tulips keep growing in the vase and bend towards light, so do not fill it to the brim and keep the bouquet cool. Good companions are hyacinths, irises, muscari and eucalyptus.
Tulips with delivery: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/tyulpany-kyiv
8. Ranunculus
Ranunculus, or Persian buttercup, looks like both a rose and a peony: dozens of thin petals packed into a cup. Pink ranunculus says admiration and tenderness and is a favourite for weddings.
Add anemones, freesias or hyacinths, and freshen the bouquet with eucalyptus or cypress sprigs. The stems are soft, so use a vase with only a little water.
9. Orchids
Orchids symbolise luxury, love and prosperity. Florists use phalaenopsis, dendrobium, vanda and cymbidium — the last one lasts especially long when cut. A pink phalaenopsis in a pot is one of the most popular plant gifts.
Calla lilies, anthurium or strelitzia highlight the elegance of orchids. For a single-variety bouquet choose plain, light wrapping so it does not compete with the flower.
Orchids with delivery: ufl.ua/en/kyiv/catalog/orhidei-kyiv
10. Anthuriums
Anthurium is available all year and is a popular gift for men: in Ukraine it is called «men’s happiness» and is believed to bring luck in love. The glossy heart-shaped pink spathe often has a pearly sheen.
Anthurium is striking on its own, especially against dark wrapping. For an arrangement add monstera leaves, calla lilies or irises with foliage.
Choosing and caring for a pink bouquet
- The number of stems matters less than the combination and shape. A single-variety bouquet usually needs more flowers than a mix.
- A small, compact bouquet is a compliment or thank-you with no strings attached; a large one is for special dates.
- At home, re-cut the stems at an angle, strip leaves below the waterline and change the water daily.
- Keep the vase away from radiators, sun and fruit.
See ready-made arrangements in pink bouquets with delivery in Kyiv.
FAQ
Which pink flowers last longest?
Alstroemeria, carnations, chrysanthemums and cymbidium orchids — two weeks or more. Peonies and tulips last about a week.
Who can I give pink flowers to?
Almost anyone: a partner, mum, a friend or a colleague. Soft shades suit romance and care, bright ones suit celebrations.
Which colours go with pink?
White for tenderness, lilac for romance, pistachio greenery for freshness and burgundy for depth.
Read also
- White roses: meaning, varieties and photos
- Types of flowers: names and photos
- Wildflowers of Ukraine: 47 species
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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.
