Flower questions from people sending to Ireland

Ireland marks Mother’s Day on Mothering Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, so it lands in March most years and in April on the odd occasion. It is tied to Easter, which is why it never sits on the same calendar date twice in a row. Many families go to Mass, have a Sunday lunch and bring Mam a bunch of flowers. Daffodils, tulips and spring mixes are the obvious picks for the season. Check the Easter date a couple of months ahead and give yourself time to choose.

In March the garden is still waking up, so spring stems feel right: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, ranunculus and freesia all suit the date. A hand-tied mixed bunch in her favourite colour is always safer than something showy. If your mam loves a particular flower, choose that over what the shop window is pushing. A small pot of hyacinths is a good alternative if she prefers something she can keep on the windowsill.

St Brigid’s Day on 1 February is traditionally the first day of spring in the old Irish calendar, and since 2023 a bank holiday marks it on the first Monday of February (or on 1 February itself when it falls on a Friday). The traditional symbol is the St Brigid’s cross, woven from rushes, rather than a bouquet. Still, fresh spring flowers in early February make a lovely gift, because it is the moment when people start craving colour after a grey January. Snowdrops, early tulips and narcissi fit the mood.

It is one of the busiest weeks of the year for florists, and red roses are still the standard choice. If you want to stand out, ask for a mixed bunch in pink and cream, or a smaller number of long-stemmed roses in a plain wrap. Order a few days ahead, because popular colours and delivery slots go first. Remember that 14 February is in the middle of winter, so expect your flowers to be delivered wrapped against the cold.

Daffodil Day is a March fundraising day run by the Irish Cancer Society, and the yellow daffodil is its symbol. Many people wear a pin or buy a bunch to show support. If you are sending daffodils, a fresh bunch is a cheerful gift for someone who is unwell. Keep in mind that daffodil stems release sap that can harm other flowers, so give them their own vase for a few hours before mixing.

Start with the death notice. Many notices say “family flowers only” or ask for donations to a named charity, and it is kind to respect that. If flowers are welcome, soft white, cream or green arrangements are the traditional choice, in a style that suits the family. Wreaths and sprays are usually for the funeral itself, while a simple posy is better for the house. Our funeral guide covers what to send and when.

It means that only the immediate family should send flowers, and everybody else is asked to hold back. Friends and neighbours often send a Mass card, make a donation or call to the house instead. If you are close to the family and unsure, ask someone who knows them well rather than guessing. It is a practical request, as arrangements can be difficult to transport and place.

The removal is when the deceased is brought from the funeral home or family home to the church the evening before the funeral. Flowers can be delivered to the funeral director, to the church or to the family home, depending on the wishes in the notice. Confirm the name of the deceased, the venue and the time with the funeral director before you place the order, because a late delivery cannot be fixed afterwards.

A Mass card is a printed card that tells the family that a Mass will be offered for the person who died. It is bought through a parish or a religious order and is a thoughtful gesture, especially when the notice says no flowers. It does not replace a bouquet, but many people send both: the card to the family and a small bunch to the house. Mention the card in your own note so that it is not overlooked.

A Month’s Mind is a memorial Mass held about a month after the death. Close family and friends gather, and it is a quiet, personal occasion. Flowers are not expected, but a small arrangement for the family or for the grave is appreciated, particularly from someone who could not attend the funeral. A simple white bunch with a short note is plenty.

Use the full address, county and Eircode if you know it. The Eircode is a seven-character code that points to an individual address, and it helps florists and couriers find houses where the town land or road name could be confusing. In rural areas, add a landmark or a house name to the note field. Include a phone number for the recipient if the checkout asks for one, because that is the quickest way to rescue a delivery.

It depends on the florist. Some will leave the bouquet with a neighbour or in a safe spot, and others will try again or leave a card. Writing a good phone number and a line such as “leave with the shop next door” in the notes helps. For a workplace, ask the reception desk when they accept deliveries. If the gift is a surprise, the safest option is to choose a day when you know they will be in.

Often yes, but rules differ from ward to ward. Intensive care, oncology and maternity units sometimes limit or refuse cut flowers, and some hospitals ask for plants or balloons not to be delivered at all. Phone the ward reception first or check the hospital’s website. Our hospital page explains the usual restrictions and which flowers tend to be most welcome.

Strong scents like lilies, hyacinth and freesia can be overwhelming when someone feels unwell. Pollen is another problem, so pick low-pollen blooms like roses, gerberas and carnations, or remove the stamens from lilies. If the person has asthma, ask the family. A small, cheerful bunch is usually better than a large one that crowds the locker.

Central heating dries the air, and radiators shorten vase life. Place the vase in a cool room, away from heat and out of direct sunshine. Cut about a centimetre from the stems with a sharp knife, change the water every second day and take off any leaves that would sit under the water. Flowers that arrive after a frosty journey need a few hours to adjust before they open.

Florists pack stems with wet wrapping and protective sleeves precisely for this, so a drizzle will not hurt them. Severe frost is another matter, so bring the bouquet indoors soon after delivery and let it come to room temperature slowly before you cut the stems and put them into fresh water. Leave it in the box for no longer than needed.

Short messages usually work best. Think of what you would say if you were standing at the door: “Thinking of you”, “Well done, you deserve this” or “Happy birthday, Mam”. For sympathy, simple lines like “With deepest sympathy” or “Thinking of you all” are enough. If you are sending the flowers from a group, list the names or write “from all your friends at work” so that the recipient knows who to thank.

Yes, workplaces are common delivery addresses, particularly for birthdays, retirements and thank-yous. Use the company name, the recipient’s name and the department, and ask if reception accepts parcels. Schools sometimes prefer deliveries at set times, so phone ahead. A bouquet that arrives during working hours is also a good way to make someone’s day, as their colleagues will notice too.

Soft pastels in pink, blue, peach or white are traditional, but a mixed bunch in the parents’ favourite colours works just as well. Avoid strongly perfumed blooms if the family is just home from the maternity unit. Some hospitals do not allow flowers on certain wards, so it can be better to send them to the home address once mother and baby are back.

White and pastel flowers are the classic choice for both. Many families like small posies or table arrangements for the party afterwards, and for the child, a modest bunch is plenty. Roses, lisianthus and gypsophila are reliable stems. Ask the family if there is a colour theme before you buy so that the flowers match the dress or the venue.

For a wedding gift, a bouquet in cream and blush is traditional, but a lively mix is just as welcome. Anniversaries have their own flower traditions. Roses feel natural for a first or a fortieth, while a single colour in lilies or tulips looks smart. If you are not sure what the couple prefers, white is a safe bet.

Carnations get a mixed reputation, but they are tough, cheap by the stem and good for two weeks or more. Colour matters for the message. Red suggests admiration, white is gentler and often used in sympathy arrangements. Dyed or striped types can look festive in a mixed bunch. Their strong staying power makes them an excellent choice for a hospital or an office.

Quite often. Hydrangeas, fuchsias, montbretia and sweet peas grow well in our mild, damp climate, and florists frequently use them in the summer. If a recipient has a garden, pick something that reflects it, such as dahlias in late summer or snowdrops and hellebores in the colder months. A cut-flower bunch in colours that match what she plants is a thoughtful touch.

Yes. The date is picked in the florist’s checkout, so you can plan ahead for anniversaries, graduations or Mothering Sunday. Ordering early gives you a better choice, especially around Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. Just double-check the address and the recipient’s availability on that day.

Occasionally the exact bloom is not in season or not in stock, and the florist replaces it with a similar flower in the same colours and style. That is normal in the trade. If you have a strong preference, mention it in the order notes, but be ready to accept sensible substitutions rather than an empty vase. The overall look should still match the picture.

Take off the wrapping, unpack the stems and cut a short piece from each one on a diagonal. Fill a clean vase with cool water, add the flower food if there is a sachet and set the bouquet in a draught-free, cool position. Do not leave it in the sun or on top of the television. If any buds look closed, give them a day to open before judging.

Some are. Lilies are dangerous to cats, even a little pollen on the fur can cause serious kidney problems, and daffodils, tulips and hyacinths can upset dogs if they eat the bulbs or leaves. If you have pets at home, choose roses or gerberas or place the vase out of reach. Our pet guide lists the usual suspects, and your vet can help if the animal has chewed something.

Natural products vary from week to week. The florist builds each bunch by hand with stems that are fresh that day, so size, shades and the exact mix will not be identical to a picture. If the flowers arrive damaged or very different from what you ordered, contact the florist as soon as you can and send photographs. Read the terms and conditions for more detail.

It is nearly always about water. Stems that have been out of water for hours form air locks, or bacteria build up around the cut. Recut under water, use a clean vase and keep leaves out of the water. Roses and hydrangeas are the divas, and hydrangeas can be revived by a short soak of the whole head in cool water.

Keep it modest and personal. A small bouquet in cheerful colours with a short message says more than an expensive arrangement with a generic card. Sunflowers, gerberas and freesia are happy flowers. If the thank-you is for a favour or a host, pick something she can enjoy without needing a special vase.

Yes, flowers can be sent internationally, and the checkout lets you choose the date. Check the local rules for the recipient’s country and be aware that some flowers are more common there than others. Use the Send abroad link in the menu. Include the full address and a phone number for the recipient to avoid delays.

Not at all, and it is often the best way to be there from a distance. Parents of a bride, a colleague’s family after a bereavement or a host you are visiting for the first time will usually be touched by the thought. Keep the colours gentle, keep the card simple and add your full name so they know who to thank. A modest bunch is better received than an elaborate arrangement.

Summer is when florists have the widest range: sweet peas, delphiniums, sunflowers, dahlias, lisianthus and garden-style roses. A bunch in bright, mixed colours feels right for the season, and scented varieties are at their best. Because warm days shorten vase life a little, remind the recipient to keep the vase out of the midday sun and to top up the water every day.

You can write requests in the order notes, and many florists will do their best to follow them. Colours are easier to honour than individual varieties, which depend on what is available that morning. If the recipient has allergies or hates a particular flower, say so clearly. For a strict requirement, such as no lilies near a cat, choose a bouquet that does not contain them in the first place.

If you are going away for a few days, cut the stems short, move the vase to the coolest room and fill it with fresh water and a little flower food. Remove any open blooms that are already past their best. Bouquets won’t last through a long absence, but this routine often buys several extra days, and the stems rarely mind a bit of neglect once they are properly hydrated.