Among flowers and holidays, Mother's Day is on the top of the list. The flowers in this type of holiday include bouquets, lilies and pastel arrangements. What about fathers? The reality is, Father’s Day has an official floral emblem, and many people do not know that it exists. The floral emblem for Father's Day is a rose and the rose comes with two symbolic meanings: A red rose represents a father who is alive, while a white rose is used to commemorate a father who has died. This floral tradition started in the early part of the 20th century, in the city where the first Father’s Day was celebrated. The origin story of the rose becoming the character flower for Father’s Day is a wonderful American story that could change your perspective on giving flowers to the men in your life.
The History Behind Father's Day's Official Flower
Father's Day is celebrated in the United States as a day dedicated to showing appreciation for fathers. The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, and was established by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the challenges faced by her father, William Jackson Smart. After raising six children on his own as a Civil War veteran after his wife died giving birth, he became a source of constant strength and love. Dodd believed that, like mothers, fathers should be honored and given special recognition, so she started advocating for Father's Day in 1909.
As part of her campaign to create a Father's Day holiday, Dodd decided that a rose would be the official flower for the day. She chose the rose because there were many different varieties of roses in her garden and the rose was the most beautiful flower to her. In addition to being a visually appealing flower, the rose represents the strength of fathers and the love that they show to their children. In addition, she recommended that people wear a red rose to celebrate a living father and a white rose to remember a deceased father. This color system was a way to allow people to privately acknowledge the status of the individual they were honoring.
The Deep Symbolism of the Rose for Father’s Day
Some men resist the idea of receiving flowers as they believe they are romantic gifts only. Roses however contain a much greater meaning than just being for romance, each colour when given as a gift represents a multitude of meanings--of power, guidance and quiet devotion, respectively. The rose can be given to fathers because the rose has held many historical representations as indicating courage, honour and unwavering loyalty; hence it would be appropriate to give a rose to your father's day gift.
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Red Rose - The red rose is the traditional flower to give to your father and symbolises deep love and respect for him as well as admiration. The red rose will also represent the qualities of bravery and strength as they are a testament for a father's strength and inner self and for all the sacrifices made daily on behalf of his child.
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White Rose - The white rose is a flower reserved for memorial or remembrance and is representative of the purity of remembrance, is a symbol signifying honour and peace. When sons and daughters are grieving the loss of their father, they often choose the white rose as a way to tell their father's spirit still lives through their actions.
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Yellow Rose - The yellow rose is not an official flower of father's day; however it has gained much favour and symbolism as a suitable alternative. The yellow rose symbolises the kindness and happiness experienced between fathers and themselves. When men choose to give yellow roses to their fathers on father's day they are signifying that they are also their best friends because they have fun together, provide support for each other and are always willing to be a shoulder to lean on.
Top Flowers to Get for Father's Day: Their Meaning and Where to Find Them
Not every dad has the same personality, so it stands to reason that no flower will be an exact match for him. That's why we've created this complete guide to help you know what the best flowers for Father's Day are, what they mean, which kind of father they will fit best, and creative ways to give them as a gift to your dad. For example: if your dad's a hard-nosed businessman, or playful and optimistic, or sophisticated - there's a flower out there for him!
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Rose - Representing Love Respect and Strength
Symbolism. Roses are the official flower for Father's Day and represent deep love, unconditional respect, and inner strength. Red roses are typically given as a way to "honor" a living father, white roses are given to "honor" a deceased father.
Which dad does this suit? Every father, because these are universal.
Gift ideas. Present your dad with a single stem rose, in a very simple vase. The rose will provide a powerful, understated effect on your dad. You may also give your dad a rustic looking presentation by wrapping the cut stems of the roses in a piece of brown kraft paper and securing them with a piece of leather cord.
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Sunflower – Represents warmth, devotion, and joy
Symbolism. A sunflower is associated with loyalty, joyfulness, and positivity. Its long, thick stem symbolizes the father as a foundation of the family unit. A sunflower’s head turns toward where the sun is (just as children look to their fathers for guidance).
Best suited for the optimistic family leader or a father with a passion for gardening or spending time outside. Also good for fathers with a bright and encouraging personality.
Gift ideas. For a rustic, farmhouse look, arrange three to five sunflowers in a galvanized metal container. Write a personal note comparing his guidance as being like sunlight.
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Orchid – Symbolizes masculinity, strength, and elegance
Symbolism. The orchid is a symbol of uniqueness, strength, and luxury. Orchids possess a more rigid structure compared to many other flower varieties, which gives them an almost architectural quality, making them more masculine and sophisticated.
Best suited for a father who takes pride in his status, gentlemanly character, and/or who appreciates good design, modern art or minimalism.
Gift ideas. A single potted phalaenopsis orchid (either white or purple) makes a lasting gift that continues to grow and thrive. Use a simple ceramic pot to display the orchid to enhance the gift. Avoid pink or overly intricate varieties of orchids.
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The Gerbera daisy is synonymous with feeling joyful and bringing happiness into one’s life.
With their bright open faces, they display nothing but happiness, joy and the celebration of everyday life.
This flower would be perfect for the father who enjoys fun activities, the father who loves adventure, or the dad who supports you in your chosen sport.
To purchase gerberas for your dad, consider purchasing the bolder colours: orange, red and bright yellow. You could have them displayed in an arrangement in a glass vase filled with colourful marbles or golf balls. Do not use pastel or pink hues as they would not fit his personality.
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The Asian lily (especially Orange Lilies)
Represent purity, sincerity, and loyalty to the family. Unlike the fragrance of the Easter lily, an Asian lily will give you a fresh look and feel.
This flower would be perfect for the dependable family man, the father who works hard to be present at all of your school events or the father who lives life by tradition and home.
To create the perfect gift by using Asian lilies, an orange lily and a red rose could be paired with eucalyptus leaves or other fall foliage (for a very traditional fall appearance) would make a perfect gift. Finally, the stems of these flowers could be tied together using a wide ribbon that is deep burgundy or forest green in colour.
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Carnation - Appreciation & Affection
Symbolism: The carnation makes a great Mother's Day flower, but it can also represent your love and admiration for your father. Red carnations honor fathers who are living; white carnations signify remembrance.
Which dad he fits: The traditional father who values the past and enjoys simplicity.
Gift suggestions: A compact arrangement of red flowers in a simple, masculine container made of glass is an excellent choice. To further enhance the masculinity of the flower arrangement, consider adding leather or wood elements to the wrapping.
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Gladiolus - Character Strength and Abiding Morality
Symbolism: The gladiolus gets its name from the Latin term meaning "sword." A gladiolus flower is symbolic of character strength, loyalty, and moral integrity.
Which dad he fits: The soldier dad, the strict dad, the right/wrong dad.
Gift suggestions: For a living tribute to your father, plant a row of gladiolus corms in his garden. "Gourmet" gladiolus varieties with deep red, maroon, or purple blooms are best for father's day gifting.
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Chrysanthemums - Strength & Durability
Symbolism. Chrysanthemums are symbolic of long life, perseverance, and fidelity. Chrysanthemums are frequently associated with fall and the wisdom associated with advanced age in numerous cultures.
For all dads: The ideal fathers to pair this flower with are older/dads, grandfathers, and dads who have gone through various obstacles and circumstances. Chrysanthemums also make a nice gift for dads celebrating both Father's Day and an important milestone birthday.
Gift Ideas: A potted chrysanthemum plant, which blooms for a lengthy amount of time, will represent continuous health for a father. When selecting a plant, consider selecting one colored in rust/orange metallic, bronze colors, or dark yellow shade, and wrapping the pot with natural burlap and wooden tag labels.
How to Choose Flowers Based on Your Father's Personality
Bouquets are simple purchases, but customized bouquets create lasting memories. By selecting flowers that represent different aspects of your father's personality, you are demonstrating thoughtfulness and a unique relationship to him.
For a father who is more formal or classic in his approach, he will appreciate traditional and disciplined flowers such as red roses, gladiolus, and white lilies. Red roses represent respect, while gladiolus express dignity, and white lilies symbolize purity. When presenting these flowers, consider using a simple vase without extraneous ribbons or embellishments.
For fathers that are active or athletic, your selection should include bright yellow or orange flowers such as sunflowers and gerbera daisies. Both of these flowers embody enthusiasm and high energy. A container with a sports theme (small backpack) would complement these flowers nicely.
For fathers that are more imaginative/young at heart individuals, you should select unique flowers that demonstrate creativity such as orchids, birds of paradise, and dahlias. By using flowers that are unconventional, you will be reflecting the individuality of your father. Use a vintage vase and create an asymmetric arrangement.
If you want to give something that lasts, consider potted plants instead of cut flowers. Some fathers may not like to cut flowers because they wilt so quickly. Examples of potted plant gifts are orchids, succulents, and bonsai trees. Plants represent longevity and growth, like your father’s role in the family, and will require very little care when it comes to growing. Therefore, if your father travels a lot or claims he cannot keep living things alive, succulents would be a good choice.
Ideas For Presenting Gifts and Flowers Creatively
It is just as important how you present a flower as it is to have a flower; for example, if you give a flower to your father on Father's Day, you will want to avoid the use of feminine colours such as pastel ribbons and lace but rather use leather ties, dark colours, wooden crates and hat boxes. "These gifts are sturdy and look like they were intentionally picked."
Winning colour combinations could include red roses and sunflowers together for a warm, strong contrast; orchids and monstera plants (a type of indoor plant) for a clean modern look; or orange lilies and eucalyptus (tree-like plant) for an earthy, down-to-earth feel.
Other things to note would be to attach additional gifts to the centrepiece such as craft beer bottles, coffee beans, jerky sticks and/or dark chocolate; or place a single balloon in the colour of his team in the centrepiece to give it a festive feel without appearing childish.
If you want something that will last for a long time, consider potted bonsai trees, snake plants or cacti; these plants can live for many years as a daily reminder of your love.
You can also use sports team colours for the flowers that you use in the centerpiece. If he is a fan of the Chiefs use red and white flowers; if he is an Orioles fan use non-black and orange flowers; and finally, find some small decorative accessories that represent his hobbies or interests to use in conjunction with the flowers (i.e., a miniature set of tools representing his work/hobby or a compass representing his adventurous side, tied to the flowers).
Care Tips for Keeping Your Father's Day Flowers Fresh Longer
To extend the beauty of a Father's Day bouquet, follow these practical tips for properly caring for your flowers.
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Cut the stems.
When cutting the stems, always do so under running water with a pair of sharp scissors or knife at a 45-degree angle to the stem. This will allow for maximum absorption of water into the flower stem.
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Change the water regularly.
It is very important to replace the water every 1-2 days. Additionally, use fresh and cool (not cold) water each time. Before refilling the vase with new water, make sure to wash the vase thoroughly.
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Remove any leaves which may be sitting below the waterline.
Any leaves that are sitting below the water level in the vase will quickly rot and produce bacteria.
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Keep flowers away from heat and fruit.
It is important to keep the flowers away from direct sunlight, heaters and fruit bowls, as ripening fruits produce ethylene gas which will cause flowers' petals to wilt more quickly.
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Add flower food.
Use the flower food packet provided with the bouquet. If the bouquet doesn't come with a packet, mix 1 tsp of sugar with a few drops of bleach and add it to the water.
Make Your Dad Proud With A Gift That Shows How Much You Care
Dads don’t typically demand attention, but silently deserve it. When you present the right flower, a rose, a sunflower or an orchid, it says much more about respect, gratitude or love than what words can say. This Father’s Day give your dad something that he can truly be proud of by breaking the stereotype that flowers are only for mothers but provide him with something that acknowledges and honors his strength, comfort and dedication.
Place your order with Art Flowers LA today! Art Flowers LA offers same day delivery anywhere in Los Angeles! Each flower arrangement can be tailored based on how the recipient lives his life. Let your father know he is important to you! Place your order now!
FAQ
When was the tradition of wearing flowers on Father's Day established?
The tradition of wearing flowers on Father's Day was established in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington, where the very first Father's Day was celebrated. She introduced the custom of wearing a red rose to honor a living father and a white rose to remember a father who had passed away.
What do forget-me-nots symbolize for Father's Day?
Forget-me-nots symbolize remembrance and undying love, making them a deeply meaningful choice for Father's Day - especially for those honoring the memory of a father who has passed. Their small but vivid blue blooms carry a quiet emotional weight that words often cannot express.
Why are orchids considered appropriate Father's Day flowers?
Orchids represent masculinity, fertility, vigor, and strength - qualities that are traditional attributes associated with fatherhood. Their architectural, structured appearance gives them a distinctly bold and sophisticated character, making them one of the most fitting floral gifts for a father who values elegance and refinement.
What do dahlias symbolize, and why are they a good Father's Day gift?
Dahlias symbolize inner strength, dignity, creativity, elegance, and change - making them a thoughtful and unique alternative to traditional Father's Day flowers. They are an especially meaningful choice for a father who has navigated major life changes or who expresses himself through art, design, or creative pursuits.
What do gerbera daisies represent for Father's Day?
Gerbera daisies symbolize cheerfulness, innocence, and beauty, making them a vibrant and uplifting choice for Father's Day. Their bold, open faces and bright colors- particularly orange, red, and yellow - make them ideal for celebrating a fun-loving, energetic, or sports-oriented dad.
