Choosing the Best Flowers for Graduation Day - A Floral Designer’s Guide

I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re standing in front of rows of flowers, trying to pick the right ones for graduation. I’m in the midst of a graduating Senior from High School myself and trust me I want her day to be perfect too!  You want them to feel meaningful and special, not like a last-minute errand you rushed through on the way to the ceremony.

I’m Amy Marella, the owner of Hidden Garden Flowers, and I’ve spent over 25 years designing florals for A-list events and graduation events at schools like UCLA, Viewpoint High School and USC. I put this guide together to help you choose with purpose, so your gift feels just right.

Keep reading and I’ll share the graduation flowers I reach for most and what they really mean when you hand them over. I’ve also added the same advice I give to friends and family when they call me in a panic, unsure what to choose. It’s all here to help you get it right and feel good about what you’re giving.

Peonies - For Wishing Future Prosperity

Image: Hidden Garden’s Peony Meadow

Peonies always get me emotional during graduation season, probably because I've spent years watching proud parents and excited graduates light up when they see them. THis is one of those “go to flowers” when they are in season so adding in a few of these blooms will be sure to brighten the graduates day! 

They're only in season for a short window, and it just happens to line up perfectly with graduation season. This exclusivity is what gives them a special and luxurious feel. 

To me, peonies symbolize honor and prosperity better than any other flower. Making them perfect for celebrating a major milestone with real elegance and something memorable.

Hydrangeas - For Overcoming Challenges

Image: Hidden Garden’s Purple Passions

I always think of hydrangeas for graduations where the journey wasn’t linear. Where there were starts and stops, second chances, nights when it would’ve been easier to quit. These blooms have that layered, almost tangled look, and to me, they feel like a quiet nod to every messy part of getting here.

They’re in season for most graduations, which means they’ll look vibrant and full in any graduation bouquet or arrangement.

A thoughtful idea is to layer hydrangeas in a wide bouquet with a handwritten note woven through the stems. No wrapping, just tied with linen ribbon like it was meant to be held tight.

Orchids - For Celebrating Academic Excellence

Image: Hidden Garden’s Serenity Orchids

There’s a stillness to orchids that I’ve always found powerful. During graduation season, when everything feels loud and fast, giving someone an orchid feels like handing them a moment of calm. 

In flower language, orchids stand for rare achievement, resilience, and beauty earned through patience. That kind of meaning doesn’t just sit pretty, it carries weight.

I think they’re perfect for graduates who pushed for more than just a diploma. Honors students, valedictorians, artists whose work turned heads, anyone who refused to settle. These are the flowers that say, you didn’t just finish, you exceeded every expectation.  This is a bloom you often see incorporated into floral leis around every proud graduated. 

Sunflowers - For Students Who Support Others

You don’t pick sunflowers when you want to play it safe. You pick them when you want your gift to stand tall and speak loud. They’re full of life, they face the light, and they don’t flinch. That’s what makes them so right for graduation.

I match sunflowers with students who brought energy to the whole class. The ones who stayed late to help clean up after events or kept people grounded when things got overwhelming. Sunflowers reflect that kind of spirit. They don’t ask for attention, they earn it just by showing up fully.

Roses - For Telling Graduates You Love Them

Image: Hidden Garden’s Forever Captivating

Graduation day is emotional. You’re proud, maybe a little overwhelmed, and sometimes you just want to say “I love you” without turning it into a big speech. That’s where roses come in. 

I recommend roses, especially when celebrating college or high school graduates journeys which you've witnessed personally. Think of your daughter wrapping up her senior recital, your best friend completing their master's degree, or a niece proudly crossing the stage with a nursing diploma. 

Roses naturally express your admiration, making them feel cherished beyond the applause.

Tulips - For New Beginnings

Image: Hidden Garden’s Springs Melody

Graduation time always brings a rush of tulip orders to the Hidden Garden, and honestly, I get it. Tulips carry a natural message of new beginnings, optimism, and genuine celebration. Which is why so many people are keen to gift them during graduations.

These blooms resonate beautifully when you’re celebrating someone just starting their next big adventure. I’d say they couldn’t be better suited to both High School grads who are getting ready to move out of the house for the first time. Or college grads who are entering the workforce.

Tulips let people know you can’t wait to see what they do next

4 Tips For Choosing The Best Flowers To Give On Graduation Day

Now that we’ve talked about what different flowers mean, I also have a couple of tips that you can use to show your graduate you put some serious thought into their graduation flowers. 

But at this point, If you’re still not sure where to start, take a look at these graduation bouquet ideas for more inspiration.

1. Pick Colors That Match Their Outfit

I always tell people to just take a good look at what they’re wearing. Soft dress? Keep the flowers soft. Bold suit? Go rich and deep with color. When the bouquet matches their outfit, it feels thoughtful, not thrown together. I’ve seen it make the whole look feel more natural, especially in photos.

It doesn’t have to be exact, but it should feel like it all belongs together. That little bit of effort makes it feel personal, like you really saw them.

2. Include Their Favorite Flowers

I had a client once mention that her daughter always picked daisies as a kid, so we added a few into her graduation bouquet. It wasn’t the fanciest choice, but it made her smile the second she saw it. That little detail brought a real moment of connection.

You don’t need to fill the whole arrangement with their favorite, but including just one or two can make it feel like it was made just for them. It shows you paid attention, and on a day like this, that really matters.

3. Flowers That Represent Their School Colors

I’ve done a lot of graduation bouquets with school colors, and they always stand out in the best way. Not in a flashy way but with real pride. It’s such a simple way to honor where they’ve been, especially if the school meant a lot to them. Think soft yellow for UCLA, deep red for USC. Those touches hit home.

4. Don’t Limit Yourself to Just Bouquets

Some of my favorite graduation pieces haven’t been bouquets at all. I’ve made delicate floral crowns, floral leis, simple blooms tied to the handle of a gift bag, even a tiny boutonniere for a younger sibling who wanted to match. Flowers don’t have to be big to be meaningful, they just have to feel right.

Get Your Graduation Flowers From The Hidden Garden

You don’t have to figure it out on your own. The designers here at The Hidden Garden know how to take your ideas and turn them into something that feels right for the moment. 

Shop our 2025 Graduation flowers collection. Or contact us and let us create something custom that celebrates who they are and everything they’ve worked for.