Common Flowers in Russia: What Grows, What Russians Give and When
The most common flowers in Russia fall into three groups: wildflowers such as chamomile, cornflowers and lily of the valley; garden and dacha flowers such as lilac, peonies, phlox, gladioli and asters; and bouquet flowers bought for gifts, led by roses, tulips, chrysanthemums and carnations. Chamomile is often called Russia's unofficial national flower, while roses are by far the most popular gift.
Customers abroad often ask us which flowers will feel familiar and "Russian" to a relative in Saint Petersburg, Moscow or a small town in the Urals. The answer depends on the season and the occasion, because many of these flowers are tied to specific dates in the Russian calendar. Here is how our florists explain it, from the meadow to the vase.
Wildflowers every Russian knows
Chamomile (romashka) is the flower most Russians name first. It grows in meadows and along country roads from June to August, and generations of children have pulled its petals while saying "loves me, loves me not". Since 2008 it has been the symbol of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity on 8 July, so a chamomile-style bouquet of white spray chrysanthemums or field daisies carries a warm family meaning.
Cornflowers (vasilki), bright blue against ripening rye, are the classic flower of Russian fields and folk songs. Lily of the valley (landysh) appears in shaded forests in May and is loved for its scent; many grandmothers still remember buying small bunches at metro stations. Forget-me-nots, bluebells and wild clover complete the picture of a Russian summer meadow.
Wildflowers do not travel well and wilt quickly once picked, so they are rarely sold in shops. When customers ask us for "something like a field bouquet", we compose it from longer-lasting flowers with a similar look: spray chrysanthemums, small daisies, blue eryngium, limonium and plenty of greenery.
Dacha flowers: lilac, peonies and the September gladiolus
The dacha, a summer house with a garden plot, shapes Russian taste in flowers more than any shop. In late May and early June, lilac blooms in almost every courtyard and dacha, and in Saint Petersburg its scent marks the start of the white nights. Bird cherry (cheryomukha) flowers just before it, and Russians say its blossom brings a short spell of cold weather.
Peonies are the queen of the dacha in June. They are lush, fragrant and short-lived, which makes them all the more prized; when peony season comes, customers ask for them more than for roses. Later in summer, phlox, dahlias, lilies and sweet peas fill the beds, along with matthiola, whose evening scent fills a room, as we describe in our piece on fragrant matthiola stems.
Gladioli and asters belong to 1 September, the Day of Knowledge, when schoolchildren walk to their first lesson carrying flowers for the teacher. For decades these were the dacha flowers ripe at exactly that moment, and many adults still associate a tall gladiolus with a school uniform and new textbooks.
Bouquets we can deliver
The flowers Russians buy most as gifts
Roses are the undisputed leader all year round: for birthdays, dates, anniversaries and thank-yous. Red means love, pink and cream mean tenderness and gratitude, white suits weddings and young women. Chrysanthemums come second in our shops, valued because a bouquet of spray chrysanthemums easily stands two weeks in a vase and looks cheerful even in grey November.
Tulips are the flower of spring and above all of 8 March, International Women's Day, when men buy them for wives, mothers, daughters and colleagues. Yellow mimosa is the other traditional 8 March flower, fluffy and fragrant, though it lasts only a few days. In April and May irises join them, beautiful but short-lived, as we explain in our article on irises and their vase life.
Carnations have a special status. In Soviet times they were the flower of official holidays, and today red carnations are laid at memorials on 9 May, Victory Day. For that reason, some older people see them as a ceremonial rather than a personal gift, and we usually suggest other flowers for a romantic or birthday bouquet. Alstroemeria, eustoma and hydrangea have become very popular in recent years, especially in mixed bouquets.
Etiquette that comes with Russian flowers
Whatever the flower, the count must be odd for a living person: 3, 5, 7, 9 or more. Even numbers are reserved for funerals and memorial visits, and this rule is taken seriously by older generations. In mixed bouquets nobody counts every stem, but for single-variety bouquets of roses or tulips we always check.
Flowers are given far more often than in many Western countries. It is normal to bring a small bouquet when invited to dinner, to give flowers to a teacher on 1 September and at graduation, and to thank a doctor after treatment; our article on flowers for a Russian doctor or nurse covers what is appropriate there.
Yellow flowers are a delicate topic for older people, who may still link them with parting. For a grandmother or a traditional mother-in-law, choose pink, white or peach instead, and save the bright yellow for younger recipients who simply see it as joy.
Matching the flower to the Russian calendar
January and February bring the most demand for roses and chrysanthemums, with a sharp peak around 14 February. Early March belongs to tulips and mimosa, and in the week before 8 March our Saint Petersburg shops are at their busiest of the year. If you want a bouquet delivered on that date, pre-ordering several days ahead is wise; you can book delivery 1-30 days in advance.
From late May to July, peonies, lilac-toned bouquets and summer mixes are in season. Late August and early September revolve around 1 September bouquets for teachers. Autumn favours chrysanthemums, dahlias and warm-coloured roses, and December leads into New Year compositions with fir branches, cones and dried elements, which last well in heated flats.
Sending typical Russian flowers to someone in Russia
We deliver bouquets across Russia, and within Saint Petersburg we deliver around the clock. Choose a bouquet in our catalogue; delivery within the city costs 500 RUB, while for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities express delivery takes 1-2 hours after confirmation, and you can also choose an exact time, a three-hour window or a date up to 30 days ahead.
Payment is made online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted via Robokassa. Delivery is anonymous by default, and a card with your text is free. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival; if nobody is home, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge. For questions, call us at 8 (812) 507-67-05. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the national flower of Russia?
Russia has no officially adopted national flower, but chamomile is widely regarded as its unofficial symbol. It is also the emblem of the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity on 8 July.
What flowers are given on 8 March in Russia?
Tulips and mimosa are the traditional flowers of International Women's Day. Roses and mixed spring bouquets are also very popular.
Which flowers should I avoid giving in Russia?
Avoid even numbers of flowers for living people, as they are for funerals. With older recipients, be careful with yellow flowers and red carnations, which some see as ceremonial.
Which flowers are given on 1 September?
Gladioli and asters are the traditional choice for teachers on the Day of Knowledge. Today roses, chrysanthemums and bright mixed bouquets are common too.
Which common Russian flower lasts longest in a vase?
Chrysanthemums usually last the longest, often two weeks. Carnations and alstroemeria are also very durable.
Ready to send a bouquet?
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