Is Flower Giving Still Practiced Today?
Yes—if you mean giving flowers to express affection, gratitude, sympathy or congratulations, the tradition is still practised today. The language of flowers also survives as a source of inspiration, although a recipient may not interpret a bouquet according to a historical code. Choose for the person and explain your intention in a short card instead of relying on a hidden message.
At Pyat Tsvetov (5 Flowers), customers often need help deciding whether a bouquet will feel romantic, formal or simply kind. Those distinctions matter more than memorising a list of meanings, especially when sending flowers to someone in Russia from abroad. We have been working in Saint Petersburg since 2011, and a useful starting point is always the relationship, the occasion and the place where the flowers will be received.
How the tradition works in everyday life
Flowers remain a way to mark a birthday, thank a host, congratulate a colleague or show that someone far away is in your thoughts. The gesture works best when its scale suits the relationship: a manageable bouquet can be more comfortable to receive than an arrangement that is difficult to carry home. Consider whether the recipient will be at home, at work or attending an event. A bouquet should fit that setting as well as the occasion.
Keep the distinction between expressing a feeling and expecting a response. For an established relationship, a personal reference in the card can make the gift feel considered; for a newer acquaintance, clear and restrained wording reduces ambiguity. Flowers accompanying an apology should support an honest message rather than take its place. If someone has asked for space or said they do not want gifts, respecting that preference matters more than following a tradition.
Use flower meanings as a guide, not a fixed code
Floral symbolism depends on culture, context and the recipient's own associations. Red roses often suggest romance, but a favourite flower may communicate attention more effectively than a conventional romantic choice. White flowers can look appropriate for a celebration or an expression of sympathy, depending on the arrangement and message. Avoid treating a colour as proof of one universal meaning, particularly when sending across cultures.
Historical flower dictionaries are interesting, but their interpretations can differ and may be unfamiliar to the person receiving the bouquet. If you want to express gratitude, write a specific line such as, “Thank you for making us feel so welcome.” For affection, mention something personal that the recipient will recognise without needing to decode the flowers. Our guide to choosing floral design offers another way to think about the bouquet's overall effect.
Bouquets we can deliver
Russian etiquette: numbers, relationships and the card
For a celebratory gift in Russia, an odd number of stems is the usual convention when the flowers are individually counted. Even numbers are traditionally associated with mourning, so take particular care when choosing a simple bouquet with an obvious stem count. Dense mixed bouquets can be less straightforward to count, but that is not a reason to disregard the convention. If the recipient follows Russian customs, use their expectations as your guide.
The wording of the card helps establish whether the gift is personal, professional or romantic. For a colleague, name the achievement or occasion and sign in a way they will recognise; for family, a familiar phrase may be enough. Our delivery is anonymous by default, meaning the courier does not name the sender, and a card with your text is free. Include your name in the card if you want the recipient to know immediately who sent the flowers.
Choose a bouquet the recipient can comfortably enjoy
Start with known preferences: favourite colours, flowers they dislike and whether strong fragrance bothers them. A familiar preference is a more dependable guide than an assumed symbolic meaning. Think about available space, too: a tall bouquet needs a suitable vase and a stable position, while a broad arrangement can occupy much of a small table. If the flowers will arrive at work, consider how the recipient will get them home.
Household circumstances deserve the same attention as appearance. Where there are pets or small children, check the suitability of the particular flowers before choosing, and plan to keep the bouquet and vase water out of reach. Lilies are particularly dangerous to cats, so choose a bouquet without them for a home with cats. You can browse the bouquets catalogue with these practical limits in mind, then choose the colours and shape that suit the person.
Time a delivery to Russia around the recipient's day
When ordering from abroad, use the delivery city's local date and time rather than the date on your own clock. Check the address carefully, including the building and flat or office details, and provide a recipient number the courier can reach. The courier calls about 15 minutes before arrival, so plan for that contact when arranging a surprise. Choose a time when the recipient can accept the flowers and has somewhere suitable to put them.
We deliver flowers across Russia, with express delivery in large cities available 1–2 hours after the order is confirmed. Other timing options are an exact time within plus or minus 30 minutes, windows of 09–12, 12–15, 15–18 or 18–21, and pre-orders 1–30 days ahead; delivery in Saint Petersburg is around the clock. City delivery costs 500 RUB, while the operator confirms the price for remote districts and suburbs when confirming the order. Check delivery and payment information and the timing confirmed for your order before arranging another event around the arrival.
Complete the order and help the flowers last
Before submitting the order, review the bouquet, recipient details, delivery timing and the exact card text, including your signature if wanted. Online checkout uses CloudPayments; check the payment options displayed there, as acceptance of every foreign card cannot be assumed. For questions, call 8 (812) 507-67-05. If the recipient is absent, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with the sender's consent, hand the flowers to a neighbour or concierge.
Once the flowers arrive, place cut stems in a clean vase with fresh water and remove leaves that would sit below the waterline. Recut the stem ends with a clean, sharp tool, and follow the packet directions if flower food is supplied. Keep the bouquet away from radiators, direct sun and ripening fruit, refresh the water regularly, and remove fading material as it appears. Different flowers age at different rates; our practical vase-life guide explains how care and condition affect how long a bouquet stays presentable.
Frequently asked questions
Is the language of flowers still practised today?
Yes, floral meanings still influence gift choices, particularly for romance, congratulations and sympathy. They are not a shared code that every recipient will understand, so use a card to make your intention clear.
Should a celebratory bouquet in Russia have an odd number of flowers?
An odd number is the usual convention for a celebratory bouquet with individually counted stems. Even numbers are traditionally associated with mourning, so keep that distinction in mind when choosing a simple bouquet.
Will the recipient know who sent the flowers?
Delivery is anonymous by default: the courier does not name the sender. A card with your text is free, so include your name there if you want the recipient to recognise the gift.
Can I order flowers to Russia while I am abroad?
You can place an online order for delivery across Russia and enter the recipient's delivery details. Checkout uses CloudPayments; check the displayed payment options because acceptance of every foreign card is not guaranteed.
What happens if the recipient is not at the address?
We agree a second delivery the same day or arrange handover to a neighbour or concierge with the sender's consent. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival.
Ready to send a bouquet?
Pick a city, choose the flowers, and we will hand them over with a photo confirmation.
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