Seasonal Flowers in March: What Our Florists Recommend
In March the seasonal flowers are spring bulbs and early bloomers: tulips, mimosa, narcissi, hyacinths, ranunculus, anemones, freesia and muscari, joined by flowering branches towards the end of the month. These flowers are at their freshest and most varied in March, so a seasonal bouquet costs you nothing in quality and gives the recipient the longest vase life of the year for these varieties.
Our shops in Saint Petersburg have been working since 2011, and every March the same questions come up at the counter: what to choose for 8 March, which flowers survive a cold walk home, what lasts longest, and how far ahead to order. This article collects our answers, arranged roughly in the order the month unfolds.
Early March: tulips and mimosa before the 8th
The first week of March is dominated by preparations for International Women's Day, and the two flowers customers ask for most are tulips and mimosa. Tulips come in the widest range of the year at this point: simple cup-shaped varieties, double peony tulips, fringed edges, parrot tulips with ruffled petals and tall French tulips. A bunch of 15 to 25 tulips in one colour is the most common gift we wrap in these days, and it suits a mother, a colleague and a teacher equally well.
Mimosa is bought more for its mood than for its longevity. Its yellow pompons and soft honey scent are tied in Russian memory to school celebrations and the first sunny days, but it lasts only three to five days in water before drying. We advise giving it on the day itself rather than a day early, and keeping it out of a warm car or a sunny windowsill. Our separate article on mimosa for 8 March covers its season and vase life in detail.
Customers often ask whether tulips and mimosa can go in one bouquet. They can, and the combination is a classic, but remember that the mimosa will fade first. When it does, take it out and leave the tulips in fresh water; they will usually carry on for several more days.
Mid-March: ranunculus, anemones and freesia
Once the holiday rush is over, the counters fill with more delicate spring flowers. Ranunculus is the one customers fall for most: layered, papery petals in cream, apricot, pink and burgundy, looking like a cross between a rose and a peony. In cool water it lasts seven to ten days, and the buds open slowly, so a ranunculus bouquet keeps changing. For colours and bouquet ideas, see our guide to ranunculus in Russia.
Anemones are the graphic contrast: bright red, violet or white petals around a dark centre. They react to light and warmth, opening wide in the day and closing in the evening, and last five to seven days. They do well in compact posies and in mixed bouquets where they act as the accent.
Freesia is the flower we recommend to people who want scent without heaviness. Its fresh, slightly fruity smell fills a room, and the buds open one after another along the stem for up to ten days. A white or yellow freesia bouquet works for colleagues, while purple and pink freesia mixed with ranunculus makes a soft, romantic arrangement.
Bouquets we can deliver
Late March: hyacinths, narcissi and blossom branches
By the end of the month customers start asking for something that feels like spring rather than a holiday. Hyacinths are the strongest answer: dense spikes of blue, lilac, pink or white with a powerful scent. Cut hyacinths last about a week; hyacinths in a pot flower for two weeks or more and are an excellent gift for an older relative who prefers a living plant to cut flowers.
Narcissi and daffodils come in from the second half of March in larger quantities. They are cheerful and last five to seven days, but their sap shortens the life of other flowers. If they go into a mixed vase, let them stand alone in water for a few hours first and do not recut them afterwards. In a bouquet prepared by a florist, this step has already been done.
Flowering branches, from forced cherry or apricot blossom to pussy willow, add height and a sense of the season. Pussy willow has its own Russian association with Palm Sunday, which usually falls in April, so a few branches with tulips make a seasonal composition that is understood without words.
What lasts longest and how to keep March flowers fresh
The question we hear most often is simply which spring flower will last longest. A rough order from our experience: potted bulbs two weeks or more, freesia and ranunculus up to ten days, hyacinths and narcissi about a week, tulips and anemones five to eight days, mimosa three to five days. If longevity matters more than seasonality, roses are available all year and can be combined with spring flowers; our article on roses in Russia explains which varieties last best.
Spring bulbs prefer cold water and little of it. Tulips, hyacinths and narcissi drink mainly from the surface, so a vase filled to a third and topped up daily works better than a full one. Change the water every day or two, trim one or two centimetres from the stems with a sharp knife, and keep the vase away from radiators, which in Saint Petersburg are still running at full power in March.
Tulips continue to grow in the vase and lean towards the window. Customers sometimes think this is a sign of a bad bouquet, but it is normal behaviour for the flower. Use a tall vase that supports the stems, turn it once a day, and the bouquet will keep a tidy shape.
Etiquette for spring flowers in Russia
For celebrations, give an odd number of stems; even numbers are reserved for memorial occasions. In large bouquets of more than fifteen stems the rule is no longer counted, but in small bunches of three, five or seven people still notice. Wrapping is usually removed before handing the flowers over in formal settings, though for street gifts and deliveries it is perfectly fine to leave it.
On 8 March flowers are given not only to partners but also to mothers, grandmothers, daughters, colleagues and teachers. Many customers order several modest bouquets rather than one large one. Tulips, freesia and mimosa are neutral choices for colleagues, while red tulips or ranunculus carry a more romantic tone. If you are unsure how the Russian holiday differs from Valentine's Day, see March 8 vs Valentine's Day.
A card is part of the gift in Russia. Even two lines in the recipient's language, a warm wish for spring and health, are remembered longer than the flowers themselves.
Ordering a March bouquet to Russia from abroad
Choose a bouquet in our catalogue and pay online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay; foreign bank cards are also accepted, with payment processed via Robokassa. We deliver across Russia. City delivery costs 500 RUB, and for suburbs and remote districts the operator confirms the price when confirming the order.
For 8 March we strongly recommend ordering early. You can pre-order 1 to 30 days ahead and choose an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes) or a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21. In large cities express delivery takes 1 to 2 hours after the order is confirmed, and in Saint Petersburg we deliver around the clock, which helps when you want flowers waiting first thing in the morning.
Delivery is anonymous by default, and the card with your text is free. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival; if nobody is home, we arrange a second delivery the same day or leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge with your consent. For any questions about a March order, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Which flowers are in season in March?
Tulips, mimosa, narcissi, hyacinths, ranunculus, anemones, freesia and muscari, plus flowering branches at the end of the month. These are the spring bulbs and early bloomers at their freshest.
What flowers are traditional for 8 March in Russia?
Tulips and mimosa are the classic choice. Tulips are the most popular bouquet flower of the holiday, and mimosa is strongly associated with it by Russian speakers.
Which March flower lasts longest in a vase?
Freesia and ranunculus last up to ten days with fresh cool water. Potted hyacinths and other bulbs flower even longer, two weeks or more.
How early should I order flowers for 8 March?
Order as early as possible, since you can pre-order 1 to 30 days ahead. Choosing a time window in advance is the most reliable way to have the bouquet arrive on the day.
Can I pay from abroad with a foreign card?
Yes. Foreign bank cards are accepted, with payment processed via Robokassa. Russian cards, SBP and Yandex Pay are also available on the site.
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