How to send flowers online in Australia

Why flowers still work

Flowers say what a text message cannot. They can congratulate, comfort, apologise or simply say you are thinking of someone, and they arrive as something real in the hand. When you send flowers online, it does not matter whether the recipient lives down the road or on the other side of the country.

Match the bunch to the moment

Begin with the occasion. A rough guide:

• Birthday: Bright and mixed. Gerberas, sunflowers and tulips suit most ages.
• Romance: Roses are the classic. Red is for passion, pink for tenderness.
• Sympathy: White or soft pastels in a calm arrangement. Many Australians also donate to a charity in lieu of flowers, so read the notice carefully before ordering.
• Congratulations or graduation: Yellow, orange and fresh greens feel like a celebration, and graduation season often falls in late spring and early summer.
• Thank you: Pink, lilac and cream say warmth without being too intimate.
• Hospital: Choose light-scented blooms, and ring the ward first, because rules vary. Our hospital guide has the detail.

To go deeper on colour and meaning, see our page on the language of flowers.

Placing the order

The steps are short:

• 1. Pick a bunch. Browse the range and choose something that fits the person and the occasion.
• 2. Give the address. Enter the recipient's name and a street address. It can be a home, workplace, funeral home or hospital ward.
• 3. Choose the date. Pick the day you want the flowers to arrive. If the recipient is out all day, a workplace address can be easier.
• 4. Write the card. A short, personal message beats a generic line every time.
• 5. Check and pay. Look the details over once more and complete the order.

Timing, distance and the weather

Delivery options depend on where the recipient lives. City addresses are generally simpler than rural ones, and a remote property may need more lead time, so choose the delivery date carefully at checkout. In summer, heat is the enemy of cut flowers, so if nobody will be home, send to a workplace or ask a neighbour to take the bunch inside.

Allow extra time near big dates. Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May and Father's Day on the first Sunday in September, and both are very busy. Valentine's Day on 14 February is another popular date, and so is the lead-up to Christmas, which in Australia arrives in the middle of summer.

A few habits that help

• Check the street number and suburb twice, as a small typo can send a delivery to the wrong place.
• Add a card, even if it is only a line or two.
• If you are unsure what the recipient likes, ask a friend or choose a mixed bunch in their favourite colours.
• Think about pets at the destination, because some flowers, lilies in particular, are dangerous to cats.
• For a hospital, ring ahead to confirm that the ward accepts flowers.

Can I leave my name off?

The card is yours to write. If you would rather the recipient wonders, you can leave your name off the message or sign it with a nickname only they would know. Just remember that if there is a problem with the delivery, the florist may need a way to reach you.

Looking after the bunch

Once the flowers arrive, a few minutes of care makes them last. Our care and maintenance tips explain how to trim stems and keep the water fresh, which matters most in hot weather. To find a bunch for any occasion, browse the flowers online and choose one that suits.