Elegant Graduation Gift Ideas in Northern Virginia: A Guide to Giving Flowers

It goes without saying that graduation is a big deal! Whether someone is graduating from high school or they’ve turned in their college thesis for a diploma, this is a milestone that’s hard-earned and worth celebrating. And in an area like Northern Virginia, graduation often comes at a time of peak bloom. There’s a profusion of peonies, irises, and other spring flowers. Flowering trees make for the perfect backdrop for photos. So, why not give the gift of flowers to commemorate their accomplishments? A fresh bouquet marks this season of flourishing—be it in nature or in your loved one’s goals and dreams!

Want to give flowers to a recent grad in your life, but you’re not sure where to start? This is the perfect guide that will walk you through the essentials: why flowers are the most elegant graduation gift, what flowers to give, how to present them, and a color guide for schools in the Northern Virginia area.

Why Flowers Make Perfect Graduation Gifts

Fresh flowers aren’t just pretty. They bring full richness and symbolism to any occasion, and a graduation ceremony is no exception! Their fragrance, texture, and overall beauty are as fresh as the new chapter opening for the graduate. And the flowers you present to them hold as much meaning as this milestone. They are expressions of pride, growth, joy, and a sense of accomplishment.

And in case that’s not enough, here are a few other reasons that flowers are an elegant (and practical) graduation gift:

Versatile: Like many celebrations, there’s a lot going on. Family and friends gather around the graduate and navigate the logistics of the ceremony and celebration afterward. A loose-wrapped bouquet of blooms is light and easy to carry throughout the day.
Customizable: The grad in your life is one-of-a-kind, so their flowers should be too. There’s a graduation gift for her that captures her tenacity with bold, bright colors, just as there’s a gift for him that captures his thoughtful and deep intellect. And if you’re looking to include the grad’s alma mater in the celebration, you can bring a bouquet with the school’s colors. (Check out our handy color guide below!)
Memorable: This moment, just like a flower, won’t last forever. But the flowers you give the graduate in your life will be an indelible mark on the occasion. This is part of a flower’s true power: its ability to bring us into the present moment while also helping us to remember and reflect.

Whether you’re in the stands cheering on the class of 2025 or you’re sending your love from afar, flowers are the perfect graduation gift.

What Flowers To Get For The Graduation Ceremony?

Now for the fun part: choosing the flowers for a graduation gift. For the best flowers for college graduation, you can never go wrong with the grad’s favorite flowers or colors, but if you want to go the extra mile for this major milestone, consider flowers that might fit the season, the graduate’s personality, or fit into the greater context of this graduate’s accomplishment!

Seasonal: What better way to mark this special occasion than with the flowers that naturally bloom this time of year? And what a season it is! Peonies, tulips, ranunculus, lilac, hyacinth, and anemones are just a few excellent choices of flowers that are blooming this time of year. By opting for seasonal flowers, you’re not only staying with the spring season, but you’re more likely to find flowers that are grown locally (read: sustainably). Embrace this season of abundance and joy for a graduation gift!
Wild and Exotic: For a true show-stopping graduation gift, look for striking and unusual flowers. Orchids, protea, star-of-Bethlehem, and even allium can create dazzling designs that are as wild and precious as your graduate’s drive and passion!
Classic: This style of bouquet might be the perfect graduation gift for that high achiever shooting for the stars! Garden roses, hydrangeas, viburnum, sweet peas, or delicate accents of nerine lilies create stunning flower bouquets that are as timeless as they are elegant. Just because it’s classic doesn’t mean it’s not exciting!
Rooted: If the grad in your life is settling into a new dorm, apartment, or office, a dish garden or potted plant is the perfect graduation gift to help them put down roots of their own. Its lush beauty can mark the celebration and live on from the corner of a desk or kitchen table. Potted orchids, ferns, or shade-loving pothos will all keep the celebration going!

If you’re still unsure what flowers would fit your graduate best, our designers are happy to help! We’ll walk you through the best flowers for the grad in your life!

How to Gift Flowers for Graduation

Once you’ve chosen the right blooms, knowing how to present them (and when) can be just as important as the flowers you choose. Consider these tips:

After the Ceremony: It’s important to read the proverbial room and use your best judgment on when to present the graduation gift, but waiting until the ceremony is over is generally the best time. Once the graduate has the diploma in their hand and the caps have been tossed, that’s the time to present the gift. It’s when the nerves and anticipation they felt are replaced with beaming smiles, and they’re ready to get their picture taken. And now they’ll have their graduation flowers as the perfect added touch to their photo!
Special Delivery: If you’re unable to attend the ceremony, you can call ahead to schedule a delivery to the graduation venue, the grad’s home, or even a restaurant where they might be gathering afterward. Having flowers delivered sends the message you’re celebrating their accomplishments, even if you’re not there in person.

Northern Virginia & DC Metro Guide to School Colors

Coordinating the graduation flowers with the graduate’s school colors can be a thoughtful way to celebrate this milestone and mark the end of this era. We’ve curated a list of schools in Northern Virginia (and the surrounding DMV area) that breaks down the school and its colors so you can find out which hues to include in your graduation gift!

Keep in mind that certain colors are hard to find in nature. For example, there are no flowers that are naturally navy blue, but decorations like ribbon can be added to bring in those colors.