Why the 2026 Flower of the Year, Delphinium, Will Always Be One of My Favorite Flowers.
If you read the blog regularly, you already know I am a fresh-flower fanatic. For the past few years, I have looked forward to seeing which flower 1-800-Flowers selects for their “Flower of the Year” honors, and for 2026, they chose the Delphinium. YAY!
When they named the Delphinium as the 2026 Flower of the Year, it felt like a personal tribute to my own family history.
*This post is sponsored by 1-800-Flowers. All memories, photos, and opinions are my own.
Why the Delphinium Will Always Be My Sentimental Favorite:
My connection to the delphinium runs deep. It was my mother’s absolute favorite flower. She was obsessed with the color blue (she said it brought out the green in her eyes), and while delphiniums come in stunning whites and purples, it was the pretty, true blue stems that she adored most.
I’ll never forget the one year she attempted to grow them in our garden, which was a patch of dirt in the backyard when I was a little girl. First, I’m pretty certain it was her one and only attempt to grow anything, and secondly, she was well-known for her “brown thumb,” so to this day, I don’t know what she was thinking! But her lack of gardening skills never dampened her love for the bloom.
Once I was old enough, I would buy her a bunch of delphiniums every year on Mother’s Day. I can still remember her smile that very first time. Later, after I moved away, I always made sure to send her a bouquet of delphiniums.
The delphinium tradition took on a new meaning when my oldest daughter, Alex, got married at our lake house. My mother had passed away just the year before her wedding, and we wanted her presence to be felt. I had the honor of making my daughter’s bridal bouquet. She chose to fill it with delphiniums to honor her grandmother.
I will never forget the sight of the basement filled with buckets of blue blooms waiting to be arranged. In the quiet of the morning, I felt my mom there with us, her favorite flower surrounding us.
Why We’re All Falling in Love with the “Vintage” Delphinium Again
If you’ve noticed these beautiful blooms popping up everywhere lately, you aren’t alone! Everyone seems to be planting them in their gardens. I think it has to do with the huge return to vintage style and “Cottagecore” aesthetics right now. We are all craving that romantic, “English Country Garden” look—where flowers feel slightly wild and deeply nostalgic.
Delphiniums Meaning & Symbolism – making them perfect for Mother’s Day!
The delphinium (they are a close cousin to larkspur) carries a wealth of positive meanings that make it perfect for a Mother’s Day tribute:
- The Color Blue: True blue is one of the rarest colors in the plant kingdom, and the Delphinium is the gold standard for it. In the language of flowers, blue specifically represents faithfulness, deep trust, and consistency.
- Protection: In folklore, it was believed to ward off negative energy.
- An Open Heart: In the Victorian language of flowers, it symbolized an open heart.
- Dignity & Grace: Because they grow so tall, they represent standing tall with grace.
- Delphinium: is the official birth flower for July
Its name actually comes from the Greek word delphis (dolphin), because the flower buds are shaped like tiny leaping dolphins!
A Beautiful Tradition: 1-800-Flowers, Flower of the Year.
As I mentioned I look forward to seeing which flower is chosen by 1-800-Flowers each year (they also choose a plant every year!). In 2025, the title belonged to the Ranunculus. EEK! These “buttercups of the floral world” are known for their paper-thin petals and whimsical charm. They are a favorite for their versatility and bright, cheery colors that seem to signal the official end of winter.
If we look back even further to 2024, the honor went to another one of my personal favorites, the stunning Peony. This is a flower that stays a staple in my home no matter what year it is.
I adore the scent of peonies and how beautifully they open up into such full, beautiful blooms.
Stunning Mother’s Day Arrangements
Because delphiniums symbolize protection and an open heart, they are a thoughtful choice for Mother’s Day. I’m sharing photos of a few arrangements from 1-800-Flowers that I am absolutely eyeing for my own gift-giving this year:
- Cerulean Dreams™: Perfect for the true blue-lovers (like my mom!), this one is a peaceful, stunning display that highlights the 2026 Flower of the Year beautifully. I love the special touch of the green leaves inside the vase.
- Delphinium Garden™: This is a lovely, gathering-style bouquet that feels like you just stepped out into a spring field.
- Pink and White Peony Bouquet: I also had to share this one for those who still love the 2024 favorite as much as I do. It’s classic, feminine, and always a hit for Mother’s Day.
Sharing these favorite blooms with you all reminds me that flowers are never “just flowers”. They are the threads that connect our generations. Whether it’s the true blue of a delphinium, the whimsical ranunculus, or gorgeous peonies, there is so much love found in a bloom.
Until next time,
-Libbie
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