Share details about the personality of the recipient with your florist and he or she will customize your arrangement and ensure the recipient's delight. In Victorian times flowers had assigned meanings, but even then there was much discrepancy. It was up to the lady receiving the flowers to decipher their meaning. Today there are so many flowers and colors that this tradition no longer applies. Red roses are traditionally associated with romantic love, but this is not a universal rule by any means.
Flowers have a much broader vocabulary.
Simply ask your florist what flowers are in season and the best value. Seasonal varieties are often less expensive when in great abundance. For example, roses are a super value in summer because it is their peak growing season. Be sure you know the name of the flower, and if there's a certain color you'll need. Call your florist one to two weeks in advance if possible, as he or she may have to special order the flowers.