Giving your mom, grandma, or wife a bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day is a time-honored tradition. A surprise bouquet is a sure-fire way to bring a smile to any mom's face. But how can you be sure the Mother's Day flowers you choose are the perfect gift for mom?

To get answers, we went straight to one of the world's biggest names in roses and tulips, ProFlowers. Kate Law, director of merchandising and product design, chatted with us about all things flowers, from why moms love them to how it takes months of hard work to design a single bouquet. Plus, she gave us (and you) tips on how to make these classic Mother's Day gifts even better. 

Why Moms Love Flowers

Kate firmly believes that all moms love flowers. It's not that they all appreciate the beauty of flowers, but that "they are so grateful for anything you want to send them," she says. Plus, "they don't necessarily want to spend the money on them themselves, but really appreciate getting them." So you can't go wrong picking out a bouquet.

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How the Pros Design Mother's Day Bouquets

They analyze trends.

ProFlowers florists aren't just throwing some flowers into a vase the day before Mother's Day. "We are actually designing a year out," Kate explains. She and her colleagues start by analyzing the latest trends in fashion, home decor, and other areas of culture. What are they looking for? "Colors, textures, and prints—that kind of thing." Then, they take these themes and make trend boards.

Tip: Your florists know what looks good. They've mastered the classics, but they're also up-to-date on the latest Mother's Day trends. Lean on them if you're not sure which route to go.

They make sample bouquets and test them for freshness.

ProFlowers works directly with farms in the United States and South America, and these farms send in dozens and dozens of flower samples. The design team then arranges several sample bouquets and everyone weighs in. After lots of discussion (and ensuring all elements can stay fresh for at least seven days after delivery), Kate and the team are ready to reveal their final Mother's Day flower arrangements.

Tip: To help bouquets last even longer, ProFlowers recommends cutting the stems at an angle under running water, removing leaves that fall below the water line to prevent bacteria growth, and filling the vase with room temperature water and one packet of flower food.

Pay $15 to get $30 worth of flowers from ProFlowers.

How to Choose the Perfect Bouquet for Your Mom

ProFlowers and other top florists make sure that all of their arrangements are great Mother's Day gifts. But that doesn't mean you should just click and order the first bouquet you see. "You want to show your mother you put a little thought into the flowers you're sending," Kate says.

Does your mom have a favorite flower? A favorite color? What flowers were in her wedding bouquet? (You will win all of the points if you replicate that!) Other things to consider: How does she dress? What about her house's decor? Or maybe you can just stop by and write down all the flowers and plants in her yard.

Tip: Always keep your mom's personality in mind. Monochromatic bouquets are a great choice for modern moms, whereas more casual moms love cheerful mixed bouquets. 

Why It's Fine If You Have Absolutely No Clue What She Likes

Luckily for you, there are some tried-and-true flowers that pretty much all moms love. Roses are a safe bet, so are tulips. "I think tulips are the epitome of spring and Mother's Day," Kate says. "They mean perfect love, and that's so fitting for a mother. Your mom's going to love you no matter what." Her own mom especially loves them.

Tip: When in doubt, go with tulips or roses. As Kate says: "If you really don't know, if you're totally clueless, a mixed rose bouquet is always a safe bet." 

How to Win Extra Brownie Points

Kate notes that it's always a good idea to go above and beyond for Mother's Day, especially if it's a new mom's first. She has lots of tips for making your Mother's Day bouquets even better.

"If you live close to your mom, you could always have your flowers delivered to your house—and then hand deliver them with a handwritten note." Kate also recommends specific options from ProFlowers, including the Perfectly Paired Collections, which combine flowers with dipped strawberries and other treats. ProFlowers offers digital greeting cards, too. These automatically send personalized photos and video messages to Mom's email as soon as her flowers arrive.

If you're feeling extra creative, consider cutting some fresh flowers from your own garden and incorporating them into the arrangement. Kate recommends roses, tulips, and blooming lilac branches. "Keep it simple," she advises. "Use the same colors that are already in the bouquet." Also, be sure to avoid daffodils, which can kill other flowers in the arrangement. (A bouquet with only daffodils is OK, though.)

Tip: Do something special to turn your bouquet into a one-of-a-kind gift—whether that's handwriting a note or adding some flowers from your garden.