Fluff/vent: But the flowers I gave you were so colorful.

Give him a list with pictures.

Each season, go to the grocery store or wherever and take pics. Show him what you like and how to identify fresh flowers. Have him take pics and create a flower album on his phone.

I think it is sweet that he tries.

I would try leading by example by picking up smaller bouquets to have around the house for no reason other than being pretty. Maybe he’ll figure it out. Otherwise, I would just let him pick what he picks. They don’t last forever so I don’t think it’s something that really needs to be corrected.

My ex fiancé insisted on buying me a dozen long stemmed roses for various occasions. While I love roses, I only love the ones in my yard that have a strong rose fragrance. I also am a very practical person and hate to see the money wasted on something that doesn’t last too long. And boy did he complain about the increasing cost. I would tell him time after time, especially when he complained at the price of them, that he could get out a lot cheaper if he would switch to carnations, which I enjoy because they smell so nice. For some reason, he felt it had to be roses because that’s what men bought. My preference didn’t matter.

We had a similar discussion when he insisted on a diamond engagement ring. I didn’t want a diamond. My mother had a pearl, my sister a sapphire, my other sister a cubic zirconia, and I had a diamond in my first marriage. I told him that I was the only divorce, so I didn’t want another diamond. He again insisted. I mean, it was a beautiful ring, but I’m just nontraditional in some ways. When I broke off the engagement and he tried to sell the ring, he complained that the value had dropped enormously. Probably should have listened to me!

I would thank your husband profusely for the flowers, but the next time you are out anywhere where there are flowers like the grocery store or even Home Depot, wander by the flowers and point out what you like. I’d even tell him that while the others were nice, you love this kind more. And maybe buy yourself some sunflowers once in a while and be very obvious at how happy they make you.

I just tell my DH. “I really love peonies. During peony season, would you bring some home for me sometimes?”

I don’t make a statement about what he’s brought before-just ask for what I would like to have in the future. He’s more receptive that way because he doesn’t feel like I’m attacking his past choices.

I love peonies, too!  I think lilacs are my favorite, but peonies are a close second. I was so excited when Lidl had them earlier this summer. 

I sell bouquets from my garden from May-September. My husband knows I LOVE fresh flowers. But he also knows that I generally dislike the arrangements of common grocery store bouquets. He doesn’t get them for me, but sometimes others do. I thank them profusely for knowing how much I like flowers. 🌼

THIS! I have bought myself some small arrangements from a local flower truck that sets up at different events. He has picked up on what I like from that! Things have greatly improved. I'm one of those who DOESN'T want flowers on Valentine's Day, etc. I'd rather have them during less expensive, more spontaneous occasions.

Maybe it would help to change your thoughts from dyed, unnatural, and wilted to "My husband loves me so much and shows it by bringing me flowers". It's a fleeting gift, and maybe you'd enjoy them more if you focused on his intent.

Married for 32 years and I have received bouquets of flowers only a very few times (and usually because some other female like sister or mom has helped!). Hubby always buys potted plants (mums, etc.) because "you like to garden". Ummmm..... After hinting strongly in the early years that I'd LOVE a pretty bouquet sometimes, I've just given up. He has so many other redeeming qualities that I just look beyond his sucky flower-giving ability...

Oh, and now that we are empty nesters with our daughters off the payroll, I routinely buy my OWN bouquets!

I would not say anything about his past choices unless your DH has a very, very thick skin. Men are really sensitive to that kind of thing. Thank him nicely and with a kiss for his sweet gesture. Pick yourself up some flowers you do like once in a while. Or if he's open to receiving a bouquet from you (I know some guys aren't) give him a bouquet of something you like.

I told my husband that I loved the smell of carnations and fresh roses from the garden.
I said to please not spend money on high dollar roses or non-natural flowers.

He surprises me with tulips and daffodils in the spring (he knows they're my favorites) and then he'll grab a bouquet if he's in Costco for fun.

But we did have the conversation about it way back when LOL

I buy my own regularly.

The times my hubby bought flowers for me he knew to go to my friend who is a florist!

I just told Dh that gladiolus were my favorite flower. Maybe it is because that is an uncommon choice, but he remembered. What he did with the information surprised me. He bought bulbs - over 100 of them! His intention was to plant them for me but he ended up working 70+ hour weeks and I did most of the planting that year. Years later we are still enjoying glads, planting more new ones as some die off. He still keeps his eye out for bulbs. The ones he bought last year at Aldi of all places are some of the prettiest we have ever had.

So, because of this thread, I just picked up flowers for myself at Trader Joe’s while grocery shopping. I have a gorgeous bouquet of white and lavender stock and tiny pink carnations. It smells heavenly! Dh is out of town until Monday, so it was a perfect opportunity.