Graduation (Laurea) Flowers in Bologna 2026

A degree defence (laurea) in Bologna is an event on the scale of a small festival. The University of Bologna is the oldest in the world (founded in 1088), and its graduation traditions are especially alive: a freshly minted graduate is crowned with a laurel wreath, friends unfurl a humorous poster-papiro, sing the famous song, and then it all continues over a feast in the trattorias of the centre. And flowers, of course, are an essential part of the day.

If a loved one, friend or your child is graduating in Bologna and you want to congratulate them with flowers, this guide is for you. We'll cover the local traditions, which bouquet to give a male and a female graduate, where and when to deliver, and how to arrange it all even from another country. YUCCA Flowers delivers fresh bouquets across all of Bologna with a photo before hand-over.

Want to skip ahead — open the Bologna flower catalogue or message us on WhatsApp.

Laurea Traditions in Bologna: What to Know

To get into the spirit of the day, it helps to understand the local customs:

The laurel wreath (corona d'alloro). The main symbol of graduation in Italy. A freshly minted doctor (dottore/dottoressa) is crowned with a laurel wreath right after the defence. A bouquet of flowers is given as a complement to this moment.
The colour red. The University of Bologna is associated with a burgundy-red palette, so red and burgundy bouquets are especially fitting and symbolic here.
The papiro and the song. Friends prepare a large humorous poster (papiro) with a caricature and stories about the graduate, and then everyone sings the traditional student song. The mood is cheerful and warm.
Where it all happens. Ceremonies take place in the university buildings (via Zamboni and around), and the celebration spills over to Piazza Maggiore, the Neptune Fountain and the trattorias of the centre.

Knowing this, it's easy to choose a bouquet that fits the scene of the day perfectly.

Which Bouquet to Give for a Laurea

For a male graduate

Guys at a defence appreciate simplicity and a sense of status. Good choices:

A large mono-bouquet of red or burgundy roses — echoing the university's colours.
A restrained masculine arrangement in a dark or green palette, echoing the laurel.
A restrained but noticeable bouquet — without too much "romance."

For a female graduate

For women, more expressive and festive bouquets work well:

Red or burgundy roses — a classic and the symbol of Bologna.
A bright festive mix: roses, lisianthus, gerberas, peonies (in season).
A large signature arrangement or a big bouquet — a photo with it will crown the day.

A universal option

If in doubt, a large bouquet of red or burgundy roses suits anyone and fits the local tradition. You can play up the number of roses symbolically (see the guide "How Many Roses to Give").

Here are bouquets suited to a graduation with delivery in Bologna:

The Bologna catalogue has more options for any budget: from compact bouquets to premium baskets.

Where and When to Deliver the Bouquet

To the university building (via Zamboni and around) — a bouquet for the moment after the defence, to present to the graduate right as they leave the ceremony.
To Piazza Maggiore or the Neptune Fountain — if the celebration continues in the centre.
To a restaurant or trattoria — for the feast after the defence; we coordinate hand-over with the restaurant.
To an apartment or hotel — if you'd like the bouquet to await the graduate at home or in their room.

A note on timing: defences usually take place in set sessions during the day, and the exact hour is known in advance. Tell us the approximate finish time and we'll time the delivery for when the graduate steps out with the wreath on their head. Bologna's historic core is a pedestrian zone (ZTL), so a precise address and a recipient contact will help the courier find the entrance quickly.

How to Order From Another Country

Parents and loved ones are often in another country while the student graduates in Bologna. With us that's no problem:

Choose a bouquet in the catalogue or describe your idea on WhatsApp.
Give the address (building, restaurant, apartment), the graduate's name and phone, the date and approximate time.
Add a congratulatory card message — in Russian, English or Italian.
Pay by card from any country, cryptocurrency or transfer. Prices in euros.
Get a photo of the bouquet before delivery and confirmation after hand-over.

If it's a surprise, we won't reveal the sender and will arrange everything discreetly.

How Much It Costs

Approximately (in euros):

Compact bouquets — from around €79.
Medium festive bouquets and arrangements — roughly €250–320.
Large bouquets, 101 roses and premium baskets — from €520 upwards.

We show the final amount before payment, with no hidden mark-ups. Delivery within Bologna is confirmed when you order.

FAQ — Graduation Flowers in Bologna

Which flowers are customary for a laurea in Italy? The classic is a large bouquet of red or burgundy roses, echoing the colours of the University of Bologna. The bouquet is given as a complement to the laurel wreath the graduate is crowned with.

Can you deliver a bouquet right to the university after the defence? Yes. We bring the bouquet to the building (via Zamboni and around) for the moment after the ceremony — tell us the approximate finish time and we'll time the delivery.

What to give a male graduate, and what a female one? For a guy — a restrained large mono-bouquet of red/burgundy roses or a formal arrangement; for a woman — a bright festive bouquet or a large signature arrangement.

How do I order graduation flowers from another country? Choose a bouquet in the catalogue or message us on WhatsApp, give the address and time, and pay by card, crypto or transfer. We send a photo before delivery.

How many roses should I give for a degree defence? There are no strict rules, but a large bouquet looks festive. You can play up the number symbolically — see the guide "How Many Roses to Give".

Which currency are prices in? Prices are in euros (€). We accept cards from banks in any country, cryptocurrency and transfers — you can order from anywhere in the world.

How to Make the Graduation Congratulation Special

A few ideas to make the moment memorable:

Play up the university's colours. Red and burgundy roses echo the symbolism of the University of Bologna and the laurel wreath — it looks cohesive and "on theme."
Add a card with a personal message. A couple of warm words or an inside joke are valued more than a lavish bouquet. We'll write it by hand in the language you need.
Complement the bouquet. On request we'll add chocolate, balloons or a bottle of sparkling wine for the feast after the defence.
Catch the moment. The most striking shot is when the graduate steps out with the wreath on their head. We'll time the delivery so the bouquet is in their hands at exactly that moment.
Don't forget the parents. On this day people often give a small bouquet to the graduate's mother too — a thank-you for the support along the road to the degree.

Where to Next

Open the Bologna flower catalogue and choose a graduation bouquet.
Useful: "How to Order Flowers in Bologna" — delivery zones, timings and specifics.
More about the city — "Flowers in Bologna: the UNESCO porticoes and the La Grassa cuisine".
A question about the defence time or address? Message us on WhatsApp — we'll help arrange everything and deliver the bouquet right on cue.

YUCCA Flowers — graduation (laurea) flower delivery in Bologna: bouquets to the university building, Piazza Maggiore and the trattorias of the centre. Red and burgundy roses, festive arrangements, a photo before delivery, prices in euros, payment from any country.