Let's face it, as far as most guys are concerned, flowers are flowers, and as long as you end up getting her a pretty bouquet that makes her happy, you've accomplished your mission. But what if you could take things up a notch and really surprise her with a well-thought floral bouquet containing flowers with the perfect symbolism and meaning to represent your feelings and the relationship? Well, we've created an easy-to-follow gift guide to buying her flowers that provides you with everything you need to know to select the most appropriate floral arrangement this Valentine's Day. This is bound to score you extra points - trust us!

Important Things to Remember:

-Consider the Relationship. Believe it or not, the level of your relationship should be an important factor when selecting flowers for your girlfriend or wife this Valentine's Day. With all of the symbolism behind flowers and their colors, it can be easier than you realize to accidentally send the wrong message.

-Use your Own Judgment. If we're recommending pink roses, or purple orchids for your relationship level but you know her favorite color is yellow and she adores yellow flowers, stick with a yellow bouquet that has flowers that symbolize what she means to you. This is only a guide after all; you know your girlfriend better than we do (hopefully).

-Planning and Timing. If you're ordering her a floral arrangement online, give yourself a few days slack so you don't end up with any unfortunate delays. Although most online florists are wonderful at last minute deliveries, it's far better to give her a beautiful Valentine's Day bouquet a day or two early than being empty-handed with an awful explanation of why you don't have one for her.

Important Things to Avoid:

-Unromantic Floral Arrangements. Flowers aren't always about romance, and the last thing you want to do is buy her an arrangement that looks like it should be given to your mom, or worse - your grandma. Anything in picnic-like baskets, ceramic pots, tea cups or cute little jugs are generally a no no.

-Don't Be Cheap. This doesn't mean that you have to spend a small fortune on a massive floral arrangement this Valentine's Day, but grabbing the last half-dead bouquet at the gas station on your way to pick her up doesn't cut it.

-Don't Underestimate Arrival. If you've ordered through an online florist, be sure the arrangement will be delivered in person by a human. Some floral bouquets can be shipped via FedEx or UPS and will arrive in a box, leaving her to arrange the flowers herself (not very romantic). In addition to ensuring they arrive in pristine condition, try having them delivered to her place of work. Most women love the extra attention (and making Diane in accounting jealous) and it scores you extra points by simply changing the delivery address. Just make sure you know her work address exactly - or that nice idea could go badly wrong.

When in Doubt:

No matter what level of your relationship, the following bouquets strike the perfect balance of charm, allure, and romance (without being too desperate or breaking the bank!)

Red Tulips in a Glass Vase - The red is perfect for Valentine's Day and still keeps it romantic, but the tulips make this arrangement less traditional and a lot more modern, making it the perfect bouquet for almost any stage of your relationship. Tip: If you're in a brand-new relationship, you can always take the intensity of the arrangement down a notch or two buy requesting your florist use less flowers (ie. half a dozen or a dozen).

Pink Roses and Alstroemeria Lilies - The pink roses will keep this bouquet romantic without being too traditional or overpowering, and the pink alstroemeria lilies add a touch of exotic beauty and uniqueness to offset the classic roses, without being too expensive. A glass vase is always a sure bet and will add a modern touch to this arrangement. This would be the perfect arrangement for any lucky lady.

Mix of Fresh Flowers - Shades of pink, lavender, or coral roses, lilies, carnations, and maybe even orchids (if you're willing to drop a bit more money) would create a gorgeous and colorful bouquet. Look for floral arrangements that contain 3 or 4 different types of flowers - sticking to mostly pinks and purples, as these are generally romantic colors that go well together without being too traditional. A bouquet like this is the perfect 'go-to' floral arrangement that would be sure to delight her - no matter how particular she is.