The ‘language of flowers’ or ‘Floriography’ dates right back to the Victorian times. In fact, the first dictionary of floriography appeared in 1819, when ‘Madame Charlotte de la Tour’ (real name – Louise Cortambert) wrote Le Langage des Fleurs. This secret language of blooms acted as a code to communicate the meanings of numerous flowers and flower arrangements, a little like the texting acronyms of the past.
The history of gifting blooms
Victorians commonly swapped small ‘talking bouquets’, also known as ‘nosegays’ or ‘tussie-mussies’, which were worn or carried as fashion accessories. When meanings were attached, these blooms were seen as a different way of communicating and of making one’s feelings known.
Today, gifting flowers to friends and family is still extremely common and many will look into the meanings of the blooms they gift before sending them. This will ensure they match the recipient’s tastes and convey a certain message, such as ’happy anniversary’, ‘I love you’ or ‘congratulations’.
or example, roses act as a romantic gesture, whilst Alstroemeria blooms are a good option to choose if you want to wish someone good fortune. Gardenia are a great bloom to gift someone you wish to take on a date or are fond of, whilst peonies are a sign of a happy marriage and are therefore popular in bouquets gifted on anniversaries.
Below you’ll find an alphabetic list of almost every bloom available and its true meaning, which will certainly come in handy the next time you’re thinking of sending a bouquet of flowers or a plant to a loved one…
A FLOWERS
Agapanthus | Secret love |
Agrimony | Thankfulness |
Allium | Unity, Humility, Patience |
Alstroemeria | Devotion, Wealth, Prosperity, Fortune |
Alyssum | Worth beyond beauty |
Ambrosia | Pride, Timidity, Splendid beauty |
Anemone | Forsaken, Expectations |
Apple Blossom | Better things to come, Good fortune |
Arbutus | I only love you |
Asparagus Fern | Amazement, Fascination |
Asphodel | My regrets follow you to the grave |
Aster | Wisdom, Devotion |
Azalea | Be Safe, Take Care of Yourself, Temperance, Fragile |
B FLOWERS
Baby’s Breath | Innocence, Pure of Heart |
Begonia | A fanciful nature |
Bells of Ireland | Good luck |
Bird of Paradise | Faithfulness, Love, Thoughtfulness |
Bluebell | Humility |
Buttercup | Childishness |
C FLOWERS
Calla Lily | Magnificent Beauty |
Carnation | Woman love |
Chrysanthemum | You’re a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness |
Clematis | Cleverness, Ingenuity |
Cornflower | Delicacy |
Crocus | Cheerfulness |
D FLOWERS
Daffodil | Respect, Rebirth |
Daisy | Gentleness, Innocence, Purity |
Dandelion | Happiness |
Delphinium | Dignity |
Dahlia | Commitment |
E FLOWERS
Eustoma (Lisianthus) | Appreciation |
F FLOWERS
Forget Me Not | True love, Faithfulness |
Forsythia | Anticipation, Purity |
Freesia | Trust, Friendship, Purity |
G FLOWERS
Gardenia | Sweet love, You’re Lovely |
Geranium | Foolishness |
Gerbera | Innocence, Purity, and Cheerfulness |
Gladiolus | Generosity, Strength and Moral Integrity |
Gypsophila | Innocence, Pure of Heart |
H FLOWERS
Heather | Good luck, Wishes Come True (White), Admiration (Lavender) |
Holly | Happy Home Life |
Honeysuckle | Generosity, I Love You |
Hyacinth | Playful, Sincerity |
Hydrangea | Gratitude, Boastfulness, Heartlessness |
I FLOWERS
Iris | Faith, Passion, Wisdom, Friendship |
Ivy | Fidelity, Wedded Love, Affection, Friendship, Life and Immortality |
J FLOWERS
Jasmine | Beauty, Sensuality, Modesty, Grace, Elegance |
Juniper | Healing, Protection |
K FLOWERS
King Protea | Change and Transformation |
L FLOWERS
Larkspur | An open heart |
Lavender | Devotion, Loyalty, Love, |
Lilac | Purity and Innocence, First Emotion of Love , Spirituality (purple) |
Lily of the Valley | Return of Happiness |
Lily | Rebirth and Motherhood |
Lily (Orange) | Money, Wealth |
Lily (White) | Purity |
Lotus | Estranged love |
M FLOWERS
Magnolia | Nobility |
Mistletoe | Kiss me, Affection, Difficulties |
Morning Glory | Affection |
Mum | Hope |
N FLOWERS
Narcissus | Egotism, Formality |
O FLOWERS
Olive Branch | Peace |
Orange Blossom | Innocence, Purity, Eternal Love, Marriage |
Orchid | Love, Beauty |
P FLOWERS
Palm Leaves | Success |
Passion Flower | Faith |
Peony | Happy marriage, Prosperity, Bashfulness |
Petunia | Our souls are united |
Poppy | Pleasure, Wealth, Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
Primrose | I can’t live without you |
Pussy Willow | Motherhood |
Q FLOWERS
Queen Anne’s Lace | Sanctuary |
R FLOWERS
Ranunculus | Radiant, Charming |
Rose(Red) | Love, I love you, Desire |
Rose (Pink) | Perfect happiness |
Rose (Coral) | Desire |
Rose (Yellow) | Friendship, Joy, Gladness |
Rose (Orange) | Fascination |
Rose (Lavender) | Enchantment |
Rose (White) | Charm, Innocence |
Rosebud | Beauty, Youth |
S FLOWERS
Snapdragon | Presumption, Deception, Gracious Lady |
Solidago | Success |
Star of Bethlehem | Atonement, Reconciliation |
Stephanotis | Marital Happiness |
Statice | Remembrance |
Sunflower | False Riches, Pride |
Sweet Pea | Blissful pleasure, Goodbye, Departure |
T FLOWERS
Tiger Lily | Prosperity |
Trumpet Flower | Separation |
Tuberose | Dangerous Pleasure |
Tulip | Love and Passion |
V FLOWERS
Veronica | Fidelity |
Violet | Faithfulness, Modesty |
W FLOWERS
Water Lily | Purity of heart |
Wax Flower | Riches |
Wisteria | Welcome |
Y FLOWERS
Yarrow | Healing |
Z FLOWERS
Zinnia | Sincerity, Symbol of love |
Zinnia (Yellow) | Daily remembrance |
Zinnia (Magenta) | Lasting affection |
Zinnia (White) | Goodness |
A time for secret messages?
Whether you’re sending blooms to a loved one, a colleague or a friend, you now have no excuse not to send a bouquet complete with a secret meaning or message! This will make the gift that little more personal, notwithstanding whether the recipient knows what it means or not…
You can also rely on a number of online florists to provide the same and next day delivery services, meaning you can send your blooms whenever you want (and at the last minute if you’ve forgotten someone’s special occasion)!