The Secret Meaning Of Flowers
Fabian Wesner

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)!