Flowers And Their Meanings

The language of flowers was a coded way of communicating in the Victorian-Era. It allowed individuals to express feeling through sending floral arrangements. This is a condensed version of the list compiled by the Horticultural department at Texas A&M University. Flowers with particular anniversary messages are bolded.

Acacia (Blossom) – Beauty in Retirement
Acorn Nordic – Symbol of Life and Immortality
Ambrosia – Your Love is Reciprocated
Amaryllis – Pride, Pastoral Poetry
Arbutus – Thee Only Do I Love
Aster – Symbol of Love, Daintiness
Azalea – Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion

Bachelor Button – Single Blessedness
Bells of Ireland – Good Luck
Bittersweet – Truth
Bluebell – Humility

Cactus – Endurance
Camellia (Pink) – Longing For You
Camellia (Red) – You’re a Flame in My Heart
Camellia (White) – You’re Adorable
Carnation (Pink) – I’ll Never Forget You
Carnation (Red) – My Heart Aches For You, Admiration
Carnation (Purple) – Capriciousness
Carnation (Solid Color) – Yes
Carnation (Striped) – No, Refusal, Sorry I Can’t Be with You, Wish I Could Be with You
Carnation (White) – Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman’s Good Luck Gift
Cattail – Peace, Prosperity
Chrysanthemum (Red) – I Love You
Chrysanthemum (White) – Truth
Chrysanthemum (Yellow) – Slighted Love
Coreopsis – Always Cheerful
Crocus – Cheerfulness

Daffodil – Regard, Unequalled Love, You’re the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining When I’m with You
Daisy – Innocence, Loyal Love, I’ll Never Tell, Purity
Dandelion – Faithfulness, Happiness

Fern – Magic, Fascination, Confidence and Shelter
Fern (Maidenhair) – Secret Bond of Love
Fir – Time
Flax – Domestic Symbol
Forget-Me-Not – True Love, Memories
Forsythia – Anticipation

Gardenia – You’re Lovely, Secret Love
Gladioli – Give Me a Break, I’m Really Sincere, Flower of the Gladiators
Gloxinia – Love at First Sight

Heather (Lavender) – Admiration, Solitude
Heather (White) – Protection, Wishes Will Come True
Holly – Defense, Domestic Happiness
Hyacinth (Blue) – Constancy
Hyacinth (Red or Pink) – Play
Hyacinth (White) – Loveliness, I’ll Pray for You

Iris – Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means so Much to Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and
Valor, My Compliments
Ivy – Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
Ivy (Sprig of White Tendrils) – Anxious to Please, Affection

Jonquil – Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned

Lily (White) – Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It’s Heavenly to be with You
Lily (Yellow) – I’m Walking on Air, False and Gay
Lily (Calla) – Beauty
Lily (Eucharis) – Maiden Charms
Lily of the Valley – Sweetness, You’ve Made My Life Complete

Mistletoe – Kiss Me, Affection, To Surmount Difficulties
Moss – Maternal Love, Charity
Myrtle – Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage

Narcissus – Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are

Orange Blossom – Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness
Orchid – Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children

Peony – Happy Life, Happy Marriage
Petunia – Your Presence Soothes Me
Poppy (Red) – Pleasure
Poppy (Yellow) – Wealth, Success
Primrose – I Can’t Live without You

Rose (Bridal) – Happy Love
Rose (Hibiscus) – Delicate Beauty
Rose (Leaf) – You May Hope
Rose (Pink) – Perfect Happiness
Rose (Red) – Love, I Love You
Rose (Tea) – I’ll Remember Always
Rose (Thornless) – Love at First Sight
Rose (White) – You’re Heavenly
Rose (White and Red Mixed) – Unity
Rosebud – Beauty and You, A Heart Innocent of Love
Rosebud (Red) – Pure and Lovely
Roses (Bouquet of Mature Blooms) – Gratitude
Roses (Single Full Bloom) – I Love You, I Still Love You

Smilax – Loveliness
Stephanotis – Happiness in Marriage, Desire to Travel
Stock – Bonds of Affection, You’ll Always Be Beautiful to Me
Sweetpea – Good-bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely Time

Tulip (General) – Perfect Lover, Fame, Flower Emblem of Holland
Tulip (Red) – Believe Me, Declaration of Love
Tulip (Variegated) – Beautiful Eyes
Tulip (Yellow) – There’s Sunshine in Your Smile

Violet (Blue) – Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I’ll Always Be There
Viscaria – Will You Dance with Me?

Zinnia (Magenta) – Lasting Affection
Zinnia (Scarlet) – Constancy
Zinnia (White) – Goodness
Zinnia (Yellow) – Daily Remembrance