Flowers have been used to communicated feelings for a long time. In victorian culture, this was a way to communicate feelings in a way that was more discrete and subtle. Below you will find a list of many flowers and their meanings.
Abor Vitae: Unchanging Friendship
Acacia Blossom: Friendship, Concealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste Love
Acacia (Rose or White): Elegance, Friendship
Aconite: Beware
Acorn: Nordic Symbol of Life & immortality
Agapanthus: Secret Love
Agrimony: Thankfulness
Allium: Unity, Humility, Patience
Almond Blossom: Hope
Alstromeria: Devotion, Wealth, Prosperity, Fortune
Alyssum: Worth Beyond Beauty
Amaryllis: Pride, Timidity, Splendid Beauty
Ambrosia: Your Love is Reciprocated
Anemone: Forsaken, Expectations
Apple Blossom: Better Things To Come, Good Fortune
Arbutus: Thee Only do I love
Arum: Audour
Aster: Symbol of Love, Daintiness
Aster (China): Fidelity, Variety, I Will Think of Thee
Azalea: Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood
Baby’s Breath: Innocence, Pure of Heart
Bachelor Button: Single Blessedness, Hope
Balloon Flower: Endless Love, Honesty
Balm: Sympathy
Balsam: Ardent Love
Barberry: Bad Temper
Begonia: A Fanciful Nature
Bells of Ireland: Good Luck
Bird of Paradise: Symbol of Faithfulness
Bittersweet: Truth
Black Bryont/Lady’s Seal: Be My Support
Bluebell: Humility, Constancy
Bouquet of Withered Flowers: Rejected Love
Bouvadia: Enthusiasm
Broom: Humility, Neatness
Buck Bean: Calm Repose
Burdock: Touch Me Not
Buttercup: Childishness
Cactus: Endurance
Calendula: Considered Sacred
Calla Lily: Magnificent Beauty
Calycanthus: Benevolence
Camellia: Gratitude, Admiration, Perfection, Good Luck, Gift to Man
Camellia Pink: Longing for you
Camellia Red: You’re a flame in my Heart, Unpretending Excellence
Camellia White: You’re Adorable, perfected loveliness
Candy Tuft: Indifference
Canterberry Bell: Gratitude
Cardinal Flower: Distinction
Carnation (General): Fascination, Divine Love
Carnation Pink: I’ll Never Forget You
Carnation Red: My Heart Aches for You, Admiration, Alas poor heart
Carnation Purple: Capriciousness
Carnation (Solid Color): Yes
Carnation (Striped Color): No, Refusal, Sorry I can’t be with You, Wish I could be with You
Carnation White: Sweet & Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman’s Good Luck Gift
Carnation Yellow: You have Disappointed Me, Rejection
Catchfly (Red): Youthful Love, I Fall Victim
Cattail: Peace, Prosperity
Cedar: I Live But For Thee, Think of Me
Celandine: Future Joy
Chamolmile: Energy in Action
Cherry Blossom (Single): Education
Chickweed: I Cling to Thee
Chicory: Frugality
Chrysanthemum (General): You are a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness & Rest
Chrysanthemum Red: I Love You
Chrysanthemum White: Truth
Chrysanthemum Yellow: Sighted Love
Cinquefoil: Beloved Child
Clematis: Artifice (ingenuity)
Clover Four Leaf: Be Mine
Clover Red: Industry
Clover White: Think of Me
Colchicum: My Best Days Fled
Columbine (Red): Be Mine
Columbine (White): Folly
Columbine (Purple): Resolved To Win
Compass Flower: Faith
Corchorus: Impatience of Happiness
Coreopsis: Always Cheerful
Cornflower: Delicacy, Refinement
Cornilla: Success to you
Cowslip: Rusticity, Winning Grace, Healing Youth, Pensiveness
Coxcomb: Foppery, Unfading love
Crocus: Cheerfulness
Cyclamen: Resignation and Good-bye
Daffodil: Regard, Unrequited Love, You’re the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining When I’m with You
Dahlia: Dignity and Elegance
Daisy: Innocence, Loyal Love, I’ll Never Tell, Purity
Dandelion: Faithfulness, Happieness, Love’s Oracle
Dead Leaves: Sadness
Deadly Nightshade: Falsehood
Delphinium: Flight of Fancy
Dill: Lust
Diosma: You Simple Elegance Charms Me
Dog Rose: Pleasure & Pain
Dogwood: Durability
Dogwood (Flowering): Am I Indifferent To You?
Dracena: Inner Power
Dragon Root: Ardour
Edleweiss: Daring, Courage, Noble Purity
Eglantine: Poetry, I Wound to Heal
Elder Flower: Zeal
Endine: Frugality
Epigaea (Mayflower): Budding
Eremurus: Endurance
Eupatorium: Delay
Euphorbia: Persistence
Everlasting: Never Ceasing Memory
Fern: Magic, Fascination, Confidence & Shelter
Fern Maidenhair: Secret Bond of Love
Fern Royal: Reverie
Filbert: Reconciliation
Fir: Time
Flax: Domestic Symbol
Fleur De Lis: Flame, Burning
Flora’s Bell: Without Pretension
Flowering Almond: Hope
Flowering Reed: Confide in Heaven
Forget-Me-Not: True Love, Memories
Forsythia: Anticipation
Foxglove: Stateliness, YOuth
Foxtail Grass: Sporting
Freesia: Innocence, Trust Friendship
Fushia (Scarlet): Confiding Love, Taste
Furze: Love for All Occasions
Galax: Encouragement
Gardenia: You’re Lovely, Secret Love
Gentian (Fringe): Intrinsic Worth, I Look to Heaven, Autumn
Gentian (Closed): Sweet be they dreams
Garlic: Courage, Strength
Geranium (Apple): Stupidity, Folly
Geranium (Ivy): You hand for the next dance
Geranium (Lemon): Unexpected meeting
Geranium (Nutmeg): I expect a meeting
Geranium (Oak-leaved): True Friendship, Lady
Geranium (Pencilled): Ingenuity
Geranium (Rose): Preference
Geranium (Scarlet): Consolation
Geranium (Silver-Leaf): Recall
Gerbera: Innocence
Gladiolus: I’m Really Sincere, Flower of the Gladiators
Globe (Amaranth): Unfading Love
Gloxinia: Love at First Sight
Golden Rod: Be Cautious
Gooseberry: Anticipation
Goosefoot: Goodness
Gorse: Endearing Affection
Grass: Submission
Gypsophilia: Fertility
Harebell: Humility, Grief
Hawthorn: Hope
Heartese Pansy: Think of me
Heather Lavender: Admiration, Solitude
Heather White: Protection, Wishes will Come True
Heliotrope: Devotion, Faithfulness
Hellebore: Scandal
Henbane: For Males to Attract Love from Females
Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty
Holly: Defense, Domestic Happiness
Hollyhock: Fruitfulness
Hollyhock (white): Female Ambition
Honey Flower: Secret Love, Sweet
Honeysuckle: Generosity
Hoya (Wax Plant): Sculpture
Huckleberry: Faith, Simple Pleasures
Hyacinth General: Games & Sports, Rashness, Flower Dedicated to Apollo
Hyacinth Blue: Constancy
Hyacinth Purple: I am sorry, Please Forgive Me
Hyacinth White: Lovelieness, I’ll Pray for You
Hyacinth Red or Pink: Play
Hyacinth Yellow: Jealousy
Hydrangea: Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness
Indian Cress: Resignation
Ipomaca: I Attach Myself to You
Iris: Fluer-de-Lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means So Much To Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valour, My Compliments
Iris (Yellow): Passion
Iris (German): Flame
Ivy: Wedded Love, Fidelity, Affection
Ivy Sprig of White Tendrils: Anxious to Please, Affection
Japonica: Loveliness
Jasmine (white): Amiability
Jasmine (Yellow): Modesty, Grace, Elegance
Jasmine (Indian): Attachment
Jasmine (Spanish): Sensuality
Jerusalem Oak: Your Love is Reciprocated
Jonquil: Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire or Affection Returned
Juniper: Protection
Kennedia: Intellectual Beauty
King’s Cup: I wish I were Rich
Larkspur Pink: Fickleness
Lavender: Loyalty, Love, Devotion
Lemon Leaves: Everlasting Love
Lemon Blossom: Fidelity in LOve
Lilac (White): Youthful Innocence, Purity
Lilac (Purple): First Emotion of Love
Lily Calla: Beauty
Lily Day: Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mothers
Lily Eucharis: Maiden Charms
Lily Orange: Hatred
Lily Tiger: Wealth, Pride
Lily White: Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It’s Heavenly to Be with You
Lily Yellow: I’m Walking on Air, False and Gray
Lily of the Valley: Sweetness, Tears of the Virgin Mary, return to Happiness, Humility, You’ve Made My Life Complete
Linden Tree: Matrimony
Liverwort: Confidence
Longi Lily: Pure, Modest
Lotus Flower: Estranged Love
Love in a Mist: You Puzzle Me
Lucerne: Life
Lungwort: Thou Art My Life
Lupine: Imagination
Magnolia: Nobility
Marigold: Curelty, Grief Jealousy
Marjoram: Joy, Happiness
Meadow Saffron: My Best Days Are Past
Mezereon: Desire to Please
Mignonette: Your Qualities Surpass Your Charms, Health
Mimosa: Sensitivity
Mint: Virtue
Mistletoe: Kiss Me, Affection, To Surmount Difficulties, Sacred Plant of India, Magic Plant of the Druids
Monkshood: Beware, A Deadly Foe is Near
Morning Glory: Affection
Moss: Maternal Love, Charity
Motherwort: Secret Love
Mullein: Good Nature
Mum: Hope
Myrtle: Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage, Home, Duty
Narcissus: Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are
Nasturtium: Conquest, Victory in Battle
Nuts: Stupidity
Oleander: Caution
Olive Branch: Peace
Orange Blossom: Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness
Orange Mock: Deceit
Orchid: Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children
Orchid Cattleya: Mature Charm
Palm Leaves: Victory & Success
Pansy: Thoughtful Reflection, Merriment
Parsley: Useful Knowledge
Pasque Flower: Unpretentious, You Have No Claims
Passion Flower: Faith
Peach Blossom: I Am Your Captive
Pear Blossom: Affection
Peony: Happy Marriage, Prosperity, Bashfulness
Petunia: Resentment, Anger, Your Presence soothes me
Phlox: Our Souls are United
Pimpernel: Change
Pine: Hope, Joy
PInk (Mountain): You Are Aspiring
Poinsettia: Be of Good Cheer
Pomegranite Flower: Elegance
Poppy General: Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination
Poppy Red: Pleasure
Poppy White: Consolation
Poppy Yellow: Wealth Success
Primrose (Red): Unpatronized Merit
Primrose Evening: Inconstancy
Prince’s Feather: Unfading Love
Pussy Willow: Motherhood
Quaking Grass: Agitation
Queen’s Annes’ Lace: Haven
Ragged-Robin: Wit
Ranunculus: Radiant, Charming
Rhubarb: Advice
Rhododendron: Danger, Beware, I am Dangerous
Rose (Bridal): Happy Love
Rose (Burgundy): Unconscious Beauty
Rose (Christmas): Tranquilize My Anxiety, Anxiety
Rose (Coral): Desire
Rose (Damask): Persian Ambassador of Love
Rose (Dark Crimson): Mourning
Rose (Lavender): Enchantment
Rose (Leaf): You May Hope
Rose (Orange): Fascination
Rose (Peach): Immortality, Modesty
Rose (Pale Peach): Modesty
Rose (Pale Pink): Grace, Joy
Rose (Pink): Perfect Happiness
Rose (Dark Pink): Thankfulness
Rose (Red): Love, I Love You, Desire
Rose (Single Red): I Love You
Rose (Single Full Bloom): I Love You, I Still Love You
Rose (Tea): I’ll Remember, Always
Rose (Thornless): Love At First Sight
Rose (White): Charm, Innocence
Rose (White & Red together): Unity, Flower Emblem of England
Rose (Yellow): Joy, Friendship, Gladness
Roses (Assorted Colors): You’re Everything to Me
Rose of Sharon: Consumed by Love
Rosebud: Beauty & Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love
Rosebud (Moss): Confessions of Love
Rosebud (Red): Pure & Lovely
Rosebud (White): Girlhood
Roses Bouquet fo Full Bloom: Grattitude
Roses Garland or Crown Of: Reward or Merit, Crown Symbol of Superior Merit
Roses Musk Cluster: Charming
Rosemary: Remembrance
Rush: Docility
Shamrock: Light Heartedness
Smilax: Loveliness
Snapdragon: Deception, Gracious Lily
Snowball: Thoughts of Heaven
Snowdrop: Hope
Solidago: Success
Spanish Jasmine: Sensuality
Spearmint: Warm Sentiment
Spider Flower: Elope with Me
Star of Bethelem: Atonement, Reconciliation
Starwort: Welcome to A Stranger
Stephanotis: Happiness in Marriage, Desire to Travel
Stock: Bonds of Affection, Promptness, You’ll Always Be Beautiful to Me
Stonecrop: Tranquility
Straw Flower: Agreement
Straw (Broken): Broken Agreement
Sunflower (Tall): False Riches, Pride
Sunflower (Dwarf): Adoration, Pride
Sweet Pea: Blissful Pleasure, Good-bye, Departure
Sweet-Sultan: Felicity, Happienss
Sweet William: Felicity, Happiness
Tulip General: Perfect Lover, Fame, Flower Emblem of Holland
Tulip Red: Believe Me, Declaration of Love
Tulip Varigated: Beautiful Eyes
Tulip Yellow: There’s Sunshine in Your Smile
Violet: Modesty
Violet Blue: Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I’ll Always Be True
Violet White: Let’s Take a Chance on Happiness
Viscaria: Will you Dance with Me?
Zinnia Magenta: Lasting Affection
Zinnia Mixed: Thinking (or in Memory) of an Absent Friend
Zinnia Scarlet: Constancy
Zinnia White: Goodness
Zinnia Yellow: Daily Remembrance
I hope you enjoyed reading about flower meanings. As a florist, I think it is a lovely idea to communicate not only by giving those we care about a bouquet of flowers, but to be intentional about the flowers we are gifting as well. Next time you pick some flowers out of your garden or pick some up at the store, consider the message you’d like to accompany your flowers, and make a note of it in the card. I’m sure they’d be impressed! Cheers to learning flower meanings!
Sources:
http://www.languageofflowers.com http://www.allflorists.co.uk/advice_flowerMeanings.asp