The language of Flowers

In Alphabetical Order

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.

Flowers that start with A:

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

Flowers that start with B:

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

Flowers that start with C:

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

Flowers that start with D:

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

Flowers that start with E:

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

Flowers that start with F:

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

Flowers that start with G:

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

Flowers that start with H:

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

Flowers that start with I:

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

Flowers that start with J:

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

Flowers that start with K:

Kennedia: Intellectual Beauty

King’s Cup: I wish I were Rich

Flowers that start with L:

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

Flowers that start with M:

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

Flowers that start with N:

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

Nasturtium: Conquest, Victory in Battle

Nuts: Stupidity

Flowers that start with O:

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

Flowers that start with P:

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

Flowers that start with Q:

Quaking Grass: Agitation

Queen’s Annes’ Lace: Haven

Flowers that start with R:

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

Flowers that start with S:

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

Flowers that start with T:

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

Flowers that start with V:

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?

Flowers that start with Z:

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