Did you know that there is a language of flowers? In Victorian times meanings were associated with flowers and it was important to send the right flower for the right occasion. This was mainly done because at that time the species of flowers available was limited. Today this has all changed with imports of flowers worldwide. But it is still fun to know what the true meanings of some of the popular flowers are.
Alstroemeria | aspiring | |||
Amaryllis | dramatic | |||
Anemone | fragile | |||
Apple Blossom | promise | |||
Aster | contentment | |||
Azalea | abundance | |||
Baby’s Breath | festivity | |||
Bachelor Button | anticipation | |||
Begonia | deep thoughts | |||
Black-Eyed Susan | encouragement | |||
Camellia | graciousness | |||
Carnations: | Varies depending upon color | |||
pink | gratitude | |||
red | flashy | |||
striped | refusal | |||
white | remembrance | |||
yellow | cheerful | |||
Chrysanthemum | ||||
bronze | excitement | |||
white | truth | |||
red | sharing | |||
yellow | secret admirer | |||
Cosmos | peaceful | |||
Crocus | foresight | |||
Daffodil | chivalry | |||
Delphinium | boldness | |||
Daisy | innocence | |||
Freesia | spirited | |||
Forget-Me-Not | remember me forever | |||
Gardenia | joy | |||
Geranium | comfort | |||
Ginger | proud | |||
Gladiolus | strength of character | |||
Heather | solitude | |||
Hibiscus | delicate beauty | |||
Holly | domestic happiness | |||
Hyacinth | sincerity | |||
Hydrangea | perseverance | |||
Iris | inspiration | |||
Ivy | fidelity | |||
Jasmine | grace and elegance | |||
Larkspur | beautiful spirit | |||
Lavender | distrust | |||
Lilac | first love | |||
Lilies | ||||
Calla | regal | |||
Casablanca | celebration | |||
Day | enthusiasm | |||
Stargazer | ambition | |||
Lisianthus | calming | |||
Magnolia | dignity | |||
Marigold | desire for riches | |||
Nasturtium | patriotism | |||
Orange Blossom | fertility | |||
Orchid | delicate beauty | |||
Pansy | loving thoughts | |||
Passion flower | passion | |||
Peony | healing | |||
Poppy | consolation | |||
Queen Anne’s Lace | delicate femininity | |||
Ranunculus | radiant | |||
Rhododendron | beware | |||
Roses | ||||
pink | friendship | |||
red | passionate love | |||
red & white | unity | |||
white | purity | |||
yellow | zealous | |||
Snapdragon | presumptuous | |||
Star of Bethlehem | hope | |||
Stephanotis | good luck | |||
Statice | success | |||
Sunflower | adoration | |||
Sweetpea | shyness | |||
Tuberose | pleasure | |||
Tulips | ||||
pink | caring | |||
purple | royalty | |||
red | declaration of love | |||
white | forgiveness | |||
yellow | hopelessly in love | |||
Violet | faithfulness | |||
Wisteria | steadfast | |||
Yarrow | good health | |||
Zinnia | thoughts of friends | |||
The above are the basic flower meanings but some of these can be further sub-divided again.
The actual shade and colour of the rose can mean something different as can how many roses you send to the person.
Red roses mean love, respect, courage and beauty. A dark red rose signifies unconscious beauty. While a single rose of any color means ‘I love you’. Two roses which are entwined is meant to ask the question ‘Will you Marry Me?’.
Yellow roses mean friendship, joy, gladness, welcome and remember me. A yellow rose with a red tip means ‘falling in love with you’.
Sending someone six roses signifies the need to be loved and cherished. While sending eleven roses tells a person that they are deeply loved indeed. Thirteen roses shows that you have a secret admirer.
White roses are known as bridal roses, while a white rosebud depicts girl hood. Black roses are associated with death and blue roses depict the impossible or unattainable. If you receive a thornless rose this means the sender loved you at first sight.
The world of flower meanings is huge and if you have any trouble speaking your feelings out loud then it is time for you to start sending more flowers.
If you’d like to learn more about roses and the flower meanings make sure you sign up for our upcoming 6 Week Bridal Basics course.
Or perhaps have some fun with flowers in our mothers day themed Fun with Flowers workshop. Join today with your mum or your daughter and receive a free gift pack valued at over $30. Check out Fun with Flowers Here.
ALSO READ: Easy Floristry Decorating Tips
One of the easiest ways to brighten up your home is by decorating with flowers and plant materials.
If you have a garden then plant flowers which you can cut and bring indoors. By planting flowers that bloom all season long you can easily decorate with them until the frost hits in autumn.
Top floral designers are experimenting with creating tiered bouquets for your home and you can easily accomplish this too. All you need for your tiered bouquet are two glass bowls which can be stacked on top of each other. Then simply fill with a mixture of small and large seasonal flowers. For example in the spring you can mix pansies and nemesia or forget me nots and use larger flowers such as columbine and violas.
First start by stacking your pedestal bowl on top of the larger one and then add water to both bowls. Use smaller blossoms for the base of the bowls and press the stems into the water. Then take your larger blossoms and cut the stems so they fit inside the bowl, simply insert these blossoms throughout your flower bouquet.
If you don’t have a pedestal type bowl you can use small individual glass bowls and place them around your home. If you are having dinner guests you could place small flower arrangements at their place setting.
To add a flare to your floral arrangements don’t forget to use some of the leaves which grow with your flowers. Peonies look wonderful floating in a small bowl of water. To keep the Peony above the water place a small ball of bubble wrap underneath it for support. Use grasses or leaves to add a touch of green to the bowl while decorating with flowers.
You probably have a variety of grasses growing in your garden and these can be used to make your dinner settings stand out. Simply use a grass such as maiden grass of about 12 inches long and tie around your cutlery and fasten with a knot. To add color to your setting pick a small handful of buttercups or daises and tie them into a bouquet as well.
Maiden grass dries extremely well and will keep for up to one year so you can easily reuse them over and over again. If you find the grass is getting a little brittle then spray very lightly with a little hair gel. Works wonderfully!
Decorating with flowers doesn’t have to be expensive. Try looking around your garden and use what you see growing. Hosta leaves help add a wonderful touch of green to indoor flower arrangements too.
If you’d like to learn how create floral arrangements like a professional check out our upcoming courses including a 4 week Bridal Basics course or perhaps have a fabulous time arranging your very own design in our 2-hour workshop “Fun with Flowers”. Enrol today !
ALSO READ: 5 Fun Facts About Being A Florist