Floriography: Choose Your Flowers Carefully
Developed by the Victorians into an art form, “floriography” was commonly used to convey secret messages that etiquette of the times deemed unacceptable to share openly. Bouquets were prepared and each flower included represented a message that the sender wanted to convey to the receiver.
While not all sources agree on what these meanings are, in the Victoria’s Dictionary of Flowers Vanessa Diffenbaugh attributesmeanings to these flowers.
Allium Prosperity
Almond Blossom Indiscretion
Alstroemeria Devotion
Alyssum Worth Beyond Beauty
Amaryllis Pride
Anemone Forsaken
Aster Patience
Azalea Fragile
Baby’s Breath Everlasting Love
Bachelors’ Button Single Blessedness
Bells of Ireland Goof Luck
Black-Eyed Susan Justice
Bluebell Constancy
Calla Lily Modesty
Camellia My Destiny is in your Hands
Candytuft Indifference
Carnation, Pink I will never Forget You
Carnation, Red My Heart Breaks
Carnation, White Sweet and Lovely
Chrysanthemum Truth
Coreopsis Always Cheerful
Cosmos Joy in Love and Life
Cyclamen Timid Hope
Daffodil New Beginnings
Dahlia Dignity
Daisy Innocence
Daisy, Gerbera Cheerfulness
Daylily Coquetry
Dianthus Make Haste
Forget-Me-Not Forget Me Not
Freesia Lasting Friendship
Fuchsia Humble Love
Gardenia Refinement
Heliotrope Devoted Affection
Hollyhock Ambition
Hyacinth, Blue Constancy
Hyacinth, Purple Please Forgive Me
Hyacinth, White Beauty
Hydrangea Dispassion
Impatiens Impatience
Iris Message
Ivy Fidelity
Jasmine, White Amiability
Jonquil Desire
Larkspur Lightness
Lilac First Emotions of Love
Lily Majesty
Lily of the Valley Return of Happiness
Love Lies Bleeding Hopeless but not Helpless
Magnolia Dignity
Marigold Grief
Morning Glory Coquetry
Narcissus Self Love
Nasturtium Impetuous Love
Orange Blossom Your Purity Equals your Loveliness
Orchid Refined Beauty
Pansy Think of Me
Peony Anger
Periwinkle Tender Recollections
Petunia Your Presence Soothes Me
Phlox Our Souls are United
Pinks Pure Love
Poppy Fantastic Extravagance
Queen Anne’s Lace Fantasy
Ranunculus You are Radiant with Charms
Rose, Moss Confession of Love
Rose, Orange Fascination
Rose, Pale Peach Modesty
Rose, Pink Grace
Rose, Purple Enchantment
Rose, Red Love
Rose, White A Heart Unacquainted with Love
Rose, Yellow Infidelity
Snapdragon Presumption
Speedwell Fidelity
Stock You will Always be Beautiful to Me
Sunflower False Riches
Sweet Pea Delicate Pleasures
Sweet William Gallantry
Tulip Declaration of Love
Verbena Pray for Me
Violet Modest Worth
Water Lily Purity of Heart
Wisteria Welcome
Yarrow Care for a Broken Heart
Zinnia I Mourn your Absence
When choosing flowers to send this Valentine’s Day, choose carefully. Choose those flowers that convey your feelings to the recipient. Since floriography has become an obscure art, it would be helpful to provide a key too.
Happy Valentine’s Day!