From the first time a teen out on his first date wants to impress a young lady onwards through life, there’s always that question – “What does this flower mean?” Or, “What kind of flower should I send to say….?” Women usually have a better insight into the meaning of flowers and all the symbolism involved, but for general reference, we’re sharing this great list of flowers and their meanings.
The list adapted below is based on one of the more widely accepted definitions distributed by American Floral Services, Inc. of Oklahoma City, OK.
ACACIA BLOSSOM: Concealed Love; Beauty in Retirement; Chaste Love
ACORN: Nordic Symbol of Life and Immortality
AMBROSIA: Your Love is reciprocated
AMARYLLIS: Pride; Pastoral Poetry
ANEMONE: Forsaken
ARBUTUS: Thee Only Do I Love
ASTER: Symbol of Love; Daintiness
AZALEA: Take Care of Yourself for Me; Temperance; Fragile Passion; Chinese Symbol of Womanhood
BACHELOR BUTTON: Single Blessedness
BEGONIA: Beware
BELLS OF IRELAND: Good Luck
BITTERSWEET: Truth
BLUEBELL: Humility
BOUQUET OF WITHERED FLOWERS: Rejected Love
CACTUS: Endurance
CAMELLIA: Admiration; Perfection; Good Luck, Gift to a Man
CAMELLIA, Pink: Longing for you
CAMELLIA, Red: You’re a Flame in My Heart
CAMELLIA, White: You’re Adorable
Candytuft: Indifference
CARNATION, General: Fascination; Divine Love
CARNATION, Pink: I’ll never forget you
CARNATION, Purple: Capriciousness
CARNATION, Red: My Heart Aches for You; Admiration
CARNATION, Solid Color: Yes
CARNATION, Striped: No; Refusal; Sony 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
CARNATION, Yellow: You Have Disappointed Me; Rejection
CATTAIL: Peace; Prosperity
CHRYSANTHEMUM, General: You’re A Wonderful Friend; Cheerfulness and Rest
CHRYSANTHEMUM, Red: I Love
CHRYSANTHEMUM, White: Truth
CHRYSANTHEMUM, Yellow: Slighted Love
COREOPSIS: Always Cheerful
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
DAISY: Innocence; Loyal Love; I’ll Never Tell; Purity
DANDELION: Faithfulness; Happiness
DEAD LEAVES: Sadness
FERN: Magic; Fascination; Confidence and Shelter
FERN, Maidenhair: Secret Bond of Love
FLAX: Domestic Symbol
FORGET-ME-NOT: True Love; Memories
FORSYTHIA: Anticipation
GARDENIA: You’re Lovely; Secret Love
GARLIC: Courage; Strength
GERANIUM: Stupidity; Folly
GLADIOLUS: Give Me a Break. I’m Really Sincere; Flower of the Gladiators
GLOXINIA: Love at First Sight
GRASS: Submission
HEATHER, Lavender: Admiration; Solitude
HEATHER, White: Protection; Wishes Will Come True
HOLLY: Defense; Domestic Happiness
HYACINTH, General-: Games and Sports; Rashness; Flower Dedicated to Apollo
HYACINTH, Blue: Constancy
HYACINTH, Purple: I am Sorry; Please Forgive Me; Sorrow
HYACINTH, Red or Pink: Play
HYACINTH, White: Loveliness; I’ll Pray for You
HYACINTH, Yellow: Jealousy
HYDRANGEA: Thank You for Understanding; Frigidity; Heartlessness
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
LARKSPUR, Pink: Fickleness
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; its Heavenly to Be with You
LILY, Yellow: I’m walking on Air; False and Gay
LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY: Sweetness; Tears of the Virgin Mary; Return to Happiness; Humility; You’ve Made My Life Complete
MAGNOLIA: Nobility
MARIGOLD-: Cruelty; Grief Jealousy
MISTLETOE: Kiss me; Affection; To Surmount Difficulties; Sacred Plant of India; Magic Plant of the Druids
MONKSHOOD: Beware; A Deadly Foe is near
MOSS: Maternal Love; Charity
MYRTLE: Love; Hebrew Emblem of Marriage
NARCISSUS: Egotism; Formality; Stay Sweet As You Are
NASTURTIUM: Conquest; Victory in Battle
NUTS: Stupidity
OLEANDER: Caution
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 and Success
PEONY: Shame; Gay Life; Happy Marriage
PETUNIA: Resentment; Anger; Your Presence Soothes me
PINE: Hope; Pity
POPPY, General: Eternal Sleep; Oblivion; Imagination
POPPY – Red: Pleasure
POPPY – White: Consolation
POPPY – Yellow: Wealth; Success
PRIMROSE: I can’t Live Without You PRIMROSE, Evening – Inconstancy
Roses
ROSE: Bridal – Happy Love
ROSE: Christmas – Tranquilize My Anxiety; Anxiety
ROSE: Coral – Desire
ROSE: Damask – Persian Ambassador of Love
ROSE: Dark Crimson – Mourning
ROSE: Dark Pink – Thankfulness
ROSE: Lavender – Enchantment
ROSE LEAF – You May Hope
ROSE: Orange – Fascination
ROSE: Pale Peach – Modesty
ROSE: Pale Pink – Grace, Joy
ROSE: Red – Love. Respect
ROSE: Single Full Bloom – I Love you; I Still Love
ROSE: Tea – I’ll Remember; Always
ROSE: Thornless – Love at First Sight
ROSE: White – Innocence and Secrecy
ROSE: White and Red Together -Unity – Flower Emblem of England
ROSE: Yellow – Joy, Friendship
ROSEBUD – Beauty and Youth; A Heart Innocent of Love
ROSEBUD: Moss – Confessions of Love
ROSEBUD: Red – Pure and Lovely
ROSEBUD: White – Girlhood
ROSES: Bouquet of Full Bloom – Gratitude
ROSES: Garland or Crown of- Reward of Merit; Crown. Symbol of Superior Merit
SMILAX: Loveliness
SNAPDRAGON: Deception; Gracious Lady
STEPHANOTIS – Happiness in Marriage
STOCK – Bonds of Affection; Promptness; You’ll ~Beautiful to Me
SWEET PEA – Good-bye; Departure; Blissful Pie 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 – 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
