Style · From the Archive
Flower Meanings, A to Z
The Victorian language of flowers, letter by letter. Every bloom that carried a meaning worth sending, and what it said.
A
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Acacia |
– – – | Friendship, Concealed Love, Chaste Love, Secret Love |
| Acacia | Pink | Elegance |
| Acacia | Yellow | Secret Love |
 Acorn |
– – – | Nordic symbol of life and immortality |
 Agapanthus |
– – – | Secret Love, Love Letters |
 Allium |
– – – | Unity, Humility, Patience |
 Alstroemeria |
– – – | Wealth, Prosperity, Fortune |
 Amaryllis |
– – – | Pride, Splendid Beauty, Timidity |
 Ambrosia |
– – – | Your Love is Reciprocated, Love Returned |
 Anemone |
– – – | Forsaken, Sincerity, Expectation |
 Apple Blossom |
– – – | Hope, Good Fortune, Better Things to Come |
 Arbutus |
– – – | Thee Only Do I Love |
 Aster |
– – – | Afterthought, Daintiness, Symbol of Love, Variety, Talisman of Love |
 Astilbe |
– – – | I’ll Still Be Waiting |
 Azalea |
– – – | First Love, Temperance, Romance, Love, Fragile Passion |
B
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Baby’s Breath |
– – – | Pure Heart, Gaiety |
 Bachelor’s Button |
– – – | Felicity, Delicacy, Celibacy, Single Blessedness |
 Bamboo |
– – – | Loyalty, Steadfastness |
 Basil |
– – – | Best wishes |
 Bellflower |
– – – | Gratitude |
 Bells of Ireland |
– – – | Good luck, Whimsy |
 Begonia |
– – – | Beware, A Fanciful Nature, Highly Popular |
 Bittersweet |
– – – | Truth |
 Bleeding Heart |
– – – | Elegance, Fidelity |
 Bluebell |
– – – | Humility, Constancy, Everlasting Love |
 Bouquet of Withered Flowers |
– – – | Rejected Love |
 Bouvardia |
– – – | Enthusiasm |
 Buttercup |
– – – | Childishness, Rich in Charms |
C
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Cactus |
– – – | Endurance, Warmth |
 Caladium |
– – – | Great joy, Delight |
 Calla |
– – – | Magnificent Beauty |
 Camellia |
– – – | Perfection, Admiration, Gratitude, Loveliness, Excellence, Beauty |
| Camellia | Pink | Longing for You |
| Camellia | Red | Unpretending Excellence, You’re a Flame in My Heart |
| Camellia | White | Perfected Loveliness, You’re Adorable |
 Candytuft |
– – – | Indifference |
 Carnation |
– – – | Joy, Fascination, Love, Bonds of Love, Admiration, Distinction |
| Carnation | Pink | I’ll Never Forget You |
| Carnation | Purple | Capriciousness |
| Carnation | Red | Alas Poor Heart, My Heart Aches For You, Admiration |
| Carnation | Striped | Sorry I can’t be with you, No, Refusal |
| Carnation | White | Innocence, Sweet, Lovely, Pure, Ardent Love, Honesty |
| Carnation | Yellow | Disdain, Rejection |
 Cattail |
– – – | Peace, Prosperity |
 Chrysanthemum |
– – – | Cheerfulness, You’re a Wonderful Friend, Rest, Optimism |
| Chrysanthemum | Red | Love, I Love You |
| Chrysanthemum | White | Truth |
| Chrysanthemum | Yellow | Slighted love |
 Clover |
– – – | Good luck |
 Cowslip |
– – – | Pensiveness, Winning Grace |
 Coral Bells |
– – – | Challenge |
 Cosmos |
– – – | Modesty |
 Crocus |
– – – | Youthful gladness, Gladness, Cheerfulness |
 Cyclamen |
– – – | Resignation, Goodbye, Modesty, Shyness |
D
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Daffodil |
– – – | Desire, Sympathy, Love me, Affection Returned, Respect, Regard, You’re the only one, Unrequited Love |
 Daisy |
– – – | Innocence, Loyal love, I’ll Never Tell, Purity, Innocence, Gentleness |
 Damask Rose |
– – – | Brilliant Complexion |
 Dandelion |
– – – | Faithfulness, Happiness |
 Dead leaves |
– – – | Sadness |
 Delphinium |
– – – | Well-being, Sweetness |
 Dogwood |
– – – | Love undiminished by adversity |
E
No “E” flowers/herbs/plants available!
F
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Fern |
– – – | Grace, Fascination, Confidence, Magic, Sincerity |
 Fern(Asparagus) |
– – – | Airy Grace |
 Fern(Maiden Hair) |
– – – | Secret Bond of Love |
 Fir |
– – – | Time |
 Flax |
– – – | Domestic symbol, Fate |
 Fleur-de-Lis |
– – – | Flame, I burn |
 Flowering Almond |
– – – | Hope |
 Forget-Me-Not |
– – – | Memories, True Love, Remembrance |
 Forsythia |
– – – | Good nature, Innocence, Anticipation |
 Freesia |
– – – | Trust, Innocence |
 Foxglove |
– – – | Youth |
G
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Galax |
– – – | Encouragement |
 Gardenia |
– – – | You are lovely, Secret Love |
 Garlic |
– – – | Strength, Courage |
 Geranium |
– – – | Stupidity, Folly, Comfort |
 Gladiolus |
– – – | Strength of character, Really sincere |
 Gloxinia |
– – – | Love at first sight |
 Goldenrod |
– – – | Precaution |
 Grass |
– – – | Submission |
H
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Heather |
Lavender | Solitude, Admiration |
| Heather | White | Wishes Will Come True, Protection |
 Heliotrope |
– – – | Devotion, Faithfulness |
 Holly |
– – – | Foresight, Domestic Happiness |
 Honeysuckle |
– – – | Generous, Devoted, Affection, Bonds of Love |
 Huckleberry |
– – – | Faith |
 Hyacinth |
Blue | Please forgive me, Sorrow, Constancy |
| Hyacinth | Purple | I’m Sorry, Sorrow, Please Forgive Me |
| Hyacinth | Red | Play |
| Hyacinth | Pink | Play |
| Hyacinth | White | Loveliness |
| Hyacinth | Yellow | Jealousy |
 Hydrangea |
– – – | Thank you for understanding, Boastfulness |
FLOWER MEANINGS "I"
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Iris |
– – – | Promise, Valor, Wisdom, Your friendship means so much to me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom, Valor |
 Ivy |
– – – | Bridal favor, Affection, Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship |
| Ivy Sprig of White Tendrils |
– – | Anxious To Please, Affection |
J
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japonica |
– – – | Loveliness |
 Jasmine |
– – – | Amiability, Modesty |
 Jonquil (Daffodil) |
– – – | Desire, Sympathy, Love me, Affection Returned, Respect, Regard, You are the only one |
K
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Kalanchoe |
– – – | Popularity |
L
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Lady’s Slipper |
– – – | Fickleness |
 Larkspur |
Pink | Fickleness, An Open Heart, Levity, Laughter |
 Laurel – |
– – – | Success |
 Lavender |
– – – | Admiration, Solitude, Devotion |
| Lavender | White | Protection, Wishes Will Come True |
 Lemon Blossom |
– – – | Fidelity in Love |
 Lilac |
– – – | Beauty, Humility |
| Lilac | Purple | First Emotion of Life |
| Lilac | White | Youthful Innocence |
 Lily |
– – – | Devotion |
| Lily, Calla | – – – | Beauty |
 Lily, Day |
– – – | Coquetry |
 Lily of the Valley |
– – – | Return of Happiness, Humility, Sweetness, Tears of the Virgin Mary |
| Lily | Orange | Wealth |
 Lily, Tiger |
– – – | Pride, Wealth |
 Lily, Water |
– – – | Purity of Heart |
| Lily | White | Sweetness, Purity, Majesty, Virginity |
| Lily | Yellow | Gaiety, Walking on Air |
 Lotus Flower |
– – – | Estranged Love |
M
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Magnolia |
– – – | Love of nature, Dignity, Sweetness, Nobility |
 Marigold |
– – – | Grief, Jealousy, Cruelty, Affection |
 Marjoram |
– – – | Blushes, Mirth |
 Mint |
– – – | Virtue |
 Mistletoe |
– – – | Kiss me, Affection |
 Monkshood |
– – – | Chivalry, Beware, A Deadly Foe is Near |
 Moss |
– – – | Maternal love, Charity, Confessions of Love |
| Mum | – – – | Hope |
 Myrtle |
– – – | Home, Love |
N
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Narcissus |
– – – | Egotism, Formality, Stay As Sweet As You Are |
 Nasturtium |
– – – | Patriotism, Conquest, Victory in battle |
 Nuts |
– – – | Stupidity |
O
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Oleander |
– – – | Caution, Beware |
 Orange Blossom |
– – – | Purity, Marriage, Eternal Love, Innocence, Fruitfulness, Marriage, Fertility, Virginity |
 Orange Mock |
– – – | Deceit |
 Orchid |
– – – | A Belle, Thoughtfulness, Beautiful Lady, Refinement, Beauty, Love, Rare Beauty |
P
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Pansy |
– – – | Merriment, Thoughts |
 Palm Leaves |
– – | Victory, Success |
 Parsley |
– – – | Festivity, Thanks |
 Passion Flower |
– – – | Faith |
 Peach Blossom |
– – – | I am your captive |
 Peony |
– – – | Compassion, Bashfulness, Beauty, Happy Marriage, Welcome |
| Peppermint | – – – | Cordiality, Warmth |
 Periwinkle |
– – – | Love, Sweet Remembrances, Friendship, Memory |
 Petunia |
– – – | Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Sooths Me |
 Phlox |
– – – | Our souls are united |
 Pine |
– – – | Loyalty, Hope, Endurance, Pity |
 Poppy |
– – – | Eternal sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
| Poppy | Red | Pleasure |
| Poppy | White | Consolation |
| Poppy | Yellow | Wealth, Success |
 Prickly Pear |
– – – | Satire |
 Primrose |
– – – | I Can’t Live Without You, Young Love, Gaiety |
Q
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Queen Anne’s Lace |
– – – | Haven, Protection |
 Quince |
– – – | Temptation, Cheer My Soul |
R
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Ragwort |
– – – | I Am Humble But Proud |
 Rannuculus |
– – – | You Are Rich in Attractions, You Are Radiant With Charm |
 Rhododendron |
– – – | Danger |
 Rhubarb |
– – – | Advice, Fidelity |
 Rose |
– – – | Love |
| Rose, Bouquet in Full Bloom |
– – – | Gratitude |
| Rose, Bridal |
– – – | Happy Love |
| Rose | Burgundy | Unconscious Love, Beauty Within |
 Rose,Cabbage |
– – – | Ambassador of Love |
| Rose | Champagne | Vitality, Devotion |
 Rose,Christmas |
– – – | Anxiety |
| Rose | Coral | Desire, Longevity, Good Fortune |
| Rose | Cream | Perfection, Richness |
| Rose, Damask |
– – – | Persian Ambassador of Love, Brilliant Complexion |
| Rose | Dark Crimson | Mourning |
 Rose,Garland of Roses |
– – – | Reward of Virtue |
| Rose | Gold | Absolute Achievement |
 Rose,Hibiscus |
– – – | Delicate Beauty, Delicate beauty |
| Rose | Lavender | Enchantment, Love at First Sight |
| Rose, Leaf |
– – – | You May Hope |
| Rose | Orange | Fascination |
| Rose | Peach | Desire |
| Rose | Pink | Gladness, Grace, Perfect Happiness, Innocent Love, Joy |
| Rose | Pink, Dark | Thankfulness |
| Rose | Red | Passion, Love, Respect, Courage, I love you, Passionate Love |
| Rose | Red (Deep) | Bashful, Passion, Beauty |
 Rose,Red & White together |
– – – | Unity |
 Rose,Rosebud |
– – – | Beauty, Youth |
| 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 | Innocence, Secrecy, Purity, I am worthy of you, Charm, You’re Heavenly, Silence, Pure Love, Truth |
| Rose | Yellow | Friendship, Joy, True Love |
| Rosebud | – – – | Beauty, Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love |
| Rosebud, Moss |
– – – | Confessions of Love |
| Rosebud | Red | Pure, Lovely |
| Rosebud | White | Girlhood |
 Rosemary |
– – – | Remembrance |
S
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Safflower |
– – – | Welcome, Marriage |
 Sage |
– – – | Domestic Virtue, Wisdom |
 Shamrock |
– – – | Luck |
 Smilax |
– – – | Loveliness |
 Snapdragons |
– – – | Strength, Presumption, Gracious Lady, Deception |
 Snowdrop |
– – – | Hope |
| Solidago | – – – | Success |
| Spearmint | – – – | Warmth of Sentiment |
 Spider Flower |
– – – | Elope with Me |
 Spirea |
– – – | Victory, Conceit |
 Starflower |
– – – | Vigilance, Hope |
 Star of Bethlehem |
– – – | Purity |
 Statice |
– – – | Remembrance, Sympathy, Gratitude |
 Stephanotis |
– – – | Happiness in Marriage, Exotic Travel |
 Stock |
– – – | Lasting Beauty, Bonds of Affection, Promptness, You’ll Always Be Beautiful To Me |
 Sunflower |
– – – | Pride, Adoration, Devotion, Loyalty, Faithfulness |
| Sweet Basil | – – – | Good wishes |
 Sweet Pea |
– – – | Delicate pleasures, Good-bye, Blissful Pleasure |
 Sweet William |
– – – | Gallantry |
T
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Thistle |
– – – | Austerity, Independence |
 Thyme |
– – – | Activity, Bravery |
| Tiger Lily | – – – | Prosperity |
 Tuberose |
– – – | Dangerous Pleasure, Dangerous Love, Voluptuousness |
 Tulip |
– – – | Luck, Fame, Perfect Lover, Love |
| Tulip | Red | Declaration of Love, Believe Me |
| Tulip | Variegated | Beautiful Eyes |
| Tulip | Yellow | Hopeless Love |
U
No “U” Flowers listed!
V
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Verbena |
– – – | May You Get Your Wish |
 Veronica |
– – – | Fidelity |
 Violet |
– – – | Virtue, Simplicity, Modesty, Faithfulness |
| Violet | Blue | Watchfulness, Faithfulness, Modesty, I’ll Always Be True |
| Violet | White | Let’s Take a Chance, Candor, Spotless Innocence |
 Virginia Creeper |
– – – | I Cling to You |
 Viscaria |
– – – | Will you dance with me? |
W
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Wallflower |
– – – | Fidelity in Adversity, Lasting Beauty, Fairness |
 Walnut |
– – – | Stratagem, Intellect |
| Water Lily | – – – | Purity of heart |
 Wax Flower |
– – – | Riches |
 Wheat |
– – – | Friendliness, Prosperity |
 Wintergreens |
– – – | Harmony |
 Wisteria |
– – – | Welcome |
| Wood Hyacinth | – – – | Constancy |
 Wood Sorrel |
– – – | Maternal Love |
X
No “X” flowers are listed!
Y
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Yarrow |
– – – | Healing |
| Yellow Lily | – – – | Gratitude |
Z
| Flower | Color | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Zinnia |
– – – | Thoughts of absent friends |
| Zinnia | Magenta | Lasting affection |
| Zinnia | Mixed | Thinking/In Memory of an absent friend |
| Zinnia | Scarlet | Constancy |
| Zinnia | White | Goodness |
| Zinnia | Yellow | Daily Remembrance |
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