As every flower lover knows, flowers have a language of their own. Every sentiment is expressed in one form or another by these fragile blooms, and as a leading psychologist states . . . . "Flowers are a perfect replica of human life" . . . . planting . . . growth . . . . bloom . . . . withering
This is one version of the meaning of flowers, there are many different versions from several countries some with completely different meanings. This one is fairly comprehensive and one that is commonly used in North America.
Several flowers listed below are not normally available in North American flower shops and others are very seasonal. Even flowers that are listed as Year round may not be available on any given day! Please don't expect that any given florist has these flowers in stock.
availability - Year
round
availability - Seasonal (Spring)
(Summer) (Fall)
(Winter)
availability - Scarce
availability - Not
Normally Available in Flower Shops
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
CANDY TUFT - 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 Colour - Yes
CARNATION Striped - No; Refusal; Sorry I Can't Be with You: Wish l 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
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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
FIR - Time
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 Valour; 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; It's Heavenly to Be with You
LILY Yellow - I'm Walking on Air; False and Gay
LILY-0F-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 as 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
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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 You
ROSE Tea - I'll Remember; Always
ROSE Thorn less - Love at First Sight
ROSE White - Innocence and Secrecy
ROSE White and Red Together - Unity White on Red Together - 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
ROSES Musk Cluster - Charming
SMILAX - Loveliness
SNAPDRAGON - Deception; Gracious Lady
SPIDER FLOWER - Elope with Me
STEPHANOTIS - Happiness in Marriage; Desire to Travel
STOCK - Bonds of Affection; Promptness; You'll Always Be Beautiful to Me
SWEET PEA - Good-bye; Departure; Blissful Pleasure; 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