The Meaning of Flowers

Since it's Valentines Day (or Singles Awareness Day, celebrate as you wish,) I thought it would be fun to look into the meaning of the flowers that we plant and give.

Pink Rose - Grace

It's called the Language of Flowers, and it has an exciting history. Flowers have had various meanings for thousands of years, but it really gained popularity in Victorian society. Since it was taboo to talk about many things and express your feelings, lots of folks sent flower arrangements that would tell a story.

The definitions we have are from the book The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. While some flowers have different meanings depending on which "dictionary" you read, these seem to be generally accepted. Here are some Valentines Day favorites, good and bad, in no particular order:

• Roses
• Red - Love
• Pink - Grace
• Purple - Enchantment
• White - A heart unacquainted with love
• Orange - Fascination
• Peach - Modesty
• Yellow - Infidelity (Surprise!)
• Lily - Majesty
• Acacia - Secret Love
• Baby's Breath - Everlasting Love
• Bouganvillea - Passion
• Cactus - Ardent Love
• Carnations
• Pink - I will never forget you
• Red - My heart breaks
• Striped - I cannot be with you
• White - Sweet and lovely
• Yellow - Disdain (What is it with these yellow flowers??)
• Clove - I have loved you and you have not known it
• Freesia - Lasting friendship
• Oak Leaf Geranium - True friendship
• Honeysuckle - Devotion
• Hyacinth
• Purple - Please forgive me
• White - Beauty
• Peach - Your charms are unequaled
• Passionflower - Faith
• Pear - Affection
• Phlox - Our souls are united
• Potato Vine - You are delicious
• Stephanotis - Happiness in marriage
• Tulip - Declaration of love

Peach Blossoms - Your charms are unequaled

Maybe you should avoid including some of these in an arrangement for your sweetie:

• Lavender - Mistrust
• Lichen - Dejection
• Hydrangea - Dispassion
• Scarlet Geranium - Stupidity
• Buttercup - Ingratitude
• Candytuft - Indifference
• Foxglove - Insincerity
• Meadow Saffron - My best days are past (I would avoid this at a wedding...)
• Redbud - Betrayal
• Rhododendron - Beware
• Tansy - I declare war against you

Hydrangea - Dispassion

If you're celebrating Singles Awareness Day, here are some suggestions:

• Narcissus - Self-love
• Cranberry - Cure for heartache
• Black Poplar - Courage
• Sage - Good health and long life
• Scarlet Pimpernel - Change
• White Monte Casino - Patience

Sage - Good health and long life

So what does your arrangement mean? I know I'll be careful next time I pick up flowers for my sweetie... And maybe I'll put more thought into what I give my mother-in-law, too...