A Dictionary of Flowers and Their Meanings
When you want the perfect floral bouquet to send for that special occasion in Vancouver, it helps to know what the meaning behind the cut flowers and flowering potted plants stand for. This is sometimes referred to as “floriography.” The language of flowers has been speaking to the giver and the receiver for many centuries.
It is with this information that you can choose the ideal bouquet or potted plant to express, without words, the meaning you want to convey to the recipient. We at Nature’s Wonders Florist are a local Vancouver flower shop and it is our goal to make your decisions that much easier when choosing which type of flowers to include in your floral bouquet. We have included a list of flowers and the sentiment behind them to aid you in your quest for the perfect floral arrangement for any occasion.
Acacia - This yellow flower has a few meanings with all but one having to do with love. It can mean platonic, chaste or concealed love as well as beauty in retirement. This is the perfect flower for young people to give to each other or for a secret admirer to send to their crush. It is also ideal to send to someone that is finally taking their retirement.
Agapanthus - This purple beauty is a flower that can be sent to a sick friend in the hospital or it can be included in a funeral arrangement as it means immortality.
Alstroemeria - The alstroemeria is also referred to as the lily of Peru. It too has a variety of meanings. It can mean, aspiring, fortune, prosperity and wealth. The ideal flower for someone beginning a new job or moving into a new home. It also means devotion so can be sent to a friend to express your unique bond.
Amaryllis - A flower whose sentiment can convey pride, one that can be sent to the graduate; pastoral poetry, dramatic or splendid beauty. An excellent choice to send to the new parents or to give as a corsage for a formal event.
Ambrosia - Ambrosia has a lovely sentiment attached: The love you offer is returned. Perfect for a lady to send to her beau when he has uttered the words, “I love you” for the first time.
Anemone - With dual meanings the anemone can mean sincerity. When this sentiment is felt it is ideal for a young man to send to his lady after he has asked for her hand in marriage. On the flip side, the anemone can also mean abandonment, refusal, forsaken. Perhaps if the lady wants to say no she can send this flower to her suitor as her answer with the sentiment of refusal attached.
Apple Blossom - A cheery flower it can mean better things to come. It can also stand for temptation. A man otherwise involved can send this flower to his possible conquest or it can be used to express empathy for an unfortunate event.
Arbutus - Perfect for committed lovers to send to each other as the flower means “I love only you.” A unique alternative to traditional roses on Valentine’s Day or an anniversary.
Aster- Another symbol of love, it can express contentment, unpredictability or daintiness. A good choice for anniversaries or apologies.
Azalea - This gorgeous flowering plant comes in a variety of colors. Its meaning can express passion that is fragile, temperance and is the flower the Chinese use to symbolize womanhood. It is perfect for the new mother.
Baby’s Breath - Most people are familiar with baby’s breath as an added adornment to frame a larger bouquet of flowers. The meaning of this flower is festivity or celebration, happiness and pure of heart. That is why you see this accompanying spray of flowers with floral arrangements of congratulations for a variety of occasions.
Bachelor Button - A bachelor button signifies anticipation, single blessedness, hope in solitude and delicacy. It can be a flower sent to someone that has lost their spouse or the complete opposite, to an expectant mother upon hearing the news of her impending new arrival.
Begonia - When one wants to convey a playful attitude they may want to include a begonia in their arrangement. One of its sentiments is “I am fanciful.” If you want to warn someone away it also means beware and for a spiritual floral bouquet it can mean deep thoughts.
Bells of Ireland - Everyone is familiar with the luck of the Irish and this flower in its cheery green means “Good Luck.” Great to send someone when they are interviewing for a new job, buying a new home, etc.
Bird of Paradise -This flower signifies joyfulness and should be sent when one wants to express to anyone for any reason this heartfelt sentiment.
Bittersweet -Though the name may invoke feelings and thoughts of nostalgia, the sentiment behind this flower is truth. Perhaps you could send it to your lawyer before he represents you in the courtroom.
Bluebell -A cheery sounding name, the bluebell can covey humility, delicacy and constant love. A lovely bloom to send and receive from lovers.
Bouvardia-When you really want to cheer someone on and let them know you are in their corner, the ideal flower to send is the Bouvardia as it means double enthusiasm.
Cactus - The cactus signifies endurance and bravery. It is a wonderful flowering plant to give to someone in recovery from an illness or as an anniversary gift.
Caladium Leaves - The perfect colorful plant to celebrate a signature event such as marriage, birth of a child or other such milestones, caladium signify delight and great joy.
Camellia - Though we don’t often think that flowers are an appropriate gift for men, the camellia stands for good luck to a male in your life. Engagements, new cars or jobs can be celebrated by sending this to your favourite man.
Carnation -Depending upon the color the carnation can have different meanings. Pink carnations are to tell someone you won’t forget them or as a symbol of Mother’s Day, Red is for either sympathy or pride and a solid carnation of white signifies pure love or a wish for good luck.
Cattail - Wild and beautiful the cattail signifies peace and prosperity. It’s the ideal decoration for a housewarming party or to send as an apology.
Chrysanthemum - This is a flower to send to show your appreciation for a wonderful friend or as a symbol of hope amidst darkness.
Columbine - The columbine has a touch of irony to it these days as that was the location of one of the worst high school shootings the U.S. has seen thus far. The flower means folly, foolishness.
Crocus - It is an early spring bloom that signifies gladness and cheerfulness; A great addition to a spring bouquet.
Cyclamen - If you want to say goodbye with style and grace the cyclamen is the flower to send. It also means resignation so if your true love has spurned you sending this flower shows that realize there is no hope for the two of you.
Daffodil - A cheery spring bloom, this flower signifies high regard, chivalry and unrequited love. A flower to send when she won’t accept a second date and you wish she would reconsider.
Dahlia - There is some dispute over the meaning of the dahlia. Some use it to signify good taste and pomp while others choose to view it as a sign of fickleness or instability. Choose your preferred meaning to get your point across with the dahlia.
Daisy - Sweet and sassy the daisy is for purity, love and loyalty. It signifies gentleness and innocence, the perfect addition to a bridal bouquet.
Delphinium - The delphinium is a flower to give to someone you admire as it means courage and boldness. Send it to someone that has impressed you with their actions.
Elderberry Blossom - When you want to convey to someone you know you are wrong, send an elderberry blossom as it signifies humility. It can also symbolize kindness.
Fern - Nothing makes the woodlands smell sweeter than the fern. Sending someone this greenery shows you are fascinated with them, that you think they’re magical and your feelings are truly sincere.
Flax - A flower to send to someone that has bought a new home, furniture or anything to do with domestic bliss.
Fleur de Lis - A passionate bloom that signifies flames, it is the perfect way to tell someone you burn for them.
Forget Me Not - This flower is pretty self explanatory, the meaning conveys good memories, true love and a faithful heart.
Forsythia - Another early spring bloom, its meaning is dead on as it signifies anticipation.
Frangipani - A fresh looking bloom, this flower symbolizes protection or shelter. Send to someone you want to stand guard over and protect.
Freesia - This is a bloom to send to someone to show your trust. It can also symbolize a spirited person or innocence.
Gardenia - The gardenia is a flower that a man gives to a woman as it means “you are lovely.” It epitomizes the feminine grace.
Geranium - The geranium is the ideal flower to give to someone when you want to apologize as it symbolizes stupidity and folly.
Gerbera Daisy - A lovely flower to give to a young lady for a special occasion as it means purity.
Gladiolus - These were the flowers of the ancient gladiators. There meaning is strength of character and can also indicate sincerity.
Gloxinia - A truly romantic bloom it symbolizes love at first sight.
Heather - Giving purple heather can mean a few things such as admiration, solitude or beauty. It is a versatile bloom that is an elegant offering.
Holly - This lovely winter bloom is most often associated with the Christmas season. Its meanings are varied and can indicate strength, foresight, domestic happiness and defense.
Honeysuckle - The honeysuckle is a wild growing, fragrant bloom that stands for happiness and sweetness. It is a wonderful offering in the late spring when they come into bloom.
Hyacinth - The hyacinth is a cheeky and active flower as it can mean rashness or relate to games and sports, though I don’t know any male athletes that might appreciate receiving a bunch before a game.
Hydrangea - With several meanings behind this flower, the only one that sends a positive message is thanks for your understanding. Other meanings include vanity, heartlessness and frigidity.
Iris - The iris is a stunning flower and can symbolize inspiration, wisdom, valor and affection.
Jasmine - Another fragrant bloom, jasmine can mean good luck and productivity as well as elegance, grace and cheerfulness. It’s a wonderful flower to send on Mother’s Day.
Jonquil - The jonquil is an intense bloom with a variety of meanings. It can stand for violent sympathy, a desire for returned affection, desire and love me. A spurned lover can send this flower to their beloved.
Larkspur - The larkspur looks like a delicate bloom but it can mean some powerful emotions such as a beautiful spirit, an open heart, or symbolize infidelity or fickleness.
Lavender - Another sweet smelling bloom, lavender is a dependable flower that symbolizes constancy. It is a wonderful inclusion in a bouquet sent to a couple that has been married for many years.
Lily - Lilies are a favorite among many. The white lily symbolizes youthful innocence. The Calla lily is the symbol for beauty. Either of these blooms will make a bold statement in any bouquet of which they are a part. The day lily in China is the symbol for motherhood and the exotic tiger lily means prosperity.
Lotus - For many, the lotus blossom brings to mind the nation of China. Its meaning is estranged love and is perfect to send to a lady when lovers have had a disagreement or a parting of the ways.
Magnolia - The magnolia is for many in the United States a symbol of the South as so many magnolia trees bloom in that region. The official meaning behind the fragrant magnolia blossom is beauty, dignity, nobility and perseverance. It is a bloom to send to someone you admire.
Marigold - Marigolds are in abundance in the fall in the eastern regions and it is not a happy flower. The only positive meaning behind it is affection and the other meanings are jealousy, grief and cruelty. It’s not a flower to be sending to someone you love.
Marvel of Peru - A truly romantic flower, when you send this to your lover it stands for flame of love.
Mimosa - The symbolization behind this lovely flower is sensitivity. It is ideal to send to someone when you want them to know that you understand what they are going through.
Mistletoe - This is another Christmas flower, most of us are aware that when standing beneath it you must be kissed. It also stands for love and affection and is India’s sacred plant.
Monkshood - This is another sinister bloom as it means beware or a deadly enemy is near. A great flower to send to warn a foe to watch out!
Myrtle - The myrtle is a cheerful bloom and the meanings behind it attest to that fact. The myrtle stands for joy, laughter and love and it is the symbol of marriage for the Hebrew people.
Narcissus - Many of us are familiar with the myth of Narcissus who so loved himself. It stands for self and egotism, but on a lighter note also means stay sweet.
Nasturtium - A bold looking bloom it stands for a victory in battle, a conquest and patriotism. It’s the ideal flower to decorate the home for elections, Independence Day and a win.
Orange Blossom - This is another romantic bloom that every lady is sure to appreciate. It symbolizes eternal love and innocence.
Orange Mock - This is another flower that has no happy meaning as it symbolizes deceit. It's the perfect flower to send when you have not told the truth to someone you care about.
Orchid - Orchids are famous for the difficulty in growing them. It has a variety of meanings including, beautiful lady, charm, refinement, love and it is the symbol the Chinese use for many children.
Oleander - It’s a beautiful bloom that symbolizes grace and beauty.
Pansy - The pansy’s meaning is thoughtful recollection and is the perfect flower to send when you want someone to know you are thinking of them kindly. It can also mean merriment and can be the unspoken communication between two people in love.
Peony - There is a variety of meanings associated with the Peony. One is the ability to keep secrets and the other is compassion. For love and romance, the peony can symbolize a happy marriage or life.
Petunia - This lovely flower can symbolize anger or resentment. On the opposite spectrum it can mean your presence soothes me. That is quite a contradiction in meanings.
Poppy - Many of us recall the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz putting Dorothy and her friends to sleep in a field of poppies. In keeping with that thought the poppy can mean oblivion and eternal sleep. It can also symbolize dreaminess and imagination.
Primrose - For those young lovers that can’t get enough of each other, the primrose stands for I can’t live without you. It is a lovely flower with a lovely sentiment.
Rose - The rose is the universal flower of love. There are different meanings depending upon what color of rose you choose. A pink rose stands for please believe me and perfect happiness. The red rose of course symbolizes passion and love. A tea rose stands for I’ll always remember. The white rose symbolizes innocence and purity. It also means that you not only love the body, you are in love with the soul as well. When you send white and red roses together it stands for unity. A yellow rose symbolizes deep friendship and when you send someone you love a single rose it means I still love you.
Snapdragon - This bloom has a few meanings as well. It can be sent to a gracious lady, mean deception or presumption. It can also symbolize strength.
Stephanotis - A great flower to send for a wedding or to someone embarking on a trip, the stephanotis stands for happiness in marriage, good luck and a desire to travel. It is perfect to send to one that is taking off on a cruise to decorate their stateroom.
Sunflower - Always thought of as a smiling flower the sunflower can symbolize sunshine, devotion or pride. It is a bloom that can be sent for any occasion as it dresses up any bouquet.
Sweet Pea - The Sweet Pea is the ideal bloom to send to those that offered you hospitality as it means thank you for a lovely time. It is also a flower that signifies a departure or goodbye or it can mean blissful pleasure.
Tulip - The tulip can mean luck or a perfect lover. In the country of Holland it is their floral emblem. A red tulip sent means a declaration of love, the yellow tulip is a declaration of hopeless love.
Violet - A lovely purple bloom the violet can symbolize virtue, modesty or simplicity.
Viscaria - A great flower to include in a corsage for a formal dance event it means will you dance with me?
Wisteria - Not often thought of as a bloom to include in a bouquet the wisteria symbolizes youth, poetry and a warm welcome.
Zinnia - This is another bloom that can be sent in a sympathy bouquet as it symbolizes thinking of an absent friend and remembrance. It can also mean lasting affection.
