Symbolic Meanings of Herbs, Flowers and Other Plants
Abatina Fickleness
Acanthus The fine art, artifice
Aloe Affection, also grief
Amaryllis Pride
Anemone Forsaken, sickness
Angelica Inspiration
Apple blossom Preference
Arborvitae Unchanging friendship
Aster Symbol of Love, Daintiness
Bachelor’s button Single blessedness
Sweet Basil Good wishes
Bay tree Glory
Begonia Beware, dark thoughts
Belledonna Silence
Bittersweet Truth
Black-eyed Susan Justice
Bluebell Humility, constancy
Borage Bluntness, directness
Butterfly weed Let me go
Camellia, pink Longing For You
Camellia, red You’re a Flame in My Heart
Camellia, white You’re Adorable
Candytuft Indifference
Carnation Women, Love
– Red carnation Alas for my poor heart, my heart aches
– White carnation Innocence, pure love, women’s good luck gift
– Pink carnation I’ll never forget you
– Striped Refusal
– Yellow carnation Disdain, disappointment, rejection
Chamomile Patience in adversity
Chives Usefulness
Chrysanthemum, red I love you
Chrysanthemum,
Slighted love
yellow
Chrysanthemum, white Truth
Clematis Mental beauty
Clematis, evergreen Poverty
Clover, white Think of me
Columbine Foolishness, folly
Columbine, purple Resolution
Columbine, red Anxious, trembling
Coreopsis Always cheerful
Coriander Hidden worth/merit
Crab blossom Ill nature
Crocus, spring Youthful gladness
Cyclamen Resignation, diffidence
Daffodil Regard, Unequalled Love
Dahlia, single Good taste
Daisy Innocence, hope
Dill Powerful against evil
Edelweiss Courage, devotion
Fennel Flattery
Fern Sincerity, humility; also, magic and bonds of love
Forget-me-not True love memories, do not forget me
Gardenia Secret love
Geranium, oak-leaved True friendship
Gladiolus Remembrance
Goldenrod Encouragement, good fortune
Heliotrope Eternal love, devotion
Hibiscus Delicate beauty
Holly Foresight
Hollyhock Ambition
Honeysuckle Bonds of love
Hyacinth Sport, game, play
– Blue Hyacinth Constancy
– Purple Hyacinth Sorrow
– Yellow Hyacinth Jealousy
– White Hyacinth Loveliness, prayers for someone
Gratitude for being understood; frigidity and
Hydrangea
heartlessness
Hyssop Sacrifice, cleanliness
Iris A message
Ivy Friendship, fidelity, marriage
Jasmine, white Sweet love, amiability
Jasmine, yellow Grace and elegance
Lady’s Slipper Capricious beauty
Larkspur Lightness, levity
Lavender Distrust
Lemon balm Sympathy
Lilac Joy of youth
Lily, calla Beauty
Lily, day Chinese emblem for mother
Lily-of-the-valley Sweetness, purity, pure love
Lotus Flower Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth
Magnolia Love of nature
Marigold Despair, grief, jealousy
Marjoram Joy and happiness
Mint Virtue
Morning glory Affection
Myrtle Good luck and love in a marriage
Nasturtium Patriotism
Oak Strength
Oregano Substance
Pansy Thoughts
Parsley Festivity
Peony Bashful, happy life
Pine Humility
Poppy, red Consolation
Rhododendron Danger, beware
Rose, red Love, I love you
Rose, dark crimson Mourning
Rose, pink Happiness
Rose, white I’m worthy of you
Rose, yellow Jealousy, decrease of love, infidelity
Rosemary Remembrance
Rue Grace, clear vision
Sage Wisdom, immortality
Salvia, blue I think of you
Salvia, red Forever mine
Savory Spice, interest
Snapdragon Deception, graciousness
Sorrel Affection
Southernwood Constancy, jest
Spearmint Warmth of sentiment
Speedwell Feminine fidelity
Sunflower, dwarf Adoration
Sunflower, tall Haughtiness
Sweet pea Delicate pleasures
Sweet William Gallantry
Sweet woodruff Humility
Tansy Hostile thoughts, declaring war
Tarragon Lasting interest
Thyme Courage, strength
Tulip, red Passion, declaration of love
Tulip, yellow Sunshine in your smile
Valerian Readiness
Violet Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness, modesty
Wallflower Faithfulness in adversity
Willow Sadness
Yarrow Everlasting love
Zinnia Thoughts of absent friends
White rose: purity, innocence, reverence, a new beginning, a
fresh start.
Red rose: love, I love you
Deep, dark crimson rose: mourning
Pink rose: grace, happiness, gentleness
Yellow rose: jealousy, infidelity
Orange rose: desire and enthusiasm
Lavender rose: love at first sight
Coral rose: friendship, modesty, sympathy
white bouquet had lily-of-the-valley (representing trustworthiness,
purity), sweet William (gallantry), hyacinth (loveliness), myrtle (love
in marriage), and ivy (continuity).
Did you know that giving a single daffodil supposedly leads to
bad luck and white tulips are the best choice if you're asking
for forgiveness?
Red roses mean love and romance – perfect for date
night or anniversary.
Pink roses are said to represent gratitude – give
them as a thoughtful thank you gift.
Yellow roses symbolise friendship – they're perfect
for a surprise bouquet for a friend.
White roses represent innocence and purity – this
is why they were once a very popular choice for bridal
roses.
White lilies are believed to symbolise rebirth and
purity – this is why they're usually featured in funeral
flowers but are also popular for weddings.
Pink lilies represent femininity and adoration –
perfect for gifting to a close friend or loved one.
Yellow roses symbolise friendship – they're perfect
for a surprise bouquet for a friend.
Red lilies are said to mean love and passion – if
you don't want to give roses, choose lilies instead!
Orange lilies are representations of confidence –
give these to someone to give them a boost while going
through an important life milestone.
Yellow lilies are believed to symbolise gratitude –
if you need to say thank you but want to offer more than
words, a bunch of yellow lilies should do it!
Lily pollen is poisonous to kitties.
Across the world, many cultures relate chrysanthemums to
grief or death. In Italy, giving chrysanthemums means you
wish the person wasn’t alive – yikes!
Pink carnations are said to symbolise motherly
love – the perfect choice for a Mother's Day bouquet
then we'd say!
White carnations can represent good luck – drop a
bunch of these flowers round to a friend prepping for a
big interview or exam.
Light red carnations are for admiration and dark
red – the preferred choice if you want to give flowers
that offer your deepest love and affection. Maybe wait
until after the first date.
Pink carnations are said to symbolise motherly
love – the perfect choice for a Mother's Day bouquet
then we'd say!
White carnations can represent good luck – drop a
bunch of these flowers round to a friend prepping for a
big interview or exam.
Light red carnations are for admiration and dark
red – the preferred choice if you want to give flowers
that offer your deepest love and affection. Maybe wait
until after the first date.
Sunflowers are said to represent adoration and loyalty.
Red dahlias are symbols of power and strength – a
great choice for someone you know who needs a
confidence boost, plus a pep talk and perhaps a glass of
wine.
White dahlias represent purity and innocence but
are also said to help with focus – gift these to
someone studying or working on a big project.
Pink dahlias are always pretty and are considered
to represent femininity and kindness – your Mum,
Grandma or sister will appreciate a blooming bunch of
pink dahlias.
Blue dahlias are a striking choice and are said to
represent change – the perfect flower for a
housewarming bouquet then!
Burgundy (black) dahlia's are flowers that have
the most negative meaning out of all the colours,
as they are said to symbolise betrayal – Or they're
just the perfect choice for a goth friend.
When that annual celebration comes around, you want to
choose happy flowers that celebrate life. With this in mind,
here are a few suggestions for flowers to feature in that
birthday bouquet:
Gerbera daisies – Available in a range of fun colours,
gerbera daisies are an always cheerful choice to
celebrate such a happy day.
Tulips – For those celebrating a birthday in spring, you
can't go wrong with a bright bunch of tulips.
Sunflowers – Summer babies will always appreciate a
bold bouquet of happy sunflowers.
Whether you're celebrating the day you said 'I do' or that
milestone date when you went from single to in a relationship
on Facebook, you can always say 'I love you' with a bouquet.
Wondering which flowers are best for spreading the love?
Here are a few to consider:
Rose – Almost half of those we surveyed chose the rose
as their favoured flower to give to a loved one on
an anniversary or other celebration. Can't go wrong with
a classic! If you've been together for 15 years or 50
years, roses are the assigned flower to these
milestones.
Carnation – Said to symbolise fascination, a lusty red
bouquet of carnations should always go down well
Peonies – For anniversaries taking place between April
and June, when peonies bloom, these flowers are an
always beautiful and popular choice.
If you're celebrating someone's success – maybe they've just
passed an exam or landed a new job – say it with flowers.
That hearty bunch of blooms will remind them of your pride
whenever they look at them in their home. We feel all warm
and fuzzy inside just thinking about it!
Sunflowers – You can't go wrong with a happy bunch of
sunflowers, our survey discovered that over a quarter of
people would choose a sunflower to say congratulations!
White roses – A little out there but white roses are
typically associated with the chic divas of the world (the
talented Mariah Carey, for example) so send these
flowers to let them know they've made it!
Yellow chrysanthemums – Sunshine yellow
chrysanthemums landing through their letterbox with
words of praise are sure to brighten up their day.
Justin Bieber would ask 'is it too late now to say sorry?' but
we say, with a bunch of flowers there's no deadline. Here are
some to consider sending to let them know you're looking for
forgiveness:
White tulips – These brilliant white blooms are a way of
asking for forgiveness, they're beautiful without being
showy but should still convince them that you care.
Daffodils – When saying ‘I’m sorry’ just isn't good
enough many people we surveyed (19%) would choose
daffodils out of six other flower types to express their
regret. Of course, these are only available during the
early spring months, so you may need to find an
alternative if you need to apologise again later in the
year!
Yellow roses – If you've argued with your closest
friend, consider a bunch of yellow roses that are said to
represent friendship and care.
