Struggling to quite know what to say? Flowers have been used for centuries to fill in the gaps where words are not enough, revealing secret messages coded into their blooms by colour or type. If you’re into ‘saying it with flowers’ then choose carefully so you say just the right thing!
Traditional Colour Choice
These traditional colour choices mainly apply to roses but may also be applied to other flower types.
Red roses mean romantic love.
Purple roses signify that the giver has fallen in love with the recipient at first sight.
Coral and orangeroses signal desire.
Yellow roses are joy and friendship.
Pink roses express our gratitude and appreciation.
Light pink roses show feelings of admiration and sympathy.
Peach is more indefinite, as it can signify either sympathy or gratitude.
White roses show meaning of reverence and humility.
Tussie Mussies
These posies date back centuries and you can create them from grouping plants together to relay meaning. Perhaps a modern take on this could be to create a Tussie Mussie Container Garden…or go one step further and spell out your love in an entire garden remodel that only you and your lover will know the secrets of. If you are into garden romance, here’s a small ‘starter dictionary’ to help your plans.
ACACIA - Concealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste Love
AGAPANTHIS - Secret Love
AZALEA - Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood
BEGONIA - Beware
CACTUS - Endurance
CALADIUM - Great joy and delight
CAMELLIA - Good luck gift for a man
CAMELLIA (PINK) - Longing for you
CAMELLIA (RED) - You're a Flame in My Heart
CAMELLIA (WHITE) - You're Adorable
DAISY - Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity
FERN - Magic, Fascination, Confidence and Shelter
GARDENIA - You're Lovely, Secret Love
GERANIUM - Stupidity, Folly
HYDRANGEA - Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness
IVY - Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection
LILY (WHITE) - Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It's Heavenly to be with You
LILY (CALLA) - Beauty
MAGNOLIA - Nobility
MARIGOLD - Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy
MOSS - Maternal Love, Charity
MYRTLE - Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage
OLEANDER - Caution
ORANGE BLOSSOM - Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness
ORCHID - Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children, Thoughtful, Maturity, Charm
PETUNIA - Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Sooths Me
STEPHANOTIS - Happiness in Marriage, Desire to Travel
SUNFLOWER - Pride, Sunshine
VIOLET - Modesty
VIOLET (WHITE) - Let's Take a Chance
WISTERIA - Welcome
ZINNIA (MAGENTA) - Lasting Affection
By: Meredith Kirton