Language of Flowers

February 1, 2011

language of flowers
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    During the Victorian era, fresh-cut flowers and herbs were given meanings, a practice known as floriography. No matter the occasion, build a bouquet that speaks for itself with our guide to roses and beyond.

Rose Meanings
A longtime token of love, roses have a language all their own. Each color has its own unique definition:

    • Red: Passion and true love.
    • Light Pink: Grace and happiness.
    • Dark Pink: Admiration, gratitude and romance.
    • Orange: Appreciation and fascination.
    • White:Innocence, reverence and virtue.
    • Yellow: Friendship and joy.
    • Lavender: Enchantment.
    • Peach: Modesty.
Tip: Build a bouquet from one color of roses or craft messages with a multi-hued bunch. Express youth, beauty and grace with a dozen light pink rosebuds or show fascination with a bundle of white and lavender blooms. For more flower arranging tips, plus creative container ideas, pick up a copy of our book.

More Meaningful Blooms
Roses aren’t the only flowers full of meaning. The blooms at your local florist all express different sentiments. Clockwise, from top left:

meaningful blooms inset

  • Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily): Friendship and devotion.
  • Genistra (Broom Flower): Modesty and goodness.
  • Orchid: Refined beauty and luxury.
  • Seeded Eucalyptus: Protection and healing.
  • Tulip: Elegant love.
  • Daisy: Simplicity, cheerfulness and beauty.
  • Tip: Mix and match your favorite flowers to create Modern-Day Tussie Mussies—Victorian-inspired bouquets full of scent, color, texture and special meaning.

    Herbal Expressions
    Add foliage, fragrance and even more meaning to any bouquet with easy-to-find herbs:

    • Mint: Virtue.
    • Parsley: Festivity and merriment.
    • Rosemary: Remembrance.
    • Sage: Esteem, health and wisdom.
    • Thyme: Resourcefulness.
      Tip: When building bouquets for family and friends, go beyond these meanings. If your sister had ivory hydrangeas in her wedding bouquet, include a few in her arrangement. Or surprise the foodie in your life with a bundle of herbs and edible flowers. In the end, it’s all about what certain flowers mean to you and yours.

      Let beautiful and meaningful blooms inspire you every day when you download our Language of Flowers desktop wallpaper.

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