Do you know the language of flowers? As our list below shows, each flower has its own meaning. The orange blossom meaning, for instance, is chastity, purity and loveliness, while red chrysanthemum means I love you.

Flower meanings have fascinated people for centuries, and they even play a large role in William Shakespeare’s works. Bouquets make great gifts, and it is important to know what your bouquet symbolizes. Many people also want to dress up their gardens with flower symbols that represent them. Roses tend to have special meanings, as do flowers used in weddings. Another important area of flower symbolism is the meaning of birth month flowers.

Rose Meanings

Red roses symbolize love and desire, but roses come in a variety of colors and each has their own meaning. For example, the white rose meaning is purity and innocence.

• Dark red rose: unconscious beauty
• White rose: purity, innocence, reverence, silence
• Pink rose: grace, happiness, gentleness
• Yellow rose: joy, friendship, the promise of a new beginning
• Orange rose: desire and enthusiasm
• Lavender rose: love at first sight
• Coral rose: friendship, modesty, sympathy

Special Meaning of Wedding Flowers: Flowers of Love

Flowers have always been a big feature at weddings, too. As an example, look to the royal flower bouquet in the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, to Kate Middleton (now Catherine, Ducchess of Cambridge). Her flowers had very special meaning.

The groom, too, wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his button-hole. This stems from the Medieval tradition of wearing his Lady’s colors, as a declaration of his love.

One fun idea is to have a garden gathering and have each person bring a flower that has meaning to them. Or, paint tiles on a kitchen island with a flower that represents each of your loved ones.

There is a language, little known,
Lovers claim it as their own.
Its symbols smile upon the land,
Wrought by nature’s wondrous hand;
And in their silent beauty speak,
Of life and joy, to those who seek
For Love Divine and sunny hours
In the language of the flowers.
–The Language of Flowers, London, 1875

Meanings of Herbs, Flowers, and Trees

Please tell us which flowers have meaning to you! If we are missing one of your favorites, please tell us which one and its meaning.

Wish to grow a flower that has meaning to you or a loved one? Click on the linked plant names for free planting and growing guides.

Symbolic Meanings of Herbs, Flowers and Trees Aloe Healing, protection, affection Angelica Inspiration Arborvitae Unchanging friendship Bachelor’s button Single blessedness Basil Good wishes Bay Glory Black-eyed Susan Justice Carnation Alas for my poor heart Chamomile Patience Chives Usefulness Chrysanthemum Cheerfulness Clover, white Think of me Coriander Hidden worth Crocus, spring Youthful gladness Cumin Fidelity Daffodil Regard Daisy Innocence, hope Dill Powerful against evil Edelweiss Courage, devotion Fennel Flattery Fern Sincerity Forget-me-not Forget-me-not Geranium, oak-leaved True friendship Goldenrod Encouragement Heliotrope Eternal love Holly Hope Hollyhock Ambition Honeysuckle Bonds of love Horehound Health Hyacinth Constancy of love, fertility Hyssop Sacrifice, cleanliness Iris A message Ivy Friendship, continuity Jasmine, white Sweet love Lady’s-mantle Comforting Lavender Devotion, virtue Lemon balm Sympathy Lilac Joy of youth Lily-of-the-valley Sweetness Marjoram Joy and happiness Mint Virtue Morning glory Affection Myrtle The emblem of marriage, true love Nasturtium Patriotism Oak Strength Oregano Substance Pansy Thoughts Parsley Festivity Pine Humility Poppy, red Consolation Rose, red Love, desire Rosemary Remembrance Rue Grace, clear vision Sage Wisdom, immortality Salvia, blue I think of you Salvia, red Forever mine Savory Spice, interest Sorrel Affection Southernwood Constancy, jest Sweet pea Pleasures Sweet William Gallantry Sweet woodruff Humility Tansy Hostile thoughts Tarragon Lasting interest Thyme Courage, strength Tulip, red Declaration of love Valerian Readiness Violet Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness Willow Sadness Yarrow Everlasting love Zinnia Thoughts of absent friends

Source: 

The 2009 Old Farmer's Almanac