As every flower lover knows, flowers have a language of their own. Every sentiment is expressed in one form or another by these delicate blooms. Of course, even the experts disagree on the “true meaning” of many flowers and most have different meanings to different people. So, while all flowers convey thoughtfulness and love, here are some of the more traditional flower meanings, according to one source. See, if you agree. And, remember, a gift of flowers for a special someone will always create its own personal meaning, too.
| Acacia | Concealed Love, Beauty In Retirement, Chaste Love |
| Ambrosia | Your Love Is Reciprocated |
| Amaryllis | Pride, Pastoral Poetry |
| Aster | Symbol of Love, Daintiness |
| Bachelor Button | Single Blessedness |
| Begonia | Beware |
| Bells Of Ireland | Good Luck |
| Bluebell | Humility |
| Camellia (Pink) | Longing For You |
| Camellia (Red) | You’re A Flame in My Heart |
| Camellia (White) | You’re Adorable |
| Carnation (Pink) | I’ll Never Forget You |
| Carnation (Red) | My Heart Aches for You, Admiration |
| Carnation (Purple) | Capriciousness |
| Carnation (Striped) | No, Refusal, Sorry I Can’t Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You |
| Carnation (White) | Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman’s Good Luck Gift |
| Carnation (Yellow) | You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection |
| Chrysanthemum (General) | You’re A Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest |
| Chrysanthemum (White) | Truth |
| Chrysanthemum (Yellow) | Slighted Love |
| Crocus | Cheerfulness |
| Cyclamen | Resignation and Good-Bye |
| Daffodil | Regard, Unrequited Love, You’re The Only One, The Sun Is Always Shining When I’m With You |
| Daisy | Innocence, Loyal Love, I’ll Never Tell, Purity |
| Fern | Magic, Fascination, Confidence And Shelter |
| Forget-Me-Not | True Love, Memories |
| Forsythia | Anticipation |
| Gardenia | You’re Lovely, Secret Love |
| Gladioli | Give Me a Break, I’m Really Sincere, Flower Of The Gladiators |
| Gloxinia | Love at First Sight |
| Heather (Lavender) | Admiration, Solitude |
| Heather (White) | Protection, Wishes Will Come True |
| Holly | Defense, Domestic Happiness |
| Hyacinth (General | Games And Sports, Rashness, Flower Dedicated To Apollo |
| Hyacinth (Blue) | Constancy |
| Hyacinth (Purple) | I Am Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow |
| Hyacinth (Red Or Pink) | Play |
| Hyacinth (White) | Loveliness, I’ll Pray For You |
| Hyacinth (Yellow) | Jealousy |
| Hydrangea | Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness |
| Iris | Fleur-De-Lis, Emblem Of France, Your Friendship Means So Much To Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom And Valor, My Compliments |
| Ivy | Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection |
| Jonquil | Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire For Affection Returned |
| Larkspur (Pink) | Fickleness |
| Lily (White) | Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It’s Heavenly to Be With You |
| Lily (Yellow) | I’m Walking On Air, False And Gay |
| Lily (Calla) | Beauty |
| Lily (Day) | Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mother |
| Lily (Eucharis) | Maiden Charms |
| Lily (Tiger) | Wealth, Pride |
| Lily of the Valley | Sweetness, Tears of The Virgin Mary, Return To Happiness, Humility, You’ve Made My Life Complete |
| Magnolia | Nobility |
| Marigold | Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy |
| Orange Blossom | Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness |
| Orchid | Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children |
| Orchid (Cattleya) | Mature Charm |
| Peony | Shame, Happy Life, Happy Marriage |
| Poppy (General) | Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
| Poppy (Red) | Pleasure |
| Poppy (White) | Consolation |
| Poppy (Yellow) | Wealth, Success |
| Primrose | I Can’t Live Without You |
| Primrose (Evening) | Inconstancy |
| Rose (Red) | Love; I Love You |
| Rose (White) | Eternal Love; Innocence; Heavenly; Secrecy and Silence |
| Rose (Pink) | Perfect Happiness; Please Believe Me |
| Rose (Yellow) | Friendship; Jealousy; Try to Care |
| Rose (Red & White) | Together; Unity |
| Rose (Single, Full Bloom) | I Love You; I Still Love You |
| Rose Bud (Red) | Pure and Lovely |
| Rose Bud (White) | Girlhood |
| Roses (Bouquet Of Full Bloom) | Gratitude |
| Roses (Garland or Crown) | Beware Of Virtue; Reward Of Merit; Crown; Symbol Of Superior Merit |
| Rose (Tea) | I’ll Always Remember |
| Rose (Cabbage) | Ambassador of Love |
| Rose (Dark Crimson) | Mourning |
| Rose (Hibiscus) | Delicate Beauty |
| Rosemary | Remembrance |
| Tulip (General) | Perfect Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland |
| Tulip (Red) | Believe Me, Declaration of Love |
| Tulip (Variegated) | Beautiful Eyes |
| Tulip (Yellow) | There’s Sunshine in Your Smile |
| Violet | Modesty |
| Violet (Blue) | Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I’ll Always Be True |
| Violet (White) | Let’s Take A Chance |
| Zinnia (Magenta) | Lasting Attraction |
| Zinnia (Mixed) | Thinking (Or In Memory) Of an Absent Friend |
| Zinnia (Scarlet) | Constancy |
| Zinnia (White) | Goodness |
| Zinnia (Yellow) | Daily Remembrance |