Flowers.  It is that time of year again. The snow has melted finally, and everything is starting to bud.  Right now I am anxiously awaiting what ever tulips are still alive in my yard and to evaluate all my plantings for next year.

I wish I could say that I am a real green thumb, but I’m not.  I am not the type to spend hours in a garden as relaxation or exercise.  I wish I was. I do love flowers.  I love how they look, the color and the shape.  I even like the scent of a few of them.  My love of flowers lead me to the concept of the language of flowers.

We all know each birth sign has it’s own trademark flower, each month has one too, and we all know holidays such as Easter and Christmas are marked by distinct flora.  Did you know that each flower, even each color of flower has it’s own distinct meaning?

Flowers in place of sentiments or words hit the height of popularity during Victorian times.  A single flower could have several meanings depending on what part of the world or the situation that it was involved in. Even the ribbon the flowers were bound with, to the condition of the flowers and even the hand they were handed over in or received in determined the message. It will certainly make you think next Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day.  There are still a vast amount of books from the height of the Victorian Era where you can find all this information and more in.

Here are some of the meanings of flowers.

Orange Blossom: Chastity, Purity and Loveliness.

Red Chrysanthemum: I love you.

Bluebells: Kindness

Peonies: Bashfulness

Tulips: Passion

Pink Carnations: Never Forget You

White Carnations: Sweet

Yellow Carnations: Romantic Rejection

Red Carnations: My heart aches.

Purple Violet: Thoughts of love

Red Rose: Love

Red Tulip: Confession of Love

Calla Lily: Magnificent Beauty

Clover: Think of me.

Apple Blossom: Preference

Crocus: Youth

Daffodil: Regard

Daisy: Innocence

Edelweiss: Courage/Devotion

Forget-me-not: True Love

Lilac: Youth

Lily of the Valley: Sweetness

Red Poppy: Consolation

Sunflower: Adoration

Gardenia: Secret Love, Sweetness

Orchid: Femininity, Refinement

Queen Anne’s Lace: Sanctuary

Cherry Blossom: gentleness, beauty

There are so many more meanings and flowers to choose from.  This was just a sample.  Hopefully it will give you something to think about next time you decide to give someone a bouquet of flowers.  Enjoy!