Floriography

The meaning of flowers

Flowers are a great way to communicate your love
and affection. Over the years, flowers developed
sentimental meanings that express a special
message. Throughout history, including the
Victorian Era and many cultures including the
Persians have used flowers to send secret messages
to others.

Floriography is the forgotten language or secret

language of flowers. With it, flowers in a bouquet
are like words or phrases in a sentence. Each one
can convey a different part of the message or
emotion. The next time you give flowers, consider
selecting ones that express your feelings.

Birth month flowers

January: Carnation
February: Violet, Iris
March: Daffodil
April: Sweet Pea, daisy, peony
May: Lily of the Valley Calla: Beauty
June: Rose Carnation
July: Larkspur, Delphinium • Pink: I’ll never forget you
August: Gladiolus, dahlia • Purple: Unsure
September: Aster • Red: My heart aches for you, admiration
October: Calendula • Solid: Yes.
November: Chrysanthemum • Striped: No, I cannot be with you
December: Narcissus, poinsettia, holly, • White: Sweet and lovely, innocence and love
or paperwhite
• Yellow: Disdain
Flower meanings Chrysanthemum: Truth, friendship
Amaryllis: Pride Clover: Providence
Anemone: Forsaken Coreopsis: Always cheerful
Aster: Daintiness, patience Crocus: Cheerfulness
Azalea: Take care of yourself, fragile passion Cyclamen: Resignation and goodbye
Baby’s breath: Lasting love Daffodil: Regard, unequaled love, new beginnings
Bachelor button: Single blessedness Daisy: Innocence, loyal love, purity
Bells-of-Ireland: Good luck Dandelion: Faithfulness, happiness
Bittersweet: Truth Daylily: Coquetry
Bluebell: Humility Daylily (Tiger lily): Wealth, pride
Calendula (marigold): Cruelty, grief, jealousy Fern: Secret bond of love

© Copyright 2022 University of Illinois Extension Floriography: The meaning of flowers

Forget me not: True love, memories Rose
Forsythia: Anticipation • In full bloom: I love you
Gardenia: Secret love • Burgundy: Unconscious beauty
Geranium: Stupidity, folly • Orange: Fascination
Gladiolus: Strong character, give me a break, I’m • Peach: Modesty, gratitude, appreciation,
really sincere, you pierce my heart admiration, sympathy
Gloxinia: Love at first sight • Pink: Grace and admiration
Grass: Submission • Purple: Enchantment
Hellebore: Anxiety • Red and white: Unity
Hibiscus: Delicate beauty • Red: Love, respect, courage
Holly: Defense, domestic happiness • White: Purity, secrecy
Hollyhock: Fertility • Yellow: Joy, gladness, freedom, jealousy,
Hyacinth: Rashness, play infidelity
Hydrangea: Thank you for understanding, • Rosebud: Youth and beauty
heartlessness, and frigidity Snapdragon: Deception, gracious lady
Iris: Faith and hope Stephanotis: Happiness in marriage
Ivy: Wedded love, fidelity, friendship, affection Stock: Bonds of affection, promptness
Jonquil: Desire, love me Sunflower: Haughtiness
Larkspur: Playful, frivolous Sweet Pea: Goodbye, blissful pleasure, thank you
Lilies: Life, chastity, innocence, purity for a lovely time
Lily of the Valley: Sweetness, humility, return to Tulip: Perfect lover, fame
happiness • Red: Believe me, declaration of love
Magnolia: Nobility • Variegated: Beautiful eyes
Marigold (calendula): Cruelty, grief, jealousy • Yellow: Sunshine and smiles
Mistletoe: Kiss me, affection Violet: Faithfulness and modesty
Monkshood: Beware Wisteria: Will you dance with me?
Moss: Maternal love, charity Zinnia: Lasting affection, constancy, goodness
Narcissus: Egotism, formality
Nasturtium: Conquest Resources
Orchid: Beauty and love The Language of Flowers, Iowa State University Extension
Heilmeyer, Marina. The Language of Flowers: Symbols and Myths. 2001.
Peony: Shame, happy life, and marriage Kirkby, Mandy. A Victorian Flower Dictionary. 2011.
Petunia: Resentment, anger, your presence soothes Durant, Mary. Who Named the Daisy? Who Names the Rose? 1976.

me
Authors
Poppy: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination Bruce J. Black, Horticulture Educator; and
Primrose: I can’t live without you Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Updated November 2022

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