Say It With Flowers

The giving of flowers can help lift a person's spirits when they are feeling down or they can symbolize the love shared between couples or help bring a smile to one who is sick.  This practice has been going on for centuries between couples in love or between members of the family or between good friends.  I have fond memories as a child of staying at my Grandparent's apartment in the city and walking to the corner store with Grandma to get fresh produce and coming home with a new potted Geranium to give to Mom and it's a practice I've tried to be faithful to well into my adulthood especially since the meaning of comfort seemed to really fit.  My parents divorced when I was five years old and comfort was definitely something my mother needed in those early years after my father broke his vows and left.  

Here is a partial list of flowers and their meanings taken from the website “About Flowers” – I focused on those with positive meanings and you can visit their site for the full list.  

Amaryllis                   dramatic

Anemone                    fragile

Apple Blossom           promise

Aster                          contentment

Azalea                        abundance

Baby's Breath            festivity

Bachelor Button         anticipation

Begonia                     deep thoughts

Camellia                    graciousness

Cosmos                     peaceful

Crocus                      foresight

Daffodil                    chivalry

Delphinium               boldness

Freesia                      spirited

Forget-Me-Not         remember me forever

Gardenia                   joy

Geranium                 comfort

Gladiolus                 strength of character

Hibiscus                   delicate beauty

Holly                        domestic happiness

Hyacinth                   sincerity

Hydrangea                perseverance

Iris                            inspiration

Ivy                            fidelity

Jasmine                     grace and elegance

Larkspur                    beautiful spirit

Lilac                         first love

Lisianthus                calming

Magnolia                 dignity

Marigold                  desire for riches

Nasturtium                patriotism

Orchid                      delicate beauty

Pansy                        loving thoughts

Passion flower          passion

Peony                        healing

Poppy                        consolation

Queen Anne's Lace   delicate femininity

Star of Bethlehem      hope

Stephanotis                good luck

Statice                         success

Sunflower                   adoration, loyalty, longevity

Wisteria                      steadfast

Yarrow                        good health

Zinnia                         thoughts of friends

     

Some flowers can have various meanings based on their color or particular variety. 

Carnation

pink for gratitude, red for flashy, striped for refusal, white for remembrance, and yellow for cheerful.

Chrysanthemum

bronze = excitement; white = truth; red for sharing and yellow for secret admirer

Lily

The Calla lily stands for regal; Casablanca for celebration; a Day Lily for enthusiasm; and the exotic Stargazer lily for ambition.

Rose

Pink for friendship; red for passionate love; red & white for unity; white for purity; yellow for zealous.

Tulip 

Pink = caring; purple = royalty; red = declaration of love; white = forgiveness; yellow = hopelessly in love; and violet for faithfulness 

 

 

Upon further reading, the website Meaning of Flowers, the number of flowers can have a meaning.  The site states that normally these following sentiments are done through the giving of roses:

Meaning of one flower – You are my everything
Meaning of two flowers – Let us travel away together
Meaning of three flowers – When will I see you again?
Meaning of four flowers – I look up to you and am grateful to you
Meaning of five flowers – I would do anything for you
Meaning of six flowers – I doubt your words
Meaning of seven flowers – I love you
Meaning of eight flowers – I will be faithful to you until death
Meaning of nine flowers – I want to be alone with you
Meaning of ten flowers – Will you marry me?

12 flowers – The perfect dozen, perfect love
36 flowers – Attachment to ones partner, 36 is one of the most romantic numbers there is.
99 flowers – Love you forever
365 flowers – Loving you every day of the year.

What about our native wildflowers?  There are many beautiful blooms out there if one just takes a walk in a state forest or park where flowers grow wild.  These are sometimes looked upon as weeds but in many cases have served as the source plants for the wide variety of cultivars and varieties plant growers have used to create our garden variety plants.  I’ve grown fond of letting some of the “weeds” have their way in the yard.  As a lover of Nature and wildlife, allowing native flowers to grow supports the animals and require far less care than the various cultivated plants.  I have a new mantra - “Go Native”.  As I research plants I know used to grow wild in my area, I hope to return some of them to my yard.  For the small stand of Goldenrod that now grow on the edge of my yard, I am pleased to see the great variety of butterflies and other insects that come to sip nectar from them.  Joe-pye Weed brings in the swallowtails and Monarchs and provide seeds for the Goldfinches in the fall and a haven of small insect life that feed the dragonflies.  There are a wild variety of interesting blooms out there – some that serve us by providing food or medicine, food for birds and insects or as host plants for the larvae of butterflies.  A small section of cliff abbuting three properties including mine has become a growing spot for a particular type of milkweed.  I've been amazed with the number of wasps and bees coming to nectar on the white flowers and those insects have served as great fun for my macro lens.  Take a look at those “weeds” and see just how interesting or useful and beautiful they can be - not only themselves but for the host of life that will make use of them.  Of course, the types of native wildflowers one finds in a particular location will vary.  However, here is a list of some native flowers and their meaning (resources: Living Art Originals and  Flowerinfo.org )

Bird of Paradise – freedom, good perspective, faithfulness (when woman gives to man)

Black-Eyed Susan encouragement

Buttercup – humility, neatness, childishness

Cattail – peace and prosperity

Dandelion – persistence and strong will

Daisy innocence

Ferns – magic, fascination, confidence

Goldenrod – caution or good fortune, encouragement

Honeysuckle – bond of love, devotion, generosity

Morning Glory – affection

Trillium – healing, joy of spring

 

So, if you are creating greeting cards using flowers as the subject or want to tell someone something in particular, say it with the right flower.