Gentry/The Floriographer/Flower Language

Flower Language

The information on this page was derived from Mandy Kirkby's "A Victorian Flower Dictionary: the Language of Flowers Companion".

Traditionally, The Floriographer will sculpt his chosen beauties, male or female, toward a particular flower based on their existing temperament, new messages he intends to grow, or based on flaws he would prefer to rid them of. Arcadia being Arcadia, the Changeling's will and determination can, and does, affect just what s/he will end up being, but defy him too strongly and it's to the compost heap you go, food for beasts and far less pleasant things.

~ A ~

Abutilon (Abutilon) - Meditation

Acacia (Acacia) - Secret Love

Acanthus (Acanthus) - Artifice

Agapanthus (Agapanthus) - Love Letter

Agrimony (Agrimonia) - Gratitude

Allium (Allium) - Prosperity

Almond Blossom (Amygdalus communis) - Indiscretion

Aloe (Aloe vera) - Grief

Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria) - Devotion

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) - Worth Beyond Beauty

Amaranth (Amaranthus) - Immortality

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) - Pride

Anemone (Anemone) - Forsaken, Abandonment, Love That is Fleeting & Will Not Last

Angelica (Angelica pachycarpa) - Inspiration

Apple (Malus domestica) - Temptation

Apple Blossom (Malus domestica) - Preference

Aster (Aster) - Patience

Azalea (Rhododendron) - Fragile & Ephemeral Passion

~ B ~

Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata) - Everlasting Love

Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus) - Single Blessedness

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) - Hate

Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis) - I Change Only in Death

Begonia (Begonia) - Caution

Bellflower (Campanula) - Gratitude

Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) - Good Luck

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) - Magnificence

Blackberry (Rubus) - Envy

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) - Justice

Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta) - Constancy

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) - Passion

Bouvardia (Bouvardia) - Enthusiasm

Broom (Cytisus) - Humility

Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) - Ingratitude

~ C ~

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) - Profit

Cactus (Opuntia) - Ardent Love

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) - Modesty

Camellia (Camellia) - My Destiny Is In Your Hands; Love, Singular & All-Embracing

Candytuft (Iberis) - Indifference

Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium) - Constancy; Faith (esp. religious)

Carnation [pink] (Dianthus caryophyllus) - I Will Never Forget You

Carnation [red] (Dianthus caryophyllus) - My Heart Breaks; Strong Avowal of Love

Carnation [striped] (Dianthus caryophyllus) - I Cannot Be With You

Carnation [white] (Dianthus caryophyllus) - Sweet & Lovely; Tender Affection

Carnation [yellow] (Dianthus caryophyllus) - Disdain

Celandine (Chelidonium majus) - Joys to Come

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - Energy in Adversity; Courage to Survive

Cherry Blossom (Prunus cerasus/Prunus serrulata) - Impermanence; Life is Fleeting; Enjoy the "now"; Celebrate the Present Moment

Cherry, Winter (Physalis alkekengi) - Deception

Chervil (Anthriscus) - Sincerity

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) - Do Me Justice

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) - Frugality

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum) - Truth; Perfection; Honest Character (esp. if white)

Cinquefoil (Potentilla) - Beloved Daughter

Clematis (Clematis) - Poverty

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) - I Have Loved You & You Have Not Known It

Clover [white] (Trifolium) - Think of Me

Cockscomb (Celosia) - Affectation

Columbine (Aquilegia) - Desertion

Coneflower [purple] (Echinacea purpurea) - Strength & Health

Coreopsis (Coreopsis) - Always Cheerful

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) - Hidden Worth

Corn (Zea mays) - Riches

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) - Joy in Love & Life

Cowslip (Primula veris) - Pensiveness

Crab-Apple Blossom (Malus hupehensis/Malus sylvestris) - Ill-Tempered

Cranberry (Vaccinium) - Cure for Heartache

Crocus (Crocus) - Youthful Gladness

Currant (Ribes) - Thy Frown Will Kill Me

Cyclamen (Cyclamen) - Timid Hope

Cypress (Cupressus) - Mourning; Grief; Perpetual Loss/Grief; Mortality & End Thereof

~ D ~

Daffodil (Narcissus) - New Beginnings; Renewal; Hope after Unlucky Things

Dahlia (Dahlia) - Dignity

Daisy (Bellis) - Innocence; Lack of Worldliness; Purity; Contempt for Worldly Goods

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - Rustic Oracle

Daphne (Daphne) - I Would Not Have You Otherwise

Day Lily (Hemerocallis) - Coquetry

Delphinium (Delphinium) - Levity

Dianthus (Dianthus) - Make Haste

Dittany (Dictamnus albus) - Childbirth

Dogwood (Cornus) - Love Undiminished by Adversity

Dragon Plant (Dracaena) - You Are Near a Snare

~ E ~

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) - Noble Courage

Eglantine (Rosa rubiginosa) - I Wound to Heal; Pleasure; Pain [a.k.a. Sweet Briar/Briar Rose]

Elder (Sambucus) - Compassion

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) - Protection

Euphorbia (Euphorbia) - Persistence

Evening Primrose (Oenothera) - Inconstancy

Everlasting Pea (Lathyrus latifolius) - Lasting Pleasure

~ F ~

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - Strength

Fern (Polypodiophyta) - Sincerity

Fern, Maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris) - Secrecy

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) - Warmth

Fig (Ficus carica) - Argument

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) - I Feel Your Kindness

Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis) - Forget Me Not

Forsythia (Forsythia) - Anticipation

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) - Insincerity

Freesia (Freesia) - Lasting Friendship

Fuchsia (Fuchsia) - Humble Love

~ G ~

Gardenia (Gardenia) - Refinement

Gentian (Gentiana) - Intrinsic Worth

Geranium [oak-leaf] (Pelargonium) - True Friendship

Geranium [pencil-leaf] (Pelargonium) - Ingenuity

Geranium [scarlet] (Pelargonium) - Stupidity

Geranium [wild] (Geranium) - Steadfast Piety

Gerber Daisy (Gerbera) - Cheerfulness

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - Strength

Gladiolus (Gladiolus) - You Pierce My Heart

Goldenrod (Solidago) - Careful Encouragement

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) - Abundance

Grass (Poaceae) - Submission

~ H ~

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - Hope

Hazel (Corylus) - Reconciliation; Language; Diplomacy

Heath (Erica) - Solitude

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) - Protection

Helenium (Helenium) - Tears

Heliotrope (Heliotropium) - Devoted Affection; Faithful & Constant Love

Hibiscus (Hibiscus) - Delicate Beauty

Holly (Ilex) - Foresight; Protection from Misfortune

Hollyhock (Alcea) - Ambition

Honesty (Lunaria annua) - Honesty

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) - Devotion

Hyacinth [blue] (Hyacinthus orientalis) - Constancy

Hyacinth [purple] (Hyacinthus orientalis) - Please Forgive Me

Hyacinth [white] (Hyacinthus orientalis) - Beauty

Hydrangea (Hydrangea) - Dispassion

~ I ~

Ice Plant (Carpobrotus chilensis) - Your Looks Freeze Me

Impatiens (Impatiens) - Impatience

Iris (Iris) - Message; Messenger; Hope

Ivy (Hedera helix) - Fidelity; Steadfastness

~ J ~

Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) - Come Down

Jasmine [Carolina] (Gelsemium sepervirens) - Separation

Jasmine [Indian] (Jasminum multiflorum) - Attachment

Jasmine [white] (Jasminum officinale) - Amiability

Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla) - Desire

~ L ~

Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides) - Pensive Beauty

Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium) - Capricious Beauty

Lantana (Lantana) - Rigour

Larch (Larix decidua) - Audacity

Larkspur (Delphinium consolida) - Lightness; Uplifting; Play; Joy

Laurel (Laurus nobilis) - Glory & Success

Lavender (Lavandula) - Mistrust

Lemon (Citrus limon) - Zest

Lemon Blossom (Citrus limon) - Discretion

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) - Coldheartedness

Liatris (Liatris) - I Will Try Again

Lichen (Parmelia) - Dejection

Lilac (Syringa) - First Emotions of Love

Lily (Lilium) - Majesty

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) - Return of Happiness

Linden Tree (Tilia) - Conjugal Love

Lisianthus (Eustoma) - Appreciation

Lobelia (Lobelia) - Malevolence

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) - Purity

Love-in-a-Mist (Nigela damascena) - Perplexity

Love-Lies-Bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) - Hopeless but not Helpless

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) - You Are My Life

Lupin (Lupinus) - Imagination

~ M ~

Magnolia (Magnolia) - Dignity

Marigold (Calendula) - Grief; Sadness; Distress

Marjoram (Origanum) - Blushes

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) - Desire for Riches

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum autumnale) - My Best Days Are Past

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) - Uselessness

Michaelmas Daisy (Aster amellus) - Farewell

Mignonette (Reseda odorata) - Your Qualities Surpass Your Charms; Inner Virtue

Mimosa (Mimosa) - Sensitivity

Mistletoe (Viscum) - I Surmount All Obstacles

Mock Orange (Philadelphus) - Counterfeit

Monkshood (Aconitum) - Chivalry

Morning Glory (Ipomoea) - Coquetry

Moss (Bryopsida) - Maternal Love; Presence; I'll Never Desert You

Moss Rose (Rosa) - Confession of Love

Mullein (Verbascum) - Take Courage

Mustard (Brassica) - I Am Hurt

Myrtle (Myrtus) - Love; Inspiring Love

~ N ~

Narcissus (Narcissus) - Self-Love

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) - Impetuous Love; Haste; Without Fear of Tomorrow

Nettle (Urtica) - Cruelty

~ O ~

Oats (Avena sativa) - Witching Soul of Music

Oleander (Nerium oleander) - Beware

Olive (Olea europaea) - Peace

Orange (Citrus sinensis) - Generosity

Orange Blossom (Citrus sinensis) - Your Purity Equals Your Loveliness; Uncomplicated Loveliness

Orchid (Orchis) - Refined Beauty

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) - Joy

~ P ~

Pansy (Viola) - Think of Me; Tender Attachment; Compassion; Concern

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) - Festivity

Passionflower (Passiflora) - Faith (esp. religious)

Peach (Prunus persica) - Your Charms Are Unequalled

Peach Blossom (Prunus persica) - I Am Your Captive

Pear (Pyrus) - Affection

Pear Blossom (Pyrus) - Comfort

Peony (Paeonia) - Anger

Peppermint (Mentha) - Warmth of Feeling; Protection

Periwinkle (Vinca minor) - Tender Recollections

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) - Bury Me Amid Nature's Beauty

Petunia (Petunia) - Your Presence Soothes Me

Phlox (Phlox) - Our Souls Are United

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) - You Are Perfect

Pink (Dianthus) - Pure Love

Plum (Prunus domestica) - Keep Your Promises

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) - Be Of Good Cheer

Polyanthus (Primula elatior) - Confidence

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) - Foolishness

Pomegranate Blossom (Punica granatum) - Mature Elegance

Poplar [black] (Populus nigra) - Courage

Poplar [white] (Populus alba) - Time

Poppy (Papaver) - Fantastic Extravagance; Beauty

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) - Benevolence

Potato Vine (Solanum jasminoides) - You Are Delicious

Primrose (Primula) - Childhood

Protea (Protea) - Courage

~ Q ~

Queen Anne's Lace (Ammi majus) - Fantasy

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) - Temptation

~ R ~

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) - You Are Radiant With Charms

Raspberry (Rubus) - Remorse

Redbud (Cercis) - Betrayal

Rhododendron (Rhododendron) - Beware

Rhubarb (Rheum) - Advice

Rose [burgundy] (Rosa) - Unconscious Beauty

Rose [orange] (Rosa) - Fascination

Rose [pale peach] (Rosa) - Modesty

Rose [pink] (Rosa) - Grace

Rose [purple] (Rosa) - Enchantment

Rose [red] (Rosa) - Love

Rose [white] (Rosa) - Heart Unacquainted With Love

Rose [yellow] (Rosa) - Infidelity

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Remembrance; Remedy Against Forgetfulness; Immortality of the Soul

~ S ~

Saffron (Crocus sativus) - Beware of Excess

Sage (Salvia officinalis) - Good Health & Long Life

Saxifrage (Saxifraga) - Affection

Scabious (Scabiosa) - Unfortunate Love

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) - Change

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) - Presumption

Snowdrop (Galanthus) - Consolation; Hope; Calmer of Fears; Happiness Will Return

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) - Parental Affection

Spiraea (Spiraea) - Victory

Speedwell (Veronica) - Fidelity

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - Superstition

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) - Purity

Starwort (Stellaria) - Welcome

Stephanotis (Stephanotis floribunda) - Happiness in Marriage

Stock (Malcolmia maritima) - You Will Always Be Beautiful To Me

Stonecrop (Sedum) - Tranquillity

Strawberry (Fragaria) - Perfection

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) - False Riches

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) - Delicate Pleasures

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) - Gallantry

~ T ~

Tansy (Tanacetum) - I Declare War Against You

Thistle (Cirsium) - Misanthropy; Stay Away From Me; Defiance

Thrift (Armeria) - Sympathy

Thyme (Thymus) - Activity

Trachelium (Trachelium) - Neglected Beauty

Trillium (Trillium) - Modest Beauty

Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) - Fame

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) - Dangerous Pleasures

Tulip (Tulipa) - Declaration of Love

Turnip (Brassica rapa) - Charity

~ V ~

Verbena (Verbena) - Pray For Me [a.k.a. Vervain]

Vetch (Vicia) - I Cling To Thee

Violet (Viola odorata) - Modest Worth; Humility

~ W ~

Wallflower (Cheiranthus) - Fidelity in Adversity (lovers & religious alike)

Water Lily (Nymphaea) - Pure of Heart; Perfection; Goodness

Waxflower (Hoya) - Susceptibility

Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) - Melancholy; Mourning; Affliction; Sorrow

Wheat (Triticum) - Prosperity

Willowherb (Epilobium) - Pretension

Wisteria (Wisteria) - Welcome

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) - Spell

~ Y ~

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - Cure for a Broken Heart

~ Z ~

Zinnia (Zinnia) - I Mourn Your Absence