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" as well as another book Annapurna doesn't have handy right now.

~ 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