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