The Language of Flowers, Part Two

Yesterday. I wrote about the Language of Flowers, one of the Victorian era traditions long ago forgotten. But wouldn’t it be fun to send messages to those you love through the beauty of flowers?

There are so many ways to incorporate special messages with flowers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to pick specific flowers for wedding arrangements? Certain meanings could be “written” into the bride’s bouquet, but also into the groom’s boutonniere and the bridesmaids flowers too. Who said they had to match?? Instead, a bride could choose special-sentiment flowers and include a written interpretation of her feelings with each floral arrangement. How wonderful to show one’s affection and admiration by presenting a one-of-a-kind floral statement!

Just by combining your choice of the flowers, herbs, fruits and plants listed here, you can send secret messages! Or, since there are specific meanings to certain trees, plant a tree for a friend!

Here’s a beginning list of flowers that will help you build bouquets, corsages or full-sized floral arrangemenets:

Acanthus . . . . the fine arts
Agrimony . . . . . thankfulness, gratitude
Almond, Flowering . . . . hope
Allspice . . . . compassion
Alyssum . . . . worth beyond beauty
Amaranth, Globe . . . . immortality, unfading love
Amaryllis . . . . pride, timidity, splendid beauty
American Cowslip . . . . divine beauty
American Elm . . . . patriotism
American Linden . . . . matrimony
Anemone . . . . expectation
Angelica . . . . inspiration, magic
Apple . . . . temptation
Apple Blossom . . . . preference, fame
Apricot Blossom . . . . doubt
Arbor-vitae . . . . unchanging friendship
Arbutus . . . . thee only do I love
Ash, Mountain . . . . prudence, with me you are safe
Ash Tree . . . . grandeur
Azalea . . . . temperance
Bachelor’s Button . . . . celiibacy
Balsam, Red cure , . . . . relief
Balsam, Yellow . . . . impatience
Barberry . . . . sharpness of temper
Basil . . . . hatred
Beech tree . . . . prosperity
Birch . . . . meekness
Bittersweet . . . . truth
Bluebell constancy, . . . . sorrowful regret
Borage . . . . bluntness
Branch of Currents . . . . you please all
Bridal Rose . . . . happy love
Broom humility, . . . . neatness
Bud of White Rose . . . . a heart ignorant of love
Burdock . . . . touch me not
Buttercups . . . . riches
Butterfly weed . . . . let me go
Cabbage . . . . profit
Cactus . . . . warmth
Camelia, White . . . . . . perfected loveliness
Candytuft . . . . indifference
Carnation, deep red . . . . Alas! for my poor heart
Carnation, striped . . . . refusal
Carnation, yellow . . . . disdain
Cardinal Flower . . . . distinction
Cedar . . . . strength
Chamomile . . . . energy in adversity
Cherry tree, White . . . . good education
Chickweed . . . . rendezvous
Chicory . . . . frugality
Chrysanthemum, red . . . . I love
Chrysanthemum, white . . . . truth
Chrysanthemum, yellow . . . . slighted love
Clematis . . . . mental beauty
Cloves . . . . dignity
Clover, Red . . . . industry
Clover, White . . . . promise, think of me
Columbine, purple . . . . resolved to win
Columbine, red . . . . anxious and trembling
Coreopsis . . . . always cheerful
Coriander . . . . hidden worth
Corn . . . . riches
Cornflower . . . . delicacy
Cowslip . . . . grace, youthful beauty
Cranberry . . . . cure for heartache
Crocus . . . . impatience
Currant . . . . Thy frown will kill me
Cyclamen . . . . diffidence

This is just a beginning of the list - I could show pages and pages of special meanings through the Language of Flowers. Amazine how the Victorians figured out their own way of speaking through plants, trees, herbs and spices, bushes and vines. Various versions of this old book are still available, so if you are have an interest in this “antique” way of sending messages, try to find your own copy and have some fun!