The Language of Flowers: Sending Secret Messages with Blooms

A flower is not a flower alone; a thousand thoughts invest it.”

Mandy Kirkby, A Victorian Flower Dictionary

Flowers are a great way to greet someone, bid goodbye, mourn a loss, express love, and more. There's a flower for every occasion.

The trick, however, is to pick the right one at the right time. If you want to communicate your message clearly and appropriately, you need to know which flower conveys what sentiment and then pick the right one from your options.

You'll be surprised to see how much the right bouquet can affect your loved ones emotionally. The impact of your gesture completely changes when you pick the right flower that aligns perfectly with the sentiment.

And that's where floriography, or the language of flowers, comes into play.

In this blog, we'll discuss how to select the perfect blooms for various occasions. We'll see what each flower represents, their alternatives, and which to pick to convey your gestures.

What Is Floriography and What Does a Floriographist Do?

Floriography is a form of communication that dates back to the Victorian era. Back then, flowers were used as symbols to convey specific messages and emotions. It was like a coded language for individuals to express feelings of love, sorrow, and friendship discreetly.

A floriographist helps individuals choose the right flowers to embody their intended messages perfectly. This ensures that each floral arrangement communicates the precise sentiment you want to convey.

Understanding Flowers: What Do They Mean?

In Victorian floriography, each flower held a distinct meaning. For instance, lavender stood for devotion, daffodils symbolized new beginnings, hydrangeas expressed gratitude, and daisies conveyed innocence.

Let's look at more flowers and what they mean in detail:

1. Roses

Roses are primarily symbols of love. They're versatile for any romantic or respectful gesture. Each colour has its own meaning:

• Red roses are given to express deep romantic feelings
• Yellow roses signify friendship and joy
• White roses represent purity and innocence

2. Lilies

Lilies have a special meaning. They are often used at funerals because they look serious and beautiful.

These flowers also stand for purity and starting fresh.

This makes them good for sad times and happy occasions, like celebrating new starts or big events.

3. Carnations

Carnations come in many colors, each with its own message.

Red carnations show love and admiration. This makes them great for romantic moments.

White carnations mean good luck and pure love. People often use them at weddings or give them as good-luck gifts.

4. Sunflowers

These vibrant, tall flowers are synonymous with adoration and loyalty. Their resemblance to the sun brings positivity and warmth to any setting. Sunflowers are a great choice to show admiration and loyalty. This makes them ideal for friends and loved ones who brighten your day.

5. Tulips

Popular, especially in the spring, tulips are symbols of perfect love. Each colour tells a different story:

• Red tulips are a bold declaration of true love
• Yellow tulips spread cheerfulness

Tulips are often given to convey comfort and warmth. Hence, they're seen as popular gifting options in many relationships.

Picking Different Flowers for Different Occasions 

When you choose the right flowers for different events, you make sure your message fits perfectly and feels strong. Here's how you can pick the best flowers for each occasion to match the feeling you want to share:

1. Expressing Love without Words

Flowers are a great way to show your love, quietly but strongly.

• Red roses are perfect for deep romantic love.
• Pink roses are great for showing long-lasting affection, admiration, and appreciation.
• For new relationships, lilacs are ideal. It symbolizes the first feelings of love.

2. Apologies and Sympathy: Conveying Compassion and Regret

When you need to say sorry or express sympathy, flowers can convey your sincerity.

• White lilies are perfect for expressing purity and offering condolences.
• Yellow roses help say sorry and show you want to fix things.
• Hyacinths in various colours convey regret and sorrow.

Choose these flowers when you need to show you care and are thinking of someone during tough times.

3. Celebrations and Joyful Occasions

When you're celebrating a big achievement or a joyful occasion, flowers can amplify the happiness. For instance:

• Bright, colourful gerberas stand for cheerfulness, making them ideal for congratulatory messages.
• Irises are great for graduations or promotions, symbolizing admiration and accomplishment.
• Sunflowers also radiate positivity and warmth.

4. Unique and Rare Flowers: For When You Want to Send a Special Message

For moments when a regular bouquet won't do, consider using rare flowers to make a significant impact.

• Orchids represent luxury and strength, perfect for showing admiration and respect.
• Bird of Paradise flowers look exotic and stand for magnificence and joy.

You can use these unusual and striking flowers to make your message memorable and impactful, showing you've gone the extra mile for someone truly special.

The Impact of Color And How It Influences Meaning

Colour plays a key role in conveying messages with flowers. Each colour has its own symbolism and emotional impact. Here's how different colours can help you effectively communicate your feelings:

1. Yellow flowers, such as sunflowers and yellow daisies, are bright and cheerful. They represent friendship, joy, and good health, radiating positivity and warmth.
2. White flowers are often used at funerals and symbolize innocence and sympathy. They convey respect and humility and are suitable for new beginnings or farewells.
3. Red flowers, like roses, are known for their passion and deep love, making them perfect for romantic moments.
4. Pink flowers show gentleness, happiness, and grace. Give them to express admiration and gratitude, ideal for Mother's Day, anniversaries, or saying thanks.
5. Purple flowers are associated with royalty and dignity. People often use these for corporate gifts or significant events to show respect.
6. Blue flowers symbolize peace. Options like blue hydrangeas and delphiniums are used to calm worries. It conveys a sense of steady loyalty.

Creating Your Floral Message: Tips on Selecting the Right Flowers

Selecting the right flowers to convey your sentiments accurately is important when crafting your floral message.

Here's an actionable checklist to help you choose the perfect blooms:

• Identify the Occasion: First, figure out the occasion. Is it joyful, sombre, romantic, or celebratory? This will guide your choice of flowers.
• Consider the Recipient's Preferences: Consider what colours and types of flowers the recipient loves. Adding personal touches makes your floral gift even more special.
• Mix Textures and Sizes: Combine different textures and sizes to create a visually appealing bouquet. This variety enhances the message and the look of the bouquet.
• Colour Choices: Pick colours that match the mood you want to express. Use bright colours for celebrations, soft hues for sympathy, and deep reds for expressing love.
• Add Personal Touches: Deepen the impact of your gesture by including a personal note or pairing the flowers with a small gift.

Flower Care Tips: How to Keep Them Fresh and Vibrant

Expand the longevity of your floral display with these additional care measures:

• Steer clear of direct sunlight to avoid hastening withering and discolouration.
• To keep flowers hydrated and vibrant, keep the room's humidity levels in the right range.
• To keep things tidy, gently brush off any dirt or pollen accumulation from the flower petals.
• To guarantee uniform growth dispersion and sunlight exposure, rotate the vase on a regular basis.
• Apply a floral preservative solution to your flowers to prolong their life and improve their freshness.
• To keep the water clear and stop bacteria from growing, trim any submerged foliage.
• To keep flowers from drying out and drooping, keep them away from dark places or air vents.
• Keep an eye on temperature changes in the space to maintain the ideal conditions for long-lasting flowers.
• Organise flowers according to one type or colour to create a harmonious and eye-catching arrangement.
• Arrange flowers in a tall, thin vase to enhance water absorption and maintain stem integrity.

In addition, to guarantee that the flowers are continuously hydrated, make sure you check the water level frequently and refresh it as necessary. To preserve the general freshness and look of the arrangement, remove the offending flowers right away if you observe any symptoms of wilting or drooping.

Final Words

Floriography and flowers are a unique way to convey your emotions and messages through gestures.

All you need to do is understand the meaning behind different flowers and know how to pick the right ones for the occasion. If you are able to decode this, you can communicate sentiments that words alone might not fully express.

If you're exploring a wide range of floral products for any occasion, Terra Plants and Flowers is your go-to place.

Explore their offerings:

• Get the perfect bouquets for any occasion, be it expressing love and sympathy or celebrating life's milestones.
• Their arrangements are carefully crafted to add elegance to your space.
• They also provide a selection of curated floral gift boxes. This is ideal for making any special moment even more memorable.

Explore our full offerings, including exclusive wedding packages and a rich selection of pots and supplies. Visit their store in Manotick, Ontario, or shop online to find the perfect expression of your feelings, crafted with the expertise that only Terra Plants and Flowers can provide.