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Welcome through Fred’s
Garden Gate! This charming and interesting method of
communicating through the aid of flowers, using their
“language,” their sentiments and being understood by those
who’ve received them, has been in practice since before the birth
of our culture...probably before.
How
sweet is the gift of a single red rose to a young maid from a close
gentleman friend: “I love you!” She, reciprocating with a purple
pansy says, in effect, “You occupy my thoughts.” He, in turn,
responds with an everlasting pea: “Will you go with me?” (“Come, walk this lifelong walk with me”). She replies with a
single, wild daisy, “I’ll think about it.” Encouraged, the
gentleman follows with a shepherd’s purse: “I offer you my
all!” Then he receives a sprig of American laurel: “Words,
though sweet, may deceive” (“Talk is cheap!”). Convinced he must affirm his resolve, he
sends a snip of heliotrope: “I adore
you!” To which she, finally relenting, presents a peach blossom:
“I’m yours!”
Here
from the best sources – to whet your imagination and fuel your romantic inclinations –
a most fascinating list of
flowers and their meanings drawn over the years from long-forgotten
books, articles and interactions with gardeners and educators far
wiser than I.
Clicking on an entry
brings up a simple description and pronunciation
(I'm still
working on linking each entry to the dictionary/pronunciation
database).
Acacia
- Friendship
Acanthus
- Art
Adonis
- Painful recollections
Agrimony
- Gratitude
Alchemilla
- Soft covering
Almonds
- Giddiness; Heedlessness
Aloe
- Bitterness
Amaranth
- Immortality; Unfading
Amaryllis
- Beautiful but timid
Amethyst
(Bush Violet) - Admiration
Anemone
(garden) - Forsaken; Withered hopes
Anemone
(Windflower) - Desertion
Angelica
- Inspiration
Apple
(blossom) - Preference
Arborvitae
- Unchanging friendship
Aruncus - Separate Dwellings
Arbutus - Thee only do I love
Asclepias - Be healed
Ash - Grandeur
Aspen - Sighing
Asphodel - Remembered beyond the tomb
Aster (dbl) - Variety
Aster (lg) - Afterthought; Love of variety
Bachelor's Button - Hope; Single blessedness
Balm/Mint - Pleasantry
Balm of Gilead - Healing; I'm cured
Balsam - Impatience
Basil - Give me your good wishes
Bay leaf - I change but in death
Beech - Lovers' tryst; Prosperity
Begonia - Deformed
Bindweed - Humility; Night
Birch - Grace; Elegance
Bittersweet - Truth
Blackthorn - Difficulties
Bladder Tree - Frivolous friendship
Blue Bell - Constancy
Blue Bottle - Unchanging friendship
Borage - Abruptness
Box (Buxus) - Stoicism
Briers - Envy
Broom - Neatness; Humility
Bryony, Black - Be my support
Buckbean - Calmness; Repose
Bugloss - Falsehood
Bulrush - Docility
Burdock - Touch me not; importunity
Buttercup - Riches; Memories of childhood
Cabbage - Profit
Calla - Delicacy; Modesty
Camellia - Gratitude; Loveliness
Candytuft - Indifference; Architecture
Canterbury Bell - Constancy
Cardinal Flower - Distinction
Carnation - Pure and deep love
Cedar Leaf - I live for thee
Cereus (night) - Transient beauty
China Aster - Love of variety
Chamomile - Energy in adversity
Cherry - A good education
Chestnut - Do me justice
Chicory - Frugality; Economy
Chrysanthemum - A heart left to desolation
Cinnamon - Forgiveness of injuries
Cinquefoil - A beloved daughter
Cistus - Surety
Clover (red) - Industry
Clematis - Mental beauty; Artifice
Clover (white) - I promise
Clover (four-leaf) - Be mine
Cockle - Vain is beauty without merit
Coltsfoot - Justice shall be done you
Columbine (red) - Anxious & trembling
Coreopsis - Always cheerful
Coriander - Hidden Merit
Corn - Riches; Abundance
Cornelian Cherry - Continuance
Cowslip - Pensiveness; Native grace
Cockscomb - Foppery
Crocus - Cheerfulness
Cresses - Stability
Crowfoot - Ingratitude
Currant - Thy frown will kill me
Crown (Imperial) - Power; Birth-pride
Cucumber - Criticism
Cypress - Despair; Mourning
Dahlia - Dignity and elegance
Daffodil - Unrequited love
Daisy (garden) - I share your feelings
Daisy (single) - I will think of thee
Dandelion - Oracle; Coquetry
Datura - Deceitful charms
Dew Plant - Serenade
Dittany of Crete - Birth
Dodder - Meanness; Baseness
Ebony Tree - Blackness
Eglantine - Poetry; I wound to heal
Elder - Compassion
Elecampane - Tears
Everlasting - Always remembered
Everlasting Pea - Wilt thou go with me?
Fennel - Force; Strength
Fern - Sincerity
Fir - Elevation
Flax - I feel your benefits
Flos/Adonis - Painful recollections
Forget-me-not - Do not forget
Foxglove - Insincerity; Occupation
Fraxinella - Fire
Fuchsia - Taste; Frugality
Gentian - Intrinsic worth
Geranium (ivy) - I engage you for the next dance
Geranium (oak) - Melancholy mind
Geranium (rose) - I prefer you
Geranium (scarlet) - Stillness
Gillyflower - Promptness; Lasting beauty
Gladiolus - Ready-armed
Goats Rue - Reason
Gold Basket - Tranquility
Gooseberry - Anticipation
Grapevine - Intemperance
Grass - Utility; Submission
Greek Valerian - Rupture
Goldenrod - Encouragement
Gorse (Turze) - Anger
Harebell - Retirement; Grief
Hawthorn - Hope
Hazel - Reconciliation
Heath - Solitude
Heliotrope - I adore you; Devotion
Henbane - Blemish; Fault
Hibiscus - Delicate beauty
Horehound - Fire
Holly - Foresight; Am I forgotten?
Hollyhock - Ambition; Fecundity
Honey Flower - Sweet and secret love
Honeysuckle - Devoted Love; Fidelity
Hop - Injustice
Hornbeam - Ornament
Horse Chestnut - Luxury
Houstonia - Innocence; Content
Houseleek - Domestic economy
Hyacinth - Constance; Benevolence
Hydrangea - Vainglory; Heartlessness
Ice Plant - Your looks freeze me
Indian Plum - Privation
Iris (common) - A message for thee
Iris (German) - Flame
Ivy - Friendship; Marriage
Jasmine (white) - Amiability
Jasmine (yellow) - Grace & elegance
Jonquil - Desire; Affection returned
Jumper - Asylum; Aid; Protection
Laburnum - Pensive beauty
Ladyslipper - Capricious beauty
Larch - Boldness; Audacity
Larkspur (pink) - Fickleness
Lantana - Rigor
Laurel (American) - Words, though sweet, may deceive
("Talk is cheap!")
Laurel (Mountain) - Glory; Ambition
Laurestine - I die if neglected
Lavatera - Sweet disposition
Lavender - Mistrust
Lemon (blossom) - Discretion
Lettuce - Cold hearted; Coolness
Lichen - Dejection
Lilac (purple) - First emotions of love
Lilac (white) - Youth
Lily (water) - Eloquence
Lily (white) - Majesty; Purity
Lily of the Valley - Return of happiness
Linden - Conjugal; Marriage
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Liverwort - Confidence
Locust - Love beyond the grave
Lotus Leaf - Recantation
Lucerne
- Life
Lupine - Dejection
Madder - Calumny; Slander
Magnolia - Love of Nature
Maiden Hair - Discretion
Marjoram - Blushes
Manchineel Tree - Falseness
Mandrake - Rarity
Maple - Reserve
Marigold - Sacred affection
Marigold (Garden) - Grief; Chagrin
Marigold (Rainy) - A storm
Marigold/Cypress - Despair
Marshmallow - Beneficence
Marvel of Peru - Timidity
Mayflower - Welcome
Meadow Saffron - My best days are past
Mezereum - Desire to please
Mignonette - Your qualities surpass your charms
Milfoil - War
Mint - Virtue
Milkweed - Hope in misery
Mistletoe - I surmount everything
Mock Orange - Counterfeit; Uncertainty
Monkshood - Treachery; A foe is near
Morning Glory - Coquetry; Affection
Mountain Ash - I watch over you
Moss - Maternal Love
Mourning Bride - I have lost all
Mugwort - Good Luck; Happiness
Mulberry (black) - I shall not survive you
Mulberry (white) - Wisdom
Mullein - Good nature
Mushroom - Suspicion
Musk Plant - Weakness
Myrtle - Love in absence
Myrrh - Gladness
Narcissus - Egotism; Self-love
Nasturtium - Patriotism; Splendor
Nettle - Cruelty
Nightshade - Dark thoughts; Sorcery
Oak - Hospitality; Bravery
Oleander - Beware!
Olive - Peace
Orange Flower - Chastity
Orchis (Bee) - Error
Orchis (Spider) - Skill
Osier - Frankness
Osmunda - Reverie
Oxalis - Sour
Pansy (Purple) - You occupy my thoughts
Parsley - Festivity; Banquet
Passion Flower - Devotion; Fervor
Peach Blossom - I am your captive
Peony - Ostentation; Anger
Persimmon - Bury me among Nature's beauties
Peppermint - Warmth and feeling
Pennyroyal - Flee away!
Periwinkle - Sweet memories
Phlox - Our hearts are united
Pimpernel - Rendezvous; Change
Pine - Endurance; Daring
Pineapple - Welcome; You are perfect
Pink (red) - Pure love
Platanus (Sycamore) - Genius
Plum tree - Keep your promises!
Plum (wild) - Independence
Polyanthus - Heart's mystery
Pomegranate - Conceit
Pompion or Pumpkin - Grossness; coarseness
Poplar (black) - Courage
Poplar (white) - Time
Poppy (corn) - Consolation
Poppy (white) - Sleep; Oblivion
Potato - Benevolence
Primrose - Modest worth; Silent love
Privet or Prim - Prohibition
Purple Scabiosa - Mourning
Queen of the Meadow - Uselessness
Quince - Temptation
Ranunculus (Garden) - You are radiant with charms
Reeds - Music
Rest Harrow - Obstacle
Rhododendron - Agitation
Rhubarb - Advice
Rosebud - Confession of love
Rose (Cinnamon) - Without pretension
Rose (Hundred-leaved) - The graces
Rose (Austrian) - Thou art all that is lovely
Rose (leaf) - I never trouble
Rose (Monthly) - Beauty ever new
Rose (Moss) - Superior merit; Voluptuousness
Rose (Musk) - Capricious beauty
Rose (Red) - I love you
Rose (White) - Silence
Rose (single wild) - Simplicity
Rose (Yellow) - Infidelity; Unfaithfulness
Rosemary - Remembrance; Your presence revives me
Rue - Disdain
Rush - Docility
Saffron (Meadow) - My best days are past
Saffron (Crocus) - Do not abuse me
Sage - Domestic virtue; Esteem
St. John's Wort - Animosity
Sardonia - Irony
Satin Flower - Forgetfulness
Scratchweed - Roughness
Scotch Thistle - Retaliation
Sensitive Plant - Sensitivness, Modesty
Serpent Cactus - Horror
Service Tree (Sorb) - Prudence
Shepherd's Purse - I offer you my all
Silverweed - Naiveté
Snapdragon - Presumption
Snowball - Goodness; Thoughts of Heaven
Snowdrop - Consolation; A friend in adversary
Sorrel - Parental affection
Speedwell (Veronica) - Fidelity
Spindle Tree - Your charms are graven on my heart
Star of Bethlehem - Reconciliation; purity
Straw (Broken) - Quarrel
Straw - Agreement; United
Sumac - Splendid misery
Sunflower (tall) - Lofty and wise thoughts
Sunflower - False riches
Sunflower (dwarf) - Adoration
Sweet Flag - Riches
Sweet Pea - A meeting
Sweet Sultan - Happiness
Sweet William - Gallantry; Finesse; Dexterity
Sycamore - Curiosity
Tare - Vice
Teasel - Misanthropy
Thistle - Austerity
Thorn Apple - Disguise
Thrift - Sympathy
Thyme - Activity
Tremella - Resistance
Tuberose - Dangerous pleasure; Voluptuousness; Sweet
voice
Tulip (Variegated) - Beautiful eyes
Tulip (Red) - Declaration of love
Valerian (Common) - Accommodating disposition
Valerian - Facility
Venus' Looking Glass - Flattery
Verbena - Sensibility; Sensitiveness
Verbena (Purple) - Regret; I weep for you
Verbena (White) - Pray for me
Vervain - Enchantment
Vernal Grass - Poor but happy
Vetch - I cling to thee
Violet (Blue) - Faithfulness
Violet (White) - Purity; Candor; Modesty
Volkamenia - May you be happy
Wallflower - Fidelity in misfortune
Weeping Willow - Melancholy
Wheat - Wealth
Whortleberry - Treachery
Willow (Common) - Forsaken
Willowherb - Pretension
Wood Sorrel - Joy
Woodbine - Fraternal love
Wormwood - Absence
Yarrow - Cure for the heartache
Yew - Sadness
Zinnia - I mourn your absence |
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