The Language of Flowers

While it's always LOVELY to receive a huge bunch of beautiful flowers, what I love more is the thought behind it.

Whether the giver wants to tell someone how much they love them, is thinking of someone who is going through a tough time, it's someone's birthday, or they are just simply wanting to send some happy flowers, we are often privileged to be part of this beautiful act of giving.

There is a loooong history in the beginnings of flowers having meanings, going back thousands of years. More "recently", Shakespeare gave meaning to flowers in some of his plays, and the world of "Floriography" became popular in Britain, Europe, and the United States in the 1700's and 1800's.

What a beautiful thought, now, to give flowers, not just for their beauty, but for their meanings too! Here are a few flowers that we use a lot of at Floreat, and the meanings behind them.

Love - Apple blossom, red roses (of course :)), cosmos, sweet violets, geranium

Joy - Wattle

Inner strength - Dahlia

Unrequited love - Daffodil, Dogwood

Will you marry me? - Blushing Bride

Support - Daisies

Unconditional love - Paper daisies

New Love - Cornflowers

Good luck - Sweet peas, Tree peonies, Stephanotis, Lavender

Friendship - yellow rose

Courage - Waratah, king protea

Just a few years ago - not many people knew there was so much meaning behind the flowers in Kate Middleton's wedding bouquet. She carried Lily of the valley to symbolize the return of happiness; Sweet William for gallantry (and of course the name :)); hyacinths for constancy of love; ivy for fidelity, marriage, friendship and affection; and myrtle, the emblem of marriage and love.

There are so many different meanings and flowers attributed to these. We have a beautiful book on our website that list them in more detail - The Gift of Flowers by Cheraldyn Darcey.

And if you have any special requests for flowers with any meaning, in any of our bouquets, we'd love to include these for you and make a note of it on your card when they are delivered to!! Wouldn't that be a nice thought!!

All images (except of Kate's bouquet) by Elise Hassey for Floreat