In Victorian times, certain flowers had specific meanings because the flower selection was limited and people used more symbols and gestures to communicate than words. Have you heard the statement, "away with the fairies", however I believe this statement came about in regard of a certain state of mind if you know what I mean!



Today, with so many flower choices, there are no rules, it's the sentiment that gives the gift its meaning. Many people assign their own personal meanings, a flower or colour that might remind them of a special event or moment in their lives.

In my opinion you should only question if that flower will suit that particular persons personally and give thought to their home decor.

A very butch lesbian is unlikely to desire soft pink roses teamed with gypsophelia. Such flowers are best purchased for the more feminine types and it seems from my experience in our Melbourne florist that age has no bearing on this choice.

If you are visiting your florist for the purpose of purchasing flowers for an old lady then it is best you choose soft pastel colored flowers, especially as their homes are unlikely to be decorated in bright colors. That doesn't mean that you need to choose insipid colors in your flowers, but best your choice not be too overwhelming either.

If unsure of what flowers go together simply ask your florist to assist you in choosing your flowers. If your florist is unwilling to assist then perhaps you are in the wrong florist shop. Go source a better one! A good florist will generally have flowers grouped together to help inspire their customers.

Florists usually recommend corporate clients choose long life flowers for their office or showroom display. Tropical flowers, lilium and Australian native flowers are a good choices in these situations as they must be able to withstand variations in air conditioning which are often quite warm.

Now if you are pedantic and still persist to want to know the so called meanings of flowers here are a few;

ACACIA. Concealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste Love

AGAPANTHIS. Secret Love

AMBROSIA. Your Love is Given Back/Returned

AMARYLLIS. Pride, Pastoral Poetry

ANEMONE. Forsaken, sincerity

ARBUTUS. Thee Only Do I Love

ASTER. Symbol of Love, Daintiness

AZALEA. Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood

BACHELOR BUTTON. Single Blessedness

BEGONIA. Beware

BELLS OF IRELAND. Good Luck

BITTERSWEET. Truth

BLUEBELL. Humility

CACTUS. Endurance

CALADIUM. Great joy and delight

CAMELLIA. Good luck gift for a man

CAMELLIA (PINK). Longing for you

CAMELLIA (RED).You're a Flame in My Heart

CAMELLIA (WHITE). You're Adorable

CARNATION (GENERAL). Fascination, Woman Love

CARNATION (PINK). I'll Never Forget You

CARNATION (RED). My Heart Aches For You, Admiration

CARNATION (PURPLE). Capriciousness, Whimsical

CARNATION (SOLID COLOR). Yes

CARNATION (STRIPED). No, Refusal, Sorry I Can't Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You

CARNATION (WHITE). Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift

CARNATION (YELLOW). You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection

CATTAIL. Peace, Prosperity

CHRYSANTHEMUM (GENERAL). You're a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest.

CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE). Truth

CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW). Slighted Love

CROCUS. Cheerfulness, gladness

CYCLAMEN. Resignation and Good-bye

DAFFODIL. Respect, Regard, Unrequited Love, You're the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining when I'm with You

DAISY. Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity

DANDELION. Faithfulness, Happiness

FERN. Magic, Fascination, Confidence and Shelter

FIR. Time

FLAX. Domestic Symbol

FORGET ME NOT. True Love, Good Memories

FORSYTHIA. Anticipation

FREESIA. Trust

GARDENIA. You're Lovely, Secret Love

GERANIUM. Stupidity, Folly

GLADIOLI. Give Me a Break, I'm Really Sincere, Flower of the Gladiators

GLOXINIA. Love at First Sight

HEATHER (LAVENDER). Admiration, Solitude

HEATHER (WHITE). Protection, Wishes Will Come True

HOLLY. Defence, Domestic Happiness

HONEYSUCKLE. Happiness

HYACINTH (GENERAL). Games and Sports, Rashness, Flower Dedicated to Apollo

HYACINTH (BLUE). Constancy

HYACINTH (PURPLE).- I am Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow

HYACINTH (RED OR PINK). Play

HYACINTH (WHITE). Loveliness, I'll pray for you

HYACINTH (YELLOW). Jealousy

HYDRANGEA. Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness

IRIS. Fleur de lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means so Much to Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Velour, My Compliments

IVY. Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection

JONQUIL. Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned

LARKSPUR (PINK). Fickleness

LILY (WHITE). Virginity, Purity, Majesty, its Heavenly to be with you

LILY (YELLOW). I'm walking on Air, False and Gay

LILY (CALLA). Beauty

LILY (DAY). Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mother

LILY (EUCHARIS). Maiden Charms

LILY (TIGER). Wealth, Pride

LILY OF THE VALLEY. Sweetness, Tears of the Virgin Mary, Return to Happiness, Humility, You've Made My Life Complete, beauty, gaiety

MAGNOLIA. Nobility

MARIGOLD. Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy

MISTLETOE. Kiss me, Affection, To Surmount Difficulties, Sacred Plant of India

MONKSHOOD. Beware, A Deadly Foe is near

MOSS. Maternal Love, Charity

MYRTLE. Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage

NARCISSUS. Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are

NASTURTIUM. Conquest, Victory in Battle

OLEANDER. Caution

ORANGE BLOSSOM. Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness

ORANGE MOCK. Deceit

ORCHID. Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children, Thoughtful, Maturity, Charm

ORCHID (CATTLEYA). Mature Charm

PALM LEAVES.- Victory and Success

PEONY. Shame, Happy Life, Happy Marriage

PETUNIA. Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Sooths Me

PINE. Hope, Pity

POPPY (GENERAL). Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination

POPPY (RED). Pleasure

POPPY (WHITE). Consolation

POPPY (YELLOW). Wealth, Success

PRIMROSE. I Can't Live Without You

PRIMROSE (EVENING). Inconstancy

ROSE (BRIDAL). Happy Love

ROSE (DARK CRIMSON). Mourning

ROSE (HIBISCUS). Delicate Beauty

ROSE (LEAF). You May Hope

ROSE (PINK). Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me

ROSE (RED). Love, I Love You

ROSE (TEA). I'll Remember Always

ROSE (THORNLESS). Love at First Sight

ROSE (WHITE). Innocence and Purity, I am Worthy of You, You're Heavenly, Secrecy and Silence

ROSE (WHITE AND RED MIXED). Unity, Flower Emblem of England

ROSE (WHITE-DRIED). Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue

ROSE (YELLOW). Decrease of Love, Jealousy, Try to Care

ROSEBUD. Beauty and Youth, a Heart Innocent of Love

ROSEBUD (RED). Pure and Lovely

ROSEBUD (WHITE). Girlhood

ROSEBUD (MOSS). Confessions of Love

ROSES (Bouquet of Mature Blooms). Gratitude

ROSES (Single Full Bloom). I Love You, I Still Love You

SMILAX. Loveliness

SNAPDRAGON. Deception, Gracious Lady

SPIDER FLOWER. Elope with Me

STEPHANOTIS. Happiness in Marriage, Desire to Travel

STOCK.- Bonds of Affection, Promptness, You'll Always Be Beautiful to Me

SUNFLOWER. Pride, Sunshine

SWEETPEA. Good-bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely Time

TULIP (GENERAL). Perfect Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland

TULIP (RED). Believe Me, Declaration of Love

TULIP (VARIEGATED). Beautiful Eyes

TULIP (YELLOW). There's Sunshine in Your Smile

VIOLET. Modesty

VIOLET (BLUE). Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I'll Always Be True

VIOLET (WHITE). Let's Take a Chance

VISCARIA. Dance with Me

WISTERIA. Welcome

ZINNIA (MAGENTA). Lasting Affection

ZINNIA (MIXED). thinking (or In Memory) of an Absent Friend

ZINNIA (SCARLET). Constancy

ZINNIA (WHITE). Goodness

ZINNIA (YELLOW). Daily Remembrance

Melbourne florist continues; well you can surely see what I mean about the so-called meanings of flowers. It is a load of rubbish made up by someone who no doubt at the time was surely unemployed and very high on narcotics sitting in the sun making daisy chains!

If you care to waste your time researching this subject on the internet you will discover that the so called meanings of flowers are diverse.

At some point of time there must have been a lot of people around high on narcotics wasting their lives away worrying about the meanings of flowers. Amazing what those marijuana flowers can do to the mind!

If you wish to go with their guidelines you may well have to request the florist send a written explanation to accompany your flowers. However please don't blame me if the person to whom you are sending flowers comes to the conclusion that you are more than a little strange!