The Language of Flowers

Victoria’s Dictionary of Flowers

Abutilon (Abutilon) … Meditation

Acacia (Acacia) … Secret love

Acanthus (Acanthus) … Artifice

Agapanthus (Agapanthus) … Love letter

Allium (Allium) … Prosperity

Almond blossom (Amygdalus communis) … Indiscretion

Aloe (Aloe vera) … Grief

Alstroemeria (Alstroemeria) … Devotion

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) … Worth beyond beauty

Amaranth (Amaranthus) … Immortality

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) … Pride

Anemone (Anemone) … Forsaken

Angelica (Angelica pachycarpa) … Inspiration

Apple (Malus domestica) … Temptation

Apple blossom (Malus domestica) … Preference

Aster (Aster) … Patience

Azalea (Rhododendron) … Fragile and ephemeral passion

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) … Everlasting love

Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus) … Single blessedness

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) … Hate

Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) … I change but in death

Begonia (Begonia) … Caution

Bellflower (Campanula) … Gratitude

Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) … Good luck

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae)… Magnificence

Blackberry (Rubus)… Envy

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)… Justice

Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) … Constancy

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) … Passion

Bouvardia (Bouvardia) … Enthusiasm

Broom (Cytisus) … Humility

Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) … Ingratitude

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) … Profit

Cactus (Opuntia)… Ardent love

Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) … Modesty

Camellia (Camellia) … My destiny is in your hands

Candytuft (Iberis) … Indifference

Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) … Constancy

Carnation, pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) … I will never forget you

Carnation, red (Dianthus caryophyllus) … My heart breaks

Carnation, striped (Dianthus caryophyllus) … I cannot be with you

Carnation, white (Dianthus caryophyllus) … Sweet and lovely

Carnation, yellow (Dianthus caryophyllus) … Disdain

Celandine (Chelidonium majus) … Joys to come

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) … Energy in adversity

Cherry blossom (Prunus cerasus) … Impermanence

Chervil (Anthriscus) … Sincerity

Chestnut (Castanea sativa) … Do me justice

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) … Frugality

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum) … Truth

Cinquefoil (Potentilla) … Beloved daughter

Clematis (Clematis) … Poverty

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) … I have loved you and you have not known it

Clover, white (Trifolium) … Think of me

Cockscomb (Celosia) … Affectation

Columbine (Aquilegia) … Desertion

Coreopsis (Coreopsis) … Always cheerful

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) … Hidden worth

Corn (Zea mays) … Riches

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) … Joy in love and life

Cowslip (Primula veris) … Pensiveness

Crab-apple blossom (Malus hupehensis) … Ill-tempered

Cranberry (Vaccinium) … Cure for heartache

Crocus (Crocus) … Youthful gladness

Currant (Ribes) … Thy frown will kill me

Cyclamen (Cyclamen) … Timid hope

Cypress (Cupressus) … Mourning

Daffodil (Narcissus) … New beginnings

Dahlia (Dahlia) … Dignity

Daisy (Bellis) … Innocence

Daisy, Gerber (Gerbera) … Cheerfulness

Dandelion (Taraxacum) … Rustic oracle

Daphne (Daphne) … I would not have you otherwise

Daylily (Hemerocallis) … Coquetry

Delphinium (Delphinium) … Levity

Dianthus (Dianthus) … Make haste

Dittany (Dictamnus albus) … Childbirth

Dogwood (Cornus) … Love undiminished by adversity

Dragon plant (Dracaena) … You are near a snare

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) … Noble courage

Elder (Sambucus) … Compassion

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) … Protection

Euphorbia (Euphorbia) … Persistence

Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) … Inconstancy

Everlasting pea (Lathyrus latifolius) … Lasting pleasure

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) … Strength

Fern (Polypodiophyta) … Sincerity

Fern, maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris) … Secrecy

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) … Warmth

Fig (Ficus carica) … Argument

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) … I feel your kindness

Forget-me-not (Myosotis) … Forget me not

Forsythia (Forsythia) … Anticipation

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) … Insincerity

Freesia (Freesia) … Lasting friendship

Fuchsia (Fuchsia) … Humble love

Gardenia (Gardenia) … Refinement

Gentian (Gentiana) … Intrinsic worth

Geranium, oak-leaf (Pelargonium) … True friendship

Geranium, pencil-leaf (Pelargonium) … Ingenuity

Geranium, scarlet (Pelargonium) … Stupidity

Geranium, wild (Pelargonium) … Steadfast piety

Ginger (Zingiber) … Strength

Gladiolus (Gladiolus) … You pierce my heart

Goldenrod (Solidago) … Careful encouragement

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) … Abundance

Grass (Poaceae) … Submission

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) … Hope

Hazel (Corylus) … Reconciliation

Heath (Erica) … Solitude

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) … Protection

Helenium (Helenium) … Tears

Heliotrope (Heliotropium) … Devoted affection

Hibiscus (Hibiscus) … Delicate beauty

Holly (Ilex) … Foresight

Hollyhock (Alcea) … Ambition

Honesty (Lunaria annua) … Honesty

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) … Devotion

Hyacinth, blue (Hyacinthus orientalis) … Constancy

Hyacinth, purple (Hyacinthus orientalis) … Please forgive me

Hyacinth, white (Hyacinthus orientalis) … Beauty

Hydrangea (Hydrangea) … Dispassion

Ice plant (Carpobrotus chilensis) … Your looks freeze me

Impatiens (Impatiens) … Impatience

Iris (Iris) … Message

Ivy (Hedera helix) … Fidelity

Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium) … Come down

Jasmine, Carolina (Gelsemium sempervirens) … Separation

Jasmine, Indian (Jasminum multiflorum) … Attachment

Jasmine, white (Jasminum officinale) … Amiability

Jonquil (Narcissus jonquilla) … Desire

Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides) … Pensive beauty

Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium) … Capricious beauty

Lantana (Lantana) … Rigor

Larch (Larix decidua) … Audacity

Larkspur (Consolida) … Lightness

Laurel (Laurus nobilis) … Glory and success

Lavender (Lavandula) … Mistrust

Lemon (Citrus limon) … Zest

Lemon blossom (Citrus limon) … Discretion

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) … Coldheartedness

Liatris (Liatris)… I will try again

Lichen (Parmelia) … Dejection

Lilac (Syringa) … First emotions of love

Lily (Lilum) … Majesty

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) … Return of happiness

Linden tree (Tilia) … Conjugal love

Lisianthus (Eustoma) … Appreciation

Lobelia (Lobelia) … Malevolence

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) … Purity

Love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) … Perplexity

Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) … Hopeless but not helpless

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) … You are my life

Lupine (Lupinus) … Imagination

Magnolia (Magnolia) … Dignity

Marigold (Calendula) … Grief

Marjoram (Origanum) … Blushes

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) … Desire for riches

Meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) … My best days are past

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) … Uselessness

Michealmas daisy (Aster amellus) … Farewell

Mignonette (Reseda odorata) … Your qualities surpass your charms

Mimosa (Mimosa) … Sensitivity

Mistletoe (Viscum) … I surmount all obstacles

Mock orange (Pittosporum undulatum) … Counterfeit

Monkshood (Aconitum) … Chivalry

Morning glory (Ipomoea) … Coquetry

Moss (Bryopsida) … Maternal love

Mullein (Verbascum) … Take courage

Mustard (Brassica) … I am hurt

Myrtle (Myrtus) … Love

Narcissus (Narcissus) … Self-love

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) … Impetuous love

Nettle (Urtica) … Cruelty

Oats (Avena sativa) … The witching soul of music

Oleander (Nerium oleander) … Beware

Olive (Olea europaea) … Peace

Orange (Citrus sinensis) … Generosity

Orange blossom (Citrus sinensis) … Your purity equals your loveliness

Orchid (Orchidaceae) … Refined beauty

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) … Joy

Pansy (Viola) … Think of me

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) … Festivity

Passionflower (Passiflora) … Faith

Peach (Prunus persica) … Your charms are unequaled

Peach blossom (Prunus persica) … I am your captive

Pear (Pyrus) … Affection

Pear blossom (Pyrus) … Comfort

Peony (Paeonia) … Anger

Peppermint (Mentha) … Warmth of feeling

Periwinkle (Vinca minor) … Tender recollections

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) … Bury me amid nature’s beauty

Petunia (Petunia) … Your presence soothes me

Phlox (Phlox) … Our souls are united

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) … You are perfect

Pink (Dianthus) … Pure love

Plum (Prunus domestica) … Keep your promises

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) … Be of good cheer

Polyanthus (Primula) … Confidence

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) … Foolishness

Pomegranate blossom (Punica granatum) … Mature elegance

Poplar, black (Populus nigra) … Courage

Poplar, white (Populus alba) … Time

Poppy (Papaver) … Fantastic extravagance

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) … Benevolence

Potato vine (Solanum jasminoides) … You are delicious

Primrose (Primula) … Childhood

Protea (Protea) … Courage

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) … Strength and health

Queen Anne’s lace (Ammi majus) … Fantasy

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) … Temptation

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) … You are radiant with charms

Raspberry (Rubus) … Remorse

Redbud (Cercis) … Betrayal

Rhododendron (Rhododendron) … Beware

Rhubarb (Rheum) … Advice

Rose, burgundy (Rosa) … Unconscious beauty

Rose, moss (Rosa) … Confession of love

Rose, orange (Rosa) … Fascination

Rose, pale peach (Rosa) … Modesty

Rose, pink (Rosa) … Grace

Rose, purple (Rosa) … Enchantment

Rose, red (Rosa) … Love

Rose, white (Rosa) … A heart unacquainted with love

Rose, yellow (Rosa) … Infidelity

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) … Remembrance

Saffron (Crocus sativus) … Beware of excess

Sage (Salvia officinalis) … Good health and long life

Saint-John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) … Superstition

Saxifraga (Saxifraga) … Affection

Scabiosa (Scabiosa) … Unfortunate love

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) … Change

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) … Presumption

Snowdrop (Galanthus) … Consolation and hope

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) … Parental affection

Speedwell (Veronica) … Fidelity

Spirea (Spiraea) … Victory

Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) … Purity

Starwort (Stellaria) … Welcome

Stephanotis (Stephanotis floribunda) … Happiness in marriage

Stock (Malcolmia maritima) … You will always be beautiful to me

Stonecrop (Sedum) … Tranquility

Strawberry (Fragaria) … Perfection

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) … False riches

Sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa) … Simplicity

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) … Delicate pleasures

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) … Gallantry

Tansy (Tanacetum) … I declare war against you

Thistle, common (Cirsium) … Misanthropy

Thrift (Armeria) … Sympathy

Thyme (Thymus) … Activity

Trachelium (Trachelium) … Neglected beauty

Trillium (Trillium) … Modest beauty

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) … Fame

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) … Dangerous pleasures

Tulip (Tulipa) … Declaration of love

Turnip (Brassica rapa) … Charity

Verbena (Verbena) … Pray for me

Vetch (Vicia) … I cling to thee

Violet (Viola) … Modest worth

Wallflower (Cheiranthus) … Fidelity in adversity

Water lily (Nymphaea) … Purity of heart

Waxflower (Hoya) … Susceptibility

Wheat (Triticum) … Prosperity

White Monte Casino (Aster) … Patience

Willow herb (Epilobium) … Pretension

Winter cherry (Physalis alkekengi) … Deception

Wisteria (Wisteria) … Welcome

Witch hazel (Hamamelis) … A spell

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) … Cure for a broken heart

Zinnia (Zinnia) … I mourn your absence