The Meanings of Flowers.

Melbourne florist Francine Rizza questions why people worry about the meanings of flowers. If a flower is beautiful then why worry about what some human being with little to do has made of its meaning!

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!