By combining flowers, various shades of sentiment can be expressed and whole messages conveyed.
For instance—
A camellia, rose and carnation would mean, “Your loveliness attracts me. Smile upon me, and cheer my poor heart.”
Moss rose and myrtle mean, “Your superior merit makes me love you.”
Lily-of-the-Valley and ferns mean, “You fascinate me and my happiness returns.”
Yellow rose and ivy mean, “My love increases, can I hope for matrimony?”
A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the sentiment, “I fear no longer; I hope.” Stripped of leaves and thorns, it signifies, “There is nothing to hope or fear.”
A full-blown rose placed over two buds signifies “Secrecy.” “Yes,” is implied by touching the flower given to the lips. “No,” by pinching off a petal and casting it away. “I am,” is expressed by a laurel leaf, twined around the bouquet. “I have,” by an ivy leaf folded together. “I offer you,” by a leaf of Virginia creeper.
| Flower | Sentiment |
| Acacia | Just love is what I feel. |
| Acacia Rose | Friendship without end. |
| Acanthus | Modesty is your nature. |
| Adonis | Sorrowful remembrances. |
| Agrimony | Thankfulness and love. |
| Almond | Hope for better days. |
| Aloe | Quarrel. |
| Althaea | Consumed by love. |
| Alyssum | Worth beyond beauty is yours. |
| Amaranth | Immortality; devotion. |
| Amaryllis | Splendid beauty is yours. |
| Ambrosia | Love returned brings joy. |
| Anemone | Expectation of desolation. |
| Anemone, Garden | Forsaken by one I love. |
| Angelica | Inspiration; ecstasy. |
| Apple | Temptation to tell all. |
| Apple Blossom | Preference for you. |
| Arbor Vitae | Unchanging friendship. |
| Arbutus | Clinging passion. |
| Arum | Ardor; aspiration. |
| Ash | Grandeur of affection. |
| Ash, Mountain | Prudence and care. |
| Aspen Tree | Lamentation for lost hope. |
| Aster | Thoughts of love of you.
|
| Attricula | Avarice is bad. |
| Azalea | Happiness is mine. |
Bachelor’s Button |
Hope in love for you. |
| Balm | Sympathy; strength of soul. |
| Balm of Gilead | Healing my heart. |
| Balsam | Impatience at delay. |
| Basil | Hatred and disdain. |
| Bay Leaf | Change of heart. |
| Beech | Prosperity with you. |
| Bee Orchis | Error and pain. |
| Bell Flower | Gratitude to you. |
| Belladonna | Coquetry becomes you. |
| Birch Tree | Meekness is a virtue. |
| Bluebell | Fidelity to my love. |
| Box | Constancy; pity. |
| Bramble | Envy of those about you. |
| Broken Straw | Dissension is cruel. |
| Broom | Neatness a virtue. |
| Buckbean | Calm repose to my heart. |
| Bugloss | Falsehood. |
| Buttercup | Riches in your smile. |
Calla Lily |
Feminine beauty is yours. |
| Camellia | Loveliness of soul. |
| Candytuft | Indifference to all but you. |
| Canterbury Bell | Gratitude to you. |
| Cape Jessamine | Ecstasy in your presence.
|
| Cardinal Flower | Distinction. |
| Carnation, yellow or white | Disdain and sorrow. |
| Carnation, red | My poor heart grieves. |
| Catchfly, white | A victim of your spells. |
| Cedar | I live for thee. |
| Cedar of Lebanon | Incorruptible memories. |
| Celandine | Future joys be yours. |
| Cherry Tree | Education of my heart. |
| China Aster | Variety desired. |
| China Pink | Aversion to love. |
| Chrysanthemum, rose | True love. |
| Chrysanthemum, white | Truth will out. |
| Chrysanthemum, yellow | Forever love and happiness. |
| Cinquefoil | Beloved girl. |
| Clematis | Artifice, coquetry. |
| Clover, 4-leaf | Good luck to all. |
| Clover, red | Industry helps. |
| Clover, white | Think of me always. |
| Coboea | Gossip is cruel. |
| Cockscomb | Affectation mars. |
| Coltsfoot | Justice follows. |
| Columbine | Folly to be loved.
|
| Columbine, purple | Resolved to win. |
| Columbine, red | Anxious waiting. |
| Convolvulus Major | Dead hope. |
| Convolvulus Minor | Uncertainty and pain. |
| Corchorus | Impatience to see you. |
| Coreopsis | Love at first sight. |
| Corn | Wealth and joy. |
| Cornelian, Cherry Tree | Durability of love. |
| Cornilla | Success in wooing. |
| Cowslip | Pensiveness. |
| Cowslip, American | My divinity is here. |
| Crape Myrtle | Eloquence in pleading. |
| Cress, Indian | Resignation. |
| Crocus | Cheerfulness with you. |
| Crown, Imperial | Majesty of your glance. |
| Currants | You please me. |
| Cypress | Mourning for you. |
| Cypress and Marigold | Despair in my heart. |
Daffodil |
Chivalry tells. |
| Dahlia | Forever thine. |
| Daisy, Garden | I agree with you. |
| Daisy, Michaelmas | Farewell, my dear. |
| Daisy, white | Innocence and faith. |
| Daisy, wild | I think of you.
|
| Dandelion | Coquetry is not like you. |
| Daphne Odorata | I would have you always. |
| Dead Leaves | Sadness in my soul. |
| Diosma | Uselessness of pleading. |
| Dock | Patience will tell. |
| Dodder | Meanness is despicable. |
Ebony |
Hypocrisy hurts. |
| Eglantine | Healing my heart. |
| Elder | Compassion from you. |
| Elm | Dignity in your attention. |
| Elm, American | Patriotism. |
| Endive | Frugality wins. |
| Eupatorium | Delay no more. |
| Evening Primrose | Inconstancy is pain. |
| Evergreen | Poverty disguised. |
Ferns |
Fascination. |
| Filbert | Reconciliation with you. |
| Fir Tree | Elevation to your heart. |
| Flax | Kindness wins. |
| Flowering Reed | Confidence in you. |
| Forget-me-not | True love. |
| Foxglove | Insincerity disgusts me. |
| Fraxinella | Fire purifies. |
| Fuchsia, scarlet | Taste differs. |
Gardenia |
Ecstasy is mine. |
| Geranium, Apple | Preference for you.
|
| Geranium, Ivy | Happiness will come. |
| Geranium, Nutmeg | A meeting soon. |
| Geranium, Oak | Deign to smile on me. |
| Geranium, Rose | Preference for me. |
| Geranium, Silver Leaf | Recall that word. |
| Gillyflower | Beauty wins. |
| Goldenrod | Be cautious, dear. |
| Gooseberry | Anticipation of evil. |
| Goosefoot | Goodness conquers. |
| Gorse | Affection for you. |
| Grape | Charity at home. |
| Grass | Utility. |
| Guelder Rose (Snowball) | Winter is near. |
Harebell |
Grief sears the soul. |
| Hawthorn | Hope for spring. |
| Hazel | Reconciliation. |
| Heartsease | Think of me. |
| Heartsease, purple | You cheer my thoughts. |
| Health | Solitude is harmful. |
| Helenium | Tears conquer. |
| Heliotrope, Peruvian | Devotion to an ideal. |
| Hellebore | Scandal is ripe.
|
| Hepatica | Confidence wins. |
| Holly | Foresight is best. |
| Hollyhock | Fruitfulness. |
| Hollyhock, white | Ambition will conquer. |
| Honesty (Lunaria) | Sincerity for you. |
| Honeysuckle | Sweet love. |
| Honeyflower | Secret love in my heart. |
| Hop | Injustice hurts. |
| Hornbeam | Ornament. |
| Horse-Chestnut | Luxury will be yours. |
| House-Leek | Economy is best. |
| Houstonia | Content be mine. |
| Hoya (Wax Plant) | Sculpture. |
| Hyacinth, white | Unobtrusiveness wins. |
| Hyacinth, blue | Constancy a blessing. |
| Hyacinth, purple | Sorrow. |
| Hydrangea | Heartlessness grieves. |
Indian Cress |
Resignation. |
| Iris | Message of love. |
| Iris, German | Warmth of heart. |
| Ivy | Fidelity to me. |
Jessamine, Cape |
Joy and rapture. |
| Jessamine, white | Amiability. |
| Jessamine, yellow | Elegance of dress. |
| Jonquil | Return of affection. |
| Juniper | Protection and love.
|
| Justicia | Perfection of duty. |
Kennedya |
Beauty becomes you. |
Laburnum |
Pensiveness. |
| Lady’s Slipper | Win me! I am for you. |
| Lantana | Rigor of conscience. |
| Larch | Boldness of action. |
| Larkspur | Fickleness will lose. |
| Laurel | Glory and fame. |
| Laurestinus | Don’t neglect me. |
| Lavender | Distrust me. |
| Lemon Blossom | Discretion is best. |
| Lettuce | Cruel girl. |
| Lilac | Emotion of love. |
| Lilac, white | Youth and hope. |
| Lily | Modesty becomes you. |
| Lily-of-the-Valley | Happiness is here. |
| Lily, Day | Coquetry harms. |
| Lily, Water | Eloquence tells. |
| Lily, yellow | Gaiety. |
| Linden Tree | Conjugal love. |
| Live Oak | Liberty of action. |
| Locust | Affection for me. |
| London Pride | Frivolity is bad. |
| Love-Lies-Bleeding | Hopeless passion. |
| Lungwort | Life art thou to me.
|
| Lupina | Imagination fails. |
| Lychnis | Feeling for me. |
Madder |
Calumny harms. |
| Magnolia, Chinese | Love of nature. |
| Magnolia | Peerless girl. |
| Magnolia, Swamp | Perseverance wins. |
| Mallow | Mildness is best. |
| Mandrake | Horror of evil. |
| Maple | Reserve of force. |
| Marigold | Cruelty weakens. |
| Marigold, African | Vulgar-minded. |
| Marigold, French | Jealousy pains. |
| Marjoram | Blushes for shame. |
| Meadow-Saffron | Age comes rapidly. |
| Meadow-Sweet | Uselessness of refusing. |
| Mignonette | Charm of love. |
| Minosa | Sensitiveness. |
| Mint | Virtue. |
| Mistletoe | Kisses that delight. |
| Mock Orange (Syringa) | Counterfeit love. |
| Moonwort | Forgetfulness of pain. |
| Moss | Maternal affection. |
| Motherwort | Secret love. |
| Mountain Laurel | Treachery to none. |
| Mulberry, black | I will not survive trouble. |
| Mulberry, white | Wisdom of the heart.
|
| Mullein | Good nature. |
| Mushroom | Suspicion of infidelity. |
| Mustard-seed | Indifference to me. |
| Myosotis | Forget-me-not. |
| Myrtle | Love me always. |
Narcissus |
Egotism harms. |
Peach Blossom |
Marriage with one’s love. |
| Pride of China (Melia) | Worry and pain. |
| Primrose | Youth is jovial. |
| Primrose, Evening | Inconstancy. |
| Privet | Mildness of temper. |
Quince |
Temptation. |
Ragged Robin |
Wit and gaiety. |
| Reeds | Music has charms. |
| Rose | Love will win. |
| Rose, American | You are lovely. |
| Rose, Bridal | Happy love. |
| Rose, Burgundy | Unconscious beauty. |
| Rose, China | Grace is yours. |
| Rose, pink | Smile upon me. |
| Rose, damask | Freshness of youth. |
| Rose, hundred leaved | Pride of innocence. |
| Rose, Moss | Compassion of love. |
| Rose, red | Hastefulness.
|
| Rose, Sweetbrier | Sympathy with you. |
| Rose, Tea | Always lovely. |
| Rose, white | I am worthy of you. |
| Roses, withered | A transient joy. |
| Rose, Wild | Worthy of you. |
| Rose, yellow | Jealousy in my heart. |
| Roses, Garland of | Reward of virtue. |
| Rosebud | You are a girl of taste. |
| Rosebud, white | Innocence. |
| Rue | Disdain me not. |
| Rush | Docility to me. |
Saffron |
Danger threatens. |
| Sage | Esteem me. |
| Satin Flower (Lunaria) | Sincerity. |
| Sensitive Plant | Timidity becomes you. |
| Service Tree | Prudence is best. |
| Shamrock | Light-heartedness. |
| Snapdragon | Presumption of love. |
| Snowball | Thoughts of bliss. |
| Snowdrop | Consolation be mine. |
| Sorrel | Jest not. |
| Southernwood | Jesting is cruel. |
| Spearmint | Warmth of passion. |
| Speedwell | Fidelity. |
| Starwort | Welcome home.
|
| Stock, Ten-week | Promptitude of action. |
| Stramonium | Disguise your feelings. |
| Straw | Agreement with me. |
| Strawberry | Excellence of taste. |
| Strawberry Tree | I esteem you. |
| Sumac | Splendor of thought. |
| Sunflower | An adorer is here. |
| Sweet Pea | Depart not from me. |
| Sweet William | Finesse is necessary. |
| Sycamore | Curiosity to know. |
| Syringa | Memory of the past. |
Tansy |
Forgetfulness. |
| Teasel | Misanthropy. |
| Thistle | Sadness at home. |
| Thorns | Severity of deed. |
| Thyme | Activity will win. |
| Tuberose | Danger is near. |
| Tulips | Declaration of passion. |
Verbena |
Pray for me. |
| Violet, blue | Loving-kindness helps. |
| Violet, white | Modesty and passion. |
Weeping Willow |
Forsaken by all. |
| Witch-Hazel | You cast a spell over me. |
Yew |
Sorrow is mine. |