A Meaningful Bouquet

Flowers are one of my favorite creations. Some are delicate, some bold and flashy. A few are known for their one distinct color, while others have a wide variety of hues. They are found on trees, bushes, or by themselves. Some grow spontaneously in the wild, but many require the tender care of a gardener. Nature's best accessory is the flower.

We give each other flowers for so many reasons, not all of which are romantic. I've loved the times when I've gotten flowers from one of my parents or a friend, and even the time a stranger stopped me on campus to give me a rose. Who hasn't felt better, happier, or more loved when a gift of flowers was received?

What I personally love most is to receive flowers from my husband. For Valentine's Day this year, he surprised me with a bouquet of light purple roses. Roses are not my favorite flower, however. When we were dating I got laid off from my job. He called me that day and could tell something was wrong, but I didn't want to explain it over the phone, so he told me he was coming over to my apartment. In the meantime, I called my mom and let her know what was going on. As I spoke with her, Ross arrived with a single iris in his hand for me and as I reacted to it, my mom fell in love with him before I even had! So I love irises for their beautiful blue-purple color and for the meaning behind the flower that Ross gave me that day. I included irises in my wedding bouquet and he has surprised me with them numerous times since then.

Flowers mean different things to different people. I am excited to share with you something about flowers from a book I've had since I was a teenager. I adore the "Anne of Green Gables" series. If you know me, you know the writing, the characters, and the era just all fit my personality. (I even started crying in my French class on two different occasions as I read the eighth and final book in the series which is about Anne's youngest daughter. I'm such a sap.)

We went to Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada between my junior and senior year of high school. Even though it's on the west coast and Prince Edward Island, where the books take place, is on the east coast, we found a shop full of merchandise related to the "Anne " books. It included a book called "The Anne of Green Gables Treasury", compiled by two women who had grown up fans as well. It's full of information related to the books that I won't get into here (which you must be grateful for because it's taking me forever to get to my point, isn't it?). There is a section all about--you guessed it--FLOWERS! Here's what it has to say:

"In the Victorian era, a silent but eloquent "language" evolved, using flowers instead of words to express nearly every emotion, from admiration to jealousy. Because flowers allowed people to reveal their feelings for one another in a subtle fashion, men and women could send and receive messages without fear of violating the proprieties of society.
Many dictionaries were published to help in deciphering the meanings of various flowers, but some couples undoubtedly invented their own flower language to ensure the secrecy of their floral communications..."

The book includes pictures of various flowers and their meanings. I find it fascinating and romantic. If you've actually read this far into this long post, I hope you enjoys the meanings! But first, here's an excerpt from the 5th book in the Anne series which takes place when Anne and Gilbert are newlyweds. This exchange is between their neighbor Leslie and a writer who has been boarding in the area as they've just overcome the obstacles that have kept them apart.

"These roses are very late -- they bloom after all the others have gone -- and they hold all the warmth and soul of the summer come to fruition, " said Owen, plucking some of the glowing, half-opened buds. "The rose is the flower of love -- the world has acclaimed it so for centuries. The pink roses are love hopeful and expectant -- the white roses are love dead or forsaken -- but the red roses -- ah, Leslie, what are the red roses?"
"Love triumphant, " said Leslie in a low voice.
"Yes -- love triumphant and perfect."


Dahlia (Dignity; elegance)

Mint (Goodness)

Iris (Message)

Lily-of-the-valley (Return of happiness)

Delphinium (Lightness; levity)

Pansy (Thoughts)

Sweet Pea (Delight)

Bleeding Heart (Yearning)

Rose (Love)

Trillium (Ardour)

Apple blossom (Preference)

Violet (Faithfulness)

Mayflower (Thee only do I love)

Lilac (First love)

Peony (Shyness)

Daisy (Innocence)

Fuchsia (Taste)

Petunia (Modesty)

Snapdragon (Pride)

Geranium (scarlet) (Comfort)

Marigold (Affection)

Geranium (apple-scented) (Meeting)

Hollyhock (Ambition)

Tiger Lily (Gaiety)

Phlox (Our hearts are united)

Chrysanthemum (white) (Truth)

Alyssum (Worth beyond beauty)

Bluebell (Constancy)

Poppy (Consolation)

Bouncing Bet (Flawless)

Daffodil (Admiration; unrequited love)

Aster (Variety)

Goldenrod (Encouragement)

Chrysanthemum (gold) (Slighted love)

Scarlet Lightning (Radiance)

Nasturtium (Selfishness)

Ivy (Friendship; marriage)

Lily (white) (Purity; sweetness)

Tulip (Fame; love)

Southernwood (Jest)

Narcissus (Selfishness)

Pigeonberry (Indifference)

Buttercup (Riches; memories of childhood)

Fern (Sincerity; fascination)

Honeysuckle (Generous affection; devoted love)

Cherry Blossom (Education)

Water Lily (Purity of heart; eloquence)

Muskflower (Charm)

Lavender (Hesitation)

My knowledge of flowers is extremely limited. I have sisters-in-law on both side of the family who took classes in floral arrangement, one of whom has made it a business for weddings. I'm amazed at their expertise and artistry! For my part, I am content to enjoy the beauty and romance that flowers bring to the world.
(And thanks to all the people who took these beautiful pictures, whoever you are.)