Floriography
The language of flowers
For centuries, flowers carried the messages people couldn't say out loud. Every bouquet on this site is built from these meanings. Here is the dictionary.
Rose
love and devotion
The rose has meant love since Greek and Roman times, when it was tied to Aphrodite and Venus. Red declares romantic love, pink says admiration and gratitude, white stands for new beginnings, and yellow is the rose of deep friendship.
Peony
good fortune and a happy relationship
In Chinese tradition the peony is the "king of flowers", a symbol of honour, wealth and a happy marriage. Its full, layered bloom stands for a life that keeps opening into more.
Tulip
perfect, uncomplicated love
Tulips are a "perfect love" flower with a softer, calmer voice than roses. White tulips specifically carry the meaning of forgiveness, which is why they belong in every sincere apology.
Sunflower
adoration and loyalty
Sunflowers physically turn to follow the sun across the sky, which made them the flower of adoration, loyalty and unshakeable positivity. You give sunflowers to the person who is the bright spot of your day.
Lily
renewal and devotion
Lilies stand for purity, renewal and devotion. Stargazer lilies add ambition and celebration, which makes lilies the classic flower for big milestones and fresh starts.
Daisy
cheerfulness and true friendship
Daisies are innocence, cheerfulness and loyal love. They are the flower of true friendship: uncomplicated, honest and always glad to see you.
Lavender
calm and serenity
Lavender means serenity, calm and quiet devotion. Its scent measurably lowers heart rate, and the flower carries the same message: rest, I am here, everything is okay.
Orchid
rare, refined beauty
Orchids are rare, refined and a little mysterious: the flower of exotic beauty and strength. Giving an orchid says "there is no one else quite like you."
Carnation
a mother's undying love
Pink carnations are literally the official flower of motherhood: Anna Jarvis chose them for the first Mother's Day in 1907 because they were her mother's favourite. They mean a love that never lets go.
Marigold
auspicious beginnings
In India the genda is the flower of every auspicious beginning: weddings, festivals, new homes, new ventures. Marigolds mean warmth, blessing and the courage of the sun.
Lotus
resilience and rebirth
The lotus grows out of mud and opens spotless every morning, which made it the great symbol of resilience and rebirth. It says: whatever you are going through, you will rise clean.
Anemone
anticipation
Anemones are the flower of anticipation: the windflower that opens when the breeze arrives. Their pale petals around a dark heart mean "I am excited for what comes next", which makes them the quiet sophisticate of any bouquet.
Hyacinth
a sincere apology
The purple hyacinth is the flower of sincere apology, born from the Greek myth of Apollo and Hyacinthus: sorrow, regret, and the ask to be forgiven.
Violet
loyalty and quiet devotion
Violets are the flower of quiet, loyal devotion. In Victorian floriography a violet said "I will always be true", and because the bloom hides its face under heart-shaped leaves it also carries modesty: love that does not need an audience.
Daffodil
new beginnings and hope
The daffodil is the first flower of spring and so the flower of new beginnings and unwavering hope. A single daffodil was once thought unlucky, but a bunch promises joy, which is why they are given for fresh starts.
Lily of the Valley
the return of happiness
Lily of the valley means the return of happiness. Its tiny bells were said to ring in a sweeter season, and in France a sprig handed over on the first of May is a wish for luck and joy for the whole year.
Poppy
remembrance and consolation
The poppy holds two meanings at once: remembrance for those we have lost, and restful sleep or consolation. Given gently, it says "I am still carrying you with me".
Aster
patient, lasting love
Named for the Greek word for star, the aster is the flower of wisdom and patient love. It blooms late, when most flowers are finished, so it carries the idea of affection that lasts past the easy season.
Chrysanthemum
longevity and loyal friendship
The chrysanthemum stands for long life, truth and loyal friendship. It is the flower of autumn, honoured in Japan as a symbol of the sun, and given to say "I wish you many more years".