Learn the language of flowers to say exactly how you feel

Whether you’re sending flowers for a special occasion, to cheer somebody up or just because you want to share that flower feeling, there are some hidden messages behind every flower. So, when you’re giving a floral gift, it might be useful to know the language of flowers.

Known as floriography, the language of flowers became popular in the UK during Victorian times when learning the symbolism and meaning behind each flower became a popular hobby. Of course, there are some meanings we all know, such as roses being the symbol of love. But what about sunflowers, peonies, tulips and all the other flowers we choose to send our loved ones?

The meaning of Lilies
When we think of lilies, we might think of them being symbols of sympathy – after all, they are commonly used for funeral arrangements and sympathy bouquets. But there is more to lilies than you might think.

White lilies symbolise rebirth, purity and modesty, which is why they feature heavily in funeral flowers, but this meaning also makes them popular in wedding arrangements. Then we have the coloured lilies which bring fresh bursts of colour to their arrangements. For femininity, it’s the pink lily; orange lilies for confidence; and yellow for gratitude. Then we have the red lily – a symbol of love, making it a wonderful alternative to roses at Valentine’s.

The meaning of carnations
Their ruffly texture makes them a firm favourite in bouquets, generally symbolising pride and beauty. But with many different colours to choose from, what do the other colours of carnations symbolise?

Pink carnations are said to symbolise motherly love, so it’s definitely the flower to pick for Mother’s Day. White carnations can be the symbol of innocence, as well as good luck. And red carnations are the symbol of admiration and love – another option for Valentine’s Day or just to let that special someone know how you feel.

The meaning of tulips
Providing us with the first splashes of colour after Winter, tulips are the sign that Spring has arrived, which is why we proudly display bunches of tulips throughout those early Spring weeks. But they’ve not always been so affordable – hundreds of years ago, some tulip bulbs were actually more valuable than gold!

When it comes to choosing the best colour for your occasion, there’s plenty of choice with tulips. For happiness, it’s yellow tulips, which is why they make such popular standalone bunches. Purple tulips symbolise royalty, pink tulips show caring and good wishes, and white tulips are the best way to say sorry. Red tulips, as you might have guessed, are another way to say ‘I love you’.

The meaning of peonies
They’re a firm favourite in the early days of summer, with their large fluffy petals and soft delicate shades of pink adorning arrangements across the country. But they’re not around for long, with their season lasting less than two months every year. That’s why we make the most of them during that time.

As the symbol for compassion, a happy life, a joyful marriage and good health and prosperity, peonies make the perfect gift for the short time they’re in season – as well as being a popular choice for wedding arrangements.

The meaning of Roses
The most popular choice every Valentine’s Day, the deep red rose is the perfect way to tell somebody how you feel. But there’s more to roses than that special day each February.

While red roses are the symbol of love and romance, other colours give roses a variety of meanings. Popular for wedding flowers, the white rose represents innocence and purity, while yellow roses are for friendship and pink roses for gratitude.

Now you know what all of your favourite flowers are said to symbolise, browse our collection and discover the perfect letterbox flowers to capture your feelings in the best way.