Southern Living
Gardening Ideas
Plants
The Real Meaning Behind Those Flowers You Give–and Get!

The Real Meaning Behind Those Flowers You Give–and Get!

By Jorie Nicole McDonald

January 28, 2019

Getty/Sean Ellis

Who doesn’t love receiving a bouquet of fresh flowers on Valentine’s Day? They’re a simple and classic reminder that someone is thinking about you. But, have you ever stopped to consider what those beautiful blooms actually mean? Is your sweetheart sending you a hidden message? It turns out that daisies, orchids, roses, and lilies all mean something quite different. In fact, some flowers even have negative connotations. So, be careful when choosing your Valentine’s Day blossoms, folks, because a rose is not simply a rose.

Start Slideshow

1 of 45

Daisy

Getty/Tim Graham/Contributor

Perfect for the fresh and unguarded couple, daisies are the flower of innocence.

2 of 45

Calla Lily

Getty/Santi Visalli/Contributor

This gorgeous, white bloom symbolizes magnificence and beauty. It can also mean purity and rebirth—which is why the Calla Lily is so popular during the Easter season.

3 of 45

Camellia

Getty/Frank Bienewald /Contributor

Faithfulness is the meaning behind this popular flower. If your sweetheart gives you a camellia this Valentine's Day, he's in it for the long haul.

4 of 45

Gardenia

Getty/JTB Photo/Contributor

This precious bloom represents joy and sweetness. If you receive this flower, your Valentine thinks your perfectly lovely in every way.

5 of 45

Hydrangea

Getty/JTB Photo/Contributor

Hydrangeas are the flowers of apology, so if he forgot Valentine's Day, you should expect a bouquet of these beauties on February 15th.

6 of 45

Lilac

Getty/Flowerphotos/Contributor

Representative of youthful bliss, these purple blooms are perfect for the couple whose love hasn't aged a day.

7 of 45

Verbena

Because of their appearance in religious ceremonies throughout history, these delectate blooms say "pray for me".

8 of 45

Amaryllis

Getty/Flowerphotos/Contributor

The amaryllis is often said to represent splendid beauty, and it's also meant to indicate worth beyond physical beauty. So, if you're gifted with this flower, it's truly something special.

9 of 45

Chrysanthemum

Getty/Christopher Furlong/Staff

Chrysanthemum is the flower of optimism. It's easy to be positive when you're in love.

10 of 45

Rose

PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL/Staff

A rose simply represents love, so it's the most classic choice for Valentine's day. Saying "I love you" never goes out of style.

11 of 45

Rhododendron

New Rhododendrons for the South

This stunning bloom actually has a negative connotation; it means "beware".

12 of 45

Peony

Getty/Roberto Machado Noa/Contributor

This stunning, pink bloom symbolizes compassion, and it can represent a great marriage and happy life.

13 of 45

Ranunculus

Getty/GABRIEL BOUYS/Staff

Perfect for the Southern woman, ranunculus is often said to mean radiant charm.

14 of 45

Sunflower

Getty/Sean Gallup/Staff

Symbolizing adoration and delicate love, the sunflower is a brilliant choice for Valentin's Day.

15 of 45

Daffodil

Getty/Ben Pruchnie/Staff

Often associated with regard and chivalry, daffodils are the gentleman's flower.

16 of 45

Sweet Pea

Getty/DEA/RANDOM/Contributor

Sweet pea is the flower of bliss; give it to someone who makes you happy, happy, happy.

17 of 45

Red Carnations

Getty/Sean Ellis

Color means everything when it comes to carnations. White means "sweet and lovely", while red says "I will never forget you", but yellow symbolizes disdain. Be careful with this bloom!

18 of 45

Magnolia

Getty/Wild Horizon/Contributor

Magnolias symbolize nobility, so if your sweetheart presents you with this fragrant, white flower, chances are he'll treat you like a queen.

19 of 45

Orchid

Getty/Nicky Loh/Stringer

Orchids represent rare and exotic beauty; give this to the person who is truly one of a kind.

20 of 45

Chamomile

Andrea Ricordi /Getty Images

Popularized by the relaxing tea blend, Chamomile actually means "energy in adversity".

21 of 45

Tansy

Steven Xiong / Getty Images

These dainty, yellow flowers look quite lovey, but they have a darker meaning: "I declare war on you."

22 of 45

Grape Hyacinth

Courtesy of Getty via JTB Photo for Southern Living

This flower says "please forgive me". Sometimes, a simply apology is all it takes to repair a relationship.

23 of 45

Lavender

Burak Karademir/Getty Images

Perhaps one of the most fragrant blooms, this gorgeous flower symbolizes devotion.

24 of 45

Goldenrod

Mother Nature Network

This bright and cheery bloom represents encouragement.

25 of 45

Hyssop

Photo: Kathy Diemer/A Garden for All

The hyssop symbolizes sacrifice, and it's no secret that with great love comes great sacrifice.

26 of 45

Forget Me Not

Courtesy of Getty via Silvia Reiche for Southern Living

The name says it all. This flower beckons it's recipient to forget me not!

27 of 45

Purple Iris

Jim McKinley/Getty Images

Representing wisdom and respect, receiving this bloom is a bold statement, indeed.

28 of 45

Pansy

Westend61/Getty Images

The pansy is said to symbolize thoughtfulness and remembrance, which is why they are so popular on Veteran's Day.

29 of 45

Nasturtium

Westend61/Getty Images

Although nasturtium is technically not a Valentine's Day flower, the bright bloom holds a special meaning: patriotism.

30 of 45

Heliotrope

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Just when you thought the rose was the most meaningful flower, the heliotrope steals the show; it means eternal love.

31 of 45

Hollyhock

Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson

Don't let its frilly appearance fool you, this flower means "ambition".

32 of 45

Lily-of-the-Valley

David Q. Cavagnaro/Getty

These dainty little bulbs carry the tender message of sweetness.

Account

More

The Real Meaning Behind Those Flowers You Give–and Get!

1 of 45

Daisy

1 of 45

2 of 45

Calla Lily

2 of 45

3 of 45

Camellia

3 of 45

4 of 45

Gardenia

4 of 45

5 of 45

Hydrangea

5 of 45

6 of 45

Lilac

6 of 45

7 of 45

Verbena

7 of 45

8 of 45

Amaryllis

8 of 45

9 of 45

Chrysanthemum

9 of 45

10 of 45

Rose

10 of 45

11 of 45

Rhododendron

11 of 45

12 of 45

Peony

12 of 45

13 of 45

Ranunculus

13 of 45

14 of 45

Sunflower

14 of 45

15 of 45

Daffodil

15 of 45

16 of 45

Sweet Pea

16 of 45

17 of 45

Red Carnations

17 of 45

18 of 45

Magnolia

18 of 45

19 of 45

Orchid

19 of 45

20 of 45

Chamomile

20 of 45

21 of 45

Tansy

21 of 45

22 of 45

Grape Hyacinth

22 of 45

23 of 45

Lavender

23 of 45

24 of 45

Goldenrod

24 of 45

25 of 45

Hyssop

25 of 45

26 of 45

Forget Me Not