Gardening Ideas Plants The Real Meaning Behind Those Flowers You Give–and Get! By Jorie Nicole McDonald Jorie Nicole McDonald Jorie Nicole McDonald leads editorial video efforts for Southern Living. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she creates engaging visual content for the website and various social media platforms. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: 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. 01 of 50 Daisy Getty/Tim Graham/Contributor Perfect for the fresh and unguarded couple, daisies are the flower of innocence. 02 of 50 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. 03 of 50 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. 04 of 50 Gardenia Getty/JTB Photo/Contributor This precious bloom represents joy and sweetness. If you receive this flower, your Valentine thinks you're perfectly lovely in every way. 05 of 50 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. 06 of 50 Lilac Getty Images/Johner Images Representative of youthful bliss, these purple blooms are perfect for the couple whose love hasn't aged a day. 07 of 50 Verbena Verbena Because of their appearance in religious ceremonies throughout history, these delicate blooms say "pray for me". 08 of 50 Dahlia Photo: Alison Miksch Have a friend who is feeling down, and you want to remind her of her strength and beauty? Give her dahlias, flowers that stand out in a crowd, just like your bestie. 09 of 50 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. 10 of 50 Chrysanthemum Getty/Christopher Furlong/Staff Chrysanthemum is the flower of optimism. It's easy to be positive when you're in love. 11 of 50 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. 12 of 50 Clematis Jacky Parker Photography/Getty Images If you receive purple clematis, you admirer holds you in high esteem: the color of the flower and its ability to climb to great heights symbolizes royalty. 13 of 50 Rhododendron New Rhododendrons for the South This stunning bloom actually has a negative connotation; it means "beware". 14 of 50 Larkspur Credit: Getty/stocknshares This is a sweet one—larkspur symbolizes first love. 15 of 50 Peony Getty/Roberto Machado Noa/Contributor This stunning, pink bloom symbolizes compassion, and it can represent a great marriage and happy life. 16 of 50 Ranunculus Getty/GABRIEL BOUYS/Staff Perfect for the Southern woman, ranunculus is often said to mean radiant charm. 17 of 50 Sunflower Getty/Sean Gallup/Staff Symbolizing adoration and delicate love, the sunflower is a brilliant choice for Valentine's Day. 18 of 50 Cosmos Photography by Alexandra Rudge/Getty Images The definition of the Greek word kosmos is harmony or order, and the cosmos' beautifully fringed petals and hues of pink, white, and lavender radiate harmony. 19 of 50 Daffodil Getty/Ben Pruchnie/Staff Often associated with regard and chivalry, daffodils are the gentleman's flower. 20 of 50 Sweet Pea Getty/DEA/RANDOM/Contributor Sweet pea is the flower of bliss; give it to someone who makes you happy, happy, happy. 21 of 50 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. 22 of 50 Poppy Getty Images/Lauren Burke These glorious yet fragile flowers are a symbol of remembrance, especially when honoring wartime sacrifice. 23 of 50 Orchid Getty/Nicky Loh/Stringer Orchids represent rare and exotic beauty; give this to the person who is truly one of a kind. 24 of 50 Chamomile Andrea Ricordi /Getty Images Popularized by the relaxing tea blend, Chamomile actually means "energy in adversity". 25 of 50 Tansy Steven Xiong / Getty Images These dainty, yellow flowers look quite lovey, but they have a darker meaning: "I declare war on you." 26 of 50 Grape Hyacinth Courtesy of Getty via JTB Photo for Southern Living This flower says "please forgive me". Sometimes, a simple apology is all it takes to repair a relationship. 27 of 50 Lavender Szabolcs Kiss/EyeEm/Getty Images Perhaps one of the most fragrant blooms, this gorgeous flower symbolizes devotion. 28 of 50 Goldenrod Mother Nature Network This bright and cheery bloom represents encouragement. 29 of 50 Hyssop Photo: Kathy Diemer/A Garden for All The hyssop symbolizes sacrifice, and it's no secret that with great love comes great sacrifice. 30 of 50 Forget-Me-Not Courtesy of Getty via Silvia Reiche for Southern Living The name says it all. This flower beckons its recipient to forget-me-not! 31 of 50 Purple Iris Jim McKinley/Getty Images Representing wisdom and respect, giving this bloom is a bold statement indeed. 32 of 50 Pansy Westend61/Getty Images The pansy is said to symbolize thoughtfulness and remembrance, which is why they are so popular on Veteran's Day. 33 of 50 Nasturtium Westend61/Getty Images Although nasturtium is technically not a Valentine's Day flower, the bright bloom holds a special meaning: patriotism. 34 of 50 Heliotrope Photo: Ralph Anderson Just when you thought the rose was the most meaningful flower, the heliotrope steals the show; it means eternal love. 35 of 50 Hollyhock Photo: Ralph Lee Anderson Don't let its frilly appearance fool you, this flower means "ambition." 36 of 50 Lily-of-the-Valley David Q. Cavagnaro/Getty These dainty little bulbs carry the tender message of sweetness. 37 of 50 Yellow Rose Sharon Mccutcheon/EyeEm/Getty Images A yellow rose is meant to symbolize warm feelings of friendship. So, while it's a beautiful flower, it is probably not the best choice for Valentine's Day. 38 of 50 Cornflower Lisa Schaetzle /Getty Images This dainty blue bloom holds a special meaning, blessing. 39 of 50 Zinnia Ananya Apairach / EyeEm/Getty Images Long-lasting affection is the beautiful meaning behind this cheery bloom. 40 of 50 Black-Eyed Susan Getty While the name of this yellow beauty is a bit odd, the meaning is something special: justice. 41 of 50 Honeysuckle Hsvrs/Getty Images This fragrant flower is said to represent the bonds of love. 42 of 50 Red Tulip PhotoPlus Magazine/Getty Images A great alternative to the classic rose, red tulips are a bold declaration of love. 43 of 50 Morning Glory Photo: Wynn Myers; Styling: Sara Oswalt/Sisterbrother MGMT You should feel very special if you are gifted with a morning glory on Valentine's Day because they represent affection. 44 of 50 Valerian Getty Images Your sweetheart could be trying to send a message with this flower; it means readiness. 45 of 50 White Clover De Agostini Picture Library/Getty Images The white clover is often seen as a wish for good luck and great energy. A welcomed gift, indeed! 46 of 50 Echinacea Sandra Clegg/Getty Images If you get a bouquet of echinacea, you can feel good about the future of yourself and your relationship: the flower symbolizes strength and health. 47 of 50 White Jasmine Courtesy of Kazuo Ogawa/Aflo via Getty for Southern Living The fragrance of the white jasmine is almost as lovely as its meaning: sweet love. 48 of 50 Purple Crocus Courtesy of DEA / RANDOM via Getty for Southern Living The purple crocus is one of the first signs that spring is near, so it makes sense that the blossom represents youthful happiness. 49 of 50 Yarrow Credit: Getty/stocknshares Simplicity is key. This dainty, yellow flower simply represents love. 50 of 50 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! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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