The Language of Flowers - Extension Homemakers

Over the centuries, many flowers and herbs were given traditional meanings so that it is possible to send a message without words. It is known that nomads would send messages consisting of plates of flowers and fruits ahead to let the next oasis know they were on their way. Messages of warnings were sent in the same manner. During the Victorian period, much information was published which made it possible to send a message without words. Dozens of these dictionaries were published to guide people in the making and deciphering of these delightful tussie mussies. These bouquets could be hand-carried, worn in elaborate hair arrangements, pinned to the drape of a gown, tucked in a bodice, or suspended from a belt.

Many herbs and flowers had different meanings, so it was vitally necessary to be able to create or decipher the message of the bouquet properly. The following list gives some of the common herbs and flowers that can easily be used to complete a talking bouquet.

Amaranth globe Arborvitae - Enduring friendship Artemisia Silver King Aster - Variety, Afterthought	Unchangeable Enduring friendship Power, Dignity, Sentimental recollections Variety, Afterthought
Babies Breath Bachelor’s Button Balm, Lemon Basil Bergamot Black-eyed Susan	Pure Heart, Gaiety Single blessedness Sharpens understanding, Sympathy Best wishes, Hatred Your wiles are irresistible Justice
Calendula Carnation Carnation, Pink Carnation, Red Chrysanthemum Coreopsis Clover	Health, Joy, Constancy Fascination, Bonds of love Beauty, Pride Alas for my poor heart Long life, Cheerfulness Ever cheerful, Ever bright Good luck, Hard work
Daisy Daisy, Oxeye Dill Dusty Miller	Innocence, Simplicity A token of affection, Patience Irresistible, Soothing Venerable
Eglantine Evergreen	Sweet Briar Rose I wound to heal, Poetry Poverty
Fennel Fern Feverfew	Worthy of all praise Fascination You light up my life
Geranium, Nutmeg Geranium, Oak-leafed Geranium, Rose Goldenrod	A planned meeting True friendship Preference Precaution, Encouragement
Hollyhock Honesty Honeysuckle Hyssop	Ambitious, Fruitful Love, Sweet and secret Bonds of love, Sweet disposition Cleansing
Indian Pink Ivy	Always lovely Friendship, Wedded love
Jasmine, Yellow Johnny-Jump-Up (Heart’s Ease) Jonquil	Elegance Happy thoughts I desire a return of affection
Kalanchoe	Popularity
Larkspur Lavender Lilac Lily, Yellow Lily-of-the-Valley Lovage Love in a Mist	Levity, Ardent attachment Devotion, Trust, Happiness Humility Falsehood, Gaiety Return of happiness, Purity Strength Perplexity
Marigold Marjoram, Sweet Mint Mint, Pineapple Mock Orange Mugwort	Jealousy Blushes, Consolation, Courtesy Warmth of feeling, Virtue Hospitality, Welcome Brotherly love Travel, Be not weary, Prevents Tiredness
Narcissus Nasturtium	Egotism, Self-love Patriotism
Olive Branch Orange Blossoms	An offering of peace Bridal festivities, Chastity
Pansy Parsley Peppermint Phlox Pink Pink, Clove Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Red	Thoughts Festivity Warmth of feeling Unanimity, Proposal of love Woman’s love Pink, Clove Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Red
Rose Rosebud, Red Rose, Lenten, Rose, Yellow Rosemary Rue	Love, Congratulations, Unity Pure and lovely Cure for melancholy Jealousy Remembrance, Fidelity Repentance, Grace, Virtue
Sage Sage, Pineapple Savory Sorrel Southernwood Spearmint Statice Sweet William	Domestic virtue, Wisdom, Esteem Hospitality Mental powers Affection, Joy Jest, Bantering Warmth of sentiment Good wishes, Gratitude Gallantry
Tansy Thistle Thrift Thyme	I declare against you Austerity Sympathy, Thrift Activity, Bravery, Courage
Verbena, Lemon Verbena, Scarlet Verbena, White Verbena, Pink Violet, Blue Violet, Sweet Virginia Creeper	Responsibility Sensibility, Pray for me Guileless and pure Family union Faithfulness Modesty Ever-changing
Weigela Wisteria Witch Hazel Wormwood	Accept a faithful heart I cling to thee A spell Absence, Bitterness, Protection for travelers
Yarrow Yew	War, Sorrow, Heals Wounds Patience, Perseverance, Sorrow
Zinnia	Thoughts of absent friends

Back to the Language of Flowers

Pictures of chickens, flowers, wheat, a boy looking through a magnifying glass, irrigation pipe, soybean pods, and fruits and vegetables.	Cooperative Extension Service





Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Experiment Station
Search \| Publications \| Jobs \| Personnel Directory \| Links County Offices \| Departments

Pulaski County Extension Homemakers The Language of Flowers

Pulaski County Extension Homemakers
The Language of Flowers