The Language of Flowers

“Youth and Beauty united by the Bonds of Love”

“The Language of Flowers is indeed as old as the hills; yet it can never become old, for every Spring reproduces its characters anew.” 

The use of flowers to send messages and express sentiments flourished in the 19th century, drawing on long historical associations between flowers and emotions. If you’ve been lucky enough to receive a valentine with these hidden meanings, scroll through the images below to decode your message. These meanings have been drawn from two 19th century books: Sarah Josepha Hale’s Flora’s Interpreter: or, the American Book of Flowers and Sentiments (1833) and Robert Tyas’ The Language of Flowers; or, Floral Emblems of Thoughts, Feelings, and Sentiments (1875), from which the quote above is drawn.

Flowers marked with an asterisk can be found growing in our gardens here at the museum. We’re proud to be the newest member of Connecticut’s Historic Gardens.

Anticipation

Anemone

Love of variety

Aster

Send me an answer!

Black Pepper

Unconditional love, compassion

Bleeding Heart *

Constancy

Blue Hyacinth *

early and sincere friendship

Blue Periwinkle *

Faithfulness

Blue Violet

Virtue Makes Her Charming

Bog Laurel

Dignity of Mind

Cabbage Rose

Magnificent Beauty

Calla Lily

Gratitude

Campanula

Distinction

Cardinal’s flower

Grace

China rose

Beloved Daughter

Silvery Cinquefoil

Mental Beauty; Artifice

Clematis

Fidelity

Coral Honeysuckle

Always Cheerful

Coreopsis

Regard

Daffodil *

Elegance and Dignity

Dahlia

Wilt Thou Go With Me?

Everlasting Pea

True Love

Forget-me-not

Jealousy

French Marigold *

Gentility

Geraniuim

She is fair

Gillyflower

Hope

Hawthorn

Devotion

Heliotrope

Foresight (Or Domestic Happiness)

Holly *

Fascination

Honesty

Content

Houstonia/Flowering Bluets

You Will Always Be Lovely

Indian Pink

Message

Iris *

I desire a return of affection

Jonquil *

Acknowledgement

Lavender *

Return of happiness; delicate simplicity

Lily of the Valley

Superior merit

Moss Rose

Ambition

Mountain Laurel *

Charming

Musk Rose

Love in Absence

Myrtle

True Friendship

Oak Geranium

Woman's worth

Orange Blossom

Patience

Ox-eye Daisy *

Remembrance; pleasant thoughts

Pansy *

Give me some hope

Pear

Assignation

Pimpernel

Youth; energy

Pink Rose *

Have confidence in me

Primrose

Temptation

Quince *

Hope in love

Red Campion *

Woman's love

Red Pink *

Evanescent pleasure

Red poppy

Love

Red Rose *

Declaration of Love

Red Tulip *

Safety

Rock Rose

Confession

Rose Bud *

Preference

Rose Geranium

There is everything to be gained by good company

Rose in a tuft of grass

Consumed by love

Rose of Sharon

Bound

Snapdragon *

Friendship in adversity

Snowdrop *

Lofty and Pure Thoughts

Sunflower *

Departure

Sweet Pea

A Smile

Sweet William

I dreamed of thee; deceitful charms

Thorn apple

A Sweet Voice

Tuberose

Beautiful Eyes

Variegated Tulip

You are fair and fascinating

Variegated Pink *

Intellectual excellence

Venetian Sumac

We may be poor but we will be happy

Vernal grass

Female fidelity

Veronica *

Fidelity in misfortune

Wallflower

Eloquence

White water lily

Amiability

White Jasmine

Pleasures of memory

Red Periwinkle

Fraternal love

Woodbine

Parental affection

Wood Sorrel