
The Language of Flowers

“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
