Speaking the Language of Flowers

The Victorians have a reputation for stodgy propriety that has outlived Queen Victoria’s reign by a century. To whit: Who else would cover piano legs out of modesty?

But let me tell you — they knew how to say it with flowers.

Floriography is the language of flowers, a fitting lesson for Valentine’s Day. Victorian suitors sent single flowers or bouquets of carefully-chosen posies, each of which signified a particular message. Etiquette books such as the 1883 “Our Deportment, or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of the Most Refined Society; including Forms for Letters, Invitations, Etc.” served as code breakers. The blushing young recipient of a bouquet no sooner said “Thank you,” than she ran into the back parlor to parse the message of the flowers. And consider the message a young man sends with his choice of buttonhole boutonniere; he could be mildly dashing or wildly daring without saying a word.

To make sure than none of us sends the wrong message on Monday, here is a brief primer on what popular flowers signify. Many of these can be found at you local Maplewood florists including , , and .

• Red roses mean passionate, romantic love, while pink roses mean a slightly more temperate love. White roses mean virtue, and yellow roses signify friendship.
• Daisies mean innocence or friendship.
• Pansies mean thought.
• Daffodils mean mild affection.
• Ivy means fidelity.
• Tulips are a declaration of love. (The tulip is said to look like the eager, amorous face of a swain.)
• Amaryllis means pride.
• Baby's Breath, so often tucked into a bouquet, means everlasting love.
• Carnations mean affection, but this is tricky. Pink means I’ll remember you forever, while yellow carnations signify rejection. A striped carnation, and these are common, means rejection.
• Lilies mean hatred if they’re orange, or purity if they’re white. Be careful there!

When it comes to grouping your pick of posies, take care with roses, especially. A single rose means, simply, “I love you.” Red and white roses together signify togetherness. Wilted roses are a threatening gesture.

For a can’t-go-wrong Valentine’s Day, purple violets mean faithful. Tiny white violets are even better; they say, “Let’s give happiness together a try.”