Aloe –Affliction, grief, bitterness
Alstroemaria – you are cleared for landing
Amaranth – unfading love
Amaryllis – pride, haughtiness
Anemones – red- hot blooded
Artemisia — Absence
Apple Blossom – Better things are yet to come
Aster – Variety and diversity
Baby’s Breath – Commitment
Basil – Hatred
Boxwood – Durability and faithfulness
Camellia – Gratitude
Candytuft — Indifference
Carnation – Fascination and love
Centranthus – Support, readiness
Chamomile – Energy in adversity
Chrysanthemum – Red – I love you
Chrysanthemum – White – Truth (Serenity is another definition)
Columbine – Folly
Crocus – New Life
Cyclamen – Modesty and shyness
Dahlia – My gratitude exceeds your care
Daffodil – Regard
Daisy – Innocence and Affection
Dittany of Crete – Birth
Fennel — Strength
Fern – Fascination and sincerity
Flowering Almond – Hope
Forget-me-not – True love and remembrance
Foxglove – Insincerity
Freesia – Allure
Garlic – (Eat my dust)
Geranium (scented) – Cheer up
Geranium Red – Stupidity
Gerbera Daisies – Gladness
Grass – Abundance
Heliotrope – Devotion and faithfulness
Heather – Good luck and fortune
Holly – Am I forgotten?
Honeysuckle – Generosity
Honesty plant – Honesty
Horehound — Fire
Hyacinth – Loveliness
Hydrangea – Boastfulness
Ice Plant – Cold, Your looks freeze me
Impatiens – Touch me not, another “kiss off” flower.
Iris – Warmth of affection
Ivy – Eternal fidelity
Japonica – Loveliness
Jasmine – Amiability
Lavender – Distrust
Laurel – Glory
Lemon Blossom – Fidelity in love
Lilac (white) – Youthful innocence
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness
Love-in-a-mist – Perplexity
Magnolia – Perseverance
Maidenhair – Discretion
Mango – (I am juicy, take me) Fruits are usually a message of generosity
Marigold – Pain, remorse
Mimosa – Sensitivity
Mint – Cordiality
Moss – Maternal happiness
Nasturtium – Patriotism
Orange Blossom – Purity and virginity (not nearly as useful a flower as it used to be)
Parsley – Banquet
Peach Blossom – Captive
Peony – Shame
Pineapple- Hospitality and Welcome
Pinks – Affection
Rhodohypoxis baurii – Childhood
Rose (red) – Love and Beauty
Rose (yellow) – Friendship, and sometimes diminishing love, if Hubbie gives you this, be concerned.
Rose (coral) – Desire
Rose (peach) – Modesty
Rose (dark pink) – Thankfulness
Rose (pale pink) – Grace
Rose (orange) – Fascination
Rose (white) – Innocence and Silence
Rosebud – Confession of love, a wimp’s timid entry into romance
Rosemary – Remembrance and Appreciation
Rue – Disdain
Sage – Esteem
Sea Lavender — Dauntlessness
Snowdrop – Hope and Consolation
Spiderwort – Esteem, but not love (another bad present to bring to your wife)
Statice – Everlasting Love
Star-of-Bethlehem – Guidance
Sweet Pea – Delicate pleasures
Tansy – a declaration against someone, especially good with a three thistle bouquets
Thistle- Retaliation
Thyme – Activity
Tulip – Love and Fame
Tulip – Red – Passion
Tulip – Yellow – hopeless love
Valerian – Accommodating disposition – A good suck up for your teacher
Verbena – Enchantment
Veronica – Fidelity
Violet – Faithfulness
Yarrow – WAR
Yew – Sadness
So make up your own Bridal Shower bouquet for:
- Romantic Invitation or Blatant Seduction
- Arrival of a Baby
- The Eat Garlic and Die
- Suck up to your Boss
- Let’s Just Be Friends bouquet. I call it my Safe Warranty bouquet.
- Then again you might always just need to have a Lets Make War moment as well.
Send me your artistic combinations. The Baby Bouquet might start with tall gerberas with Baby’s Breath and daisies, smaller crocus, rhodohypoxis (lovely flowers) and heather and moss filler.
(C) Herb Senft