What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Flower meanings are symbolic traditions, not botanical facts or a universal code. In Victorian floriography—the historical practice of assigning meanings to flowers—a red rose could stand for love while a daffodil could signify unrequited love. The nine examples below draw on documented Victorian and Western references; treat them as inspiration, since meanings vary by source, color, culture, and context.
How flower meanings took shape
The popular flower-language tradition is often traced to Charlotte de la Tour’s French book Le langage des fleurs (1819), which the Royal Horticultural Society says listed about 300 meanings. Later British and American writers adapted the system, and their interpretations did not always agree. Some Victorian flower books also treated how blooms were arranged or presented as meaningful.
#1 Best Overall
- 524 PREMIUM SEEDS – BRILLIANT COLOR, FAST GROWTH: This large pack includes 524 USA-packed, high-germination Zinnia Dahlia seeds that bloom into stunning double flowers in red, pink, orange, white, and more. Easy to grow, beginner-friendly, and perfect for bouquets, borders, and containers. Blooms in just weeks and lasts all summer!
- A TRUE GARDEN ARISTOCRAT WITH STRIKING FORM: Zinnia Dahlia is a radiant floral showstopper, beloved for its uniquely bold shape and opulent floral structure. Each bloom evokes a sense of floral nobility with plush, layered petals arranged in a near-geometric sphere. This variety of zinnia has earned its place among the top ten most cherished garden flowers, widely appreciated across the United States and beyond.
- RED FOR EXCEPTIONAL COLOR, SHAPE, AND VARIETY: Decades of horticultural development have resulted in this magnificent line of Zinnia Dahlia seeds. Carefully selected to represent the best of modern breeding, this variety offers a visual spectacle of rich tones and impressive structure. The blooms are large and fully double, featuring countless tightly arranged petals that radiate with saturated color. Each flower opens like a celebration—vivid, elegant, and unforgettable.
- EXPLOSION OF COLOR IN EVERY PLANT: This seed mix produces a stunning range of shades including snow white, coral, salmon pink, lavender, purple, bright orange, cream-yellow, cherry red, scarlet, deep crimson, and plum. Two-toned blooms with dramatic edging offer even more visual interest. Whether planted in clusters or as a standout specimen, Zinnia Dahlia puts on a breathtaking display all summer long.
- LARGE PACK FOR FULL GARDEN COVERAGE: Each seed pack includes approximately 524 premium Zinnia Dahlia seeds, giving you enough to plant a wide area—ideal for garden borders, flower beds, or large landscape designs. Enjoy continuous blooms and a high return on planting. This makes them an ideal value choice for mass planting or sharing with friends and family.
That history does not prove that Victorian people routinely sent coded bouquets. The Government of Canada’s Language Portal notes that it is unclear whether Victorians actually used flower vocabularies to create bouquets expressing their feelings; the symbolism is more clearly documented in the work of writers, artists, poets, and jewellers. The New York Botanical Garden describes meanings arising from a plant’s appearance or character, cultural associations in folklore, mythology, art, and literature, and the choices of flower-language authors.
9 flowers and their attributed meanings
This is a curated historical selection, not a definitive list. The entries reflect the cited references and their traditions rather than a message guaranteed to be understood by every recipient.
Rank #2
- Freshest Zinnia Seeds: Groundio zinnia seeds are sown directly into the garden after the last frost and are easy to grow, they require little care. Not heading can promote more flowering, We offer the freshest seeds to enhance the quality of your garden, we ensure a high germination rate, 99% pure live seed, no filler
- Attract Pollinators: These flowers will attract pollinators to the garden, such as many beautiful butterflies, bumblebees, bees, ladybugs etc. It can beautify the environment and keep your garden alive!
- High Germination Rate: We meticulously test the germination rates of our seeds to ensure that a high proportion of the seeds you plant will successfully sprout and grow. These wildflowers grow well in spring. They grow to an average height of 24 to 30 inches, covering 272 SQ. FT, about 5-14 days to germination, 40-50 days to flower
- High Quality Packaging: Our seed packs are resealable and provide optimal storage conditions to keeps seeds fresh. Our packaging material is aluminum foil, waterproof and moisture resistant. The planting instructions are displayed on the back of each package, You can also use our online guide to Learn how to grow wildflowers like a professional gardener
- Great Gift Choice: Zinnia seeds make an ideal holiday gift. Perfect for Birthdays, Mothers' and Fathers' Days, Weddings, Thanksgiving Day, Valentine's Day and so on. You can also make the perfect combination of wildflower seeds for kids. Planting hummingbird and butterfly garden seeds is an easy and educational way to do it
| Flower | Attributed meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Red rose | Love | The RHS lists love for the red rose; the Metropolitan Museum of Art also describes the rose as a major symbol of love. |
| Lily of the valley | Return of happiness | A meaning listed by the RHS. |
| Daffodil | Unrequited love | This meaning appears in references from both the Government of Canada and Denver Botanic Gardens. |
| Daisy | Simplicity | A meaning in the historical list reproduced by the Government of Canada. |
| Lotus | Forgetfulness | A meaning in the historical list reproduced by the Government of Canada. Other traditions give the lotus different associations, so this should not be read as a universal interpretation. |
| Myrtle | Wedded bliss | The Government of Canada’s historical list gives this meaning; the RHS also associates myrtle with marriage and love in its discussion of royal bouquets. |
| Pansy | Loving thoughts | A meaning in the historical list reproduced by the Government of Canada. |
| Violet | Modesty | A meaning in the historical list reproduced by the Government of Canada. |
| Hyacinth | Sorrow | A meaning in the historical list reproduced by the Government of Canada. |
Why the same flower can mean different things
Floriography was assembled from more than one source of symbolism. A flower’s scent, appearance, habitat, or medicinal uses could influence an association; folklore, mythology, religion, literature, and art shaped others. Early authors also assigned meanings according to their own systems. As a result, different books may give one flower different meanings, or distinguish among colors and varieties.
Color can matter within a particular guide. Denver Botanic Gardens, for example, lists pale pink roses as grace and dark pink roses as thankfulness. These are source-specific associations, not fixed meanings shared across every tradition. The Met notes that Victorian writers could combine flowers to adjust a bouquet’s message, while some books also attached significance to presentation and placement.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteQuick Recap
Best Value
- Freshest Wildflower Seeds: Our hummingbird and butterfly wildflower mix includes 24 beautiful annual, perennial and biennial plants. We offer the freshest seeds to enhance the quality of your garden, we ensure a high germination rate, 99% pure live seed, no filler
- Attract Pollinators: These flowers will attract pollinators to the garden, such as many beautiful butterflies, bumblebees, bees, ladybugs etc. It can beautify the environment and keep your garden alive!
- High Germination Rate: We meticulously test the germination rates of our seeds to ensure that a high proportion of the seeds you plant will successfully sprout and grow. These wildflowers grow well in spring and summer. They grow to an average height of 12 to 48 inches, covering 194 SQ.FT, about 5-10 days to germination, 35-75 days to flower
- High Quality Packaging: Our seed packs are resealable and provide optimal storage conditions to keeps seeds fresh. Our packaging material is aluminum foil, waterproof and moisture resistant. The planting instructions are displayed on the back of each package, You can also use our online guide to Learn how to grow wildflowers like a professional gardener
- Great Gift Choice: Groundio wildflower seeds make an ideal holiday gift. Perfect for Birthdays, Mothers' and Fathers' Days, Weddings, Thanksgiving Day, Valentine's Day and so on. You can also make the perfect combination of wildflower seeds for kids. Planting hummingbird and butterfly garden seeds is an easy and educational way to do it
Rank #4
- Pollinator Attraction: Milkweed flowers are known for attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They produce a sweet nectar that is particularly enticing to monarch butterflies, which lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants.
- 5 Packets: This collection includes Showy Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias speciosa), Pink Swamp Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias incarnata), White Swamp Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias incarnata), Orange Butterfly Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias tuberosa) & Common Milkweed Seeds (Asclepias syriaca.)
- Ecological Importance: Milkweed is crucial for the survival of monarch butterflies, providing not only nectar but also foliage for caterpillars to feed on. The presence of milkweed in an ecosystem supports biodiversity and is vital for the monarch's life cycle.
- Quality: All Milkweed seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
- Quantity: Seed Needs offers generous quantities. You can share with friends and family, or you can save the extra seeds until the following season, if properly stored.
Rank #3
- Extra large packet contains over 1 full ounce of pure live seeds (3,000+ seeds!) Enough to cover 75 square feet
- Fresh and healthy seeds with high germination rates make growing your garden quick, easy, and fun
- Premium Packaging designed for optimal seed storage, with resealble zipper, beautiful photos, and full planting instructions; Great for gift giving
- Quality seeds your can trust; non-GMO, open polinated, from the USA, 100% pure live seeds
- Big colorful blooms from this heirloom mix grow a bursting abundance of red, pink, purple, orange, yellow and white flowers 5" across
How to use a flower meaning in a bouquet
- Name the tradition. If you are choosing flowers for a historical or symbolic message, say that the interpretation comes from a Victorian or other named tradition.
- Check the source’s details. Confirm the flower, color, and any arrangement guidance in the same reference; do not assume another guide uses the same code.
- Explain your intent. A short note makes a personal meaning clear and avoids asking the recipient to decode an uncertain symbolism.
- Choose for the person, too. A flower’s personal significance, appearance, or suitability may matter more than a historical definition.
Sources for the meanings and history
- Royal Horticultural Society: Flower meanings
- Government of Canada, Language Portal: The language of flowers
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Language of Flowers
- New York Botanical Garden: Floriography
- Denver Botanic Gardens: The language of flowers
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
