The Language of Flowers for Valentine's Day

Ageratum, hardy	Delay
Alyssum, sweet	Worth beyond beauty
Amaranth, globe	Immortality; unfading love
American Elm	Patriotism
Anemone, garden	Faith; anticipation
Angelica	Inspiration
Apple Blossom	Preference
Arborvitae	Unchanging friendship
Artemisia, silver king	Power; dignity
Aster	Beauty in retirement
Astilbe	“I’ll still be waiting”
Azalea	First love
Baby’s Breath	Pure heart
Bachelor’s Button	Felicity
Balm, lemon	Healing; rejuvenation
Bamboo	Loyalty; uprightness
Basil	Best wishes
Bay, tree	Glory
Bay, wreath	Reward of merit
Beebalm/Monarda	Compassion; sweet virtues
Bellflower/Campanula	Gratitude
Bells-of-Ireland	Whimsy
Bittersweet	Truth
Black-Eyed Susan	Justice
Bluebell	Constancy
Blueberry	Prayer; protection
Borage	Courage
Bugle/Ajuga	Cheers the heart; most lovable
Burnet, salad	Joy; a merry heart
Buttercup	Cheerfulness
Butterfly Bush/Buddlea	“Let me go”
Caladium	Great joy and delight
Calendula/Pot Marigold	Health; joy
Calla Lily	Panache
Carnation	Admiration; woman’s love
Cedar	Strength
Chamomile	Comfort; patience
Cherry, flowering	Nobility; chivalry
Chickweed	Rendezvous
Chrysanthemum	Cheerfulness; joy
Cinnamon	Love; beauty
Clematis	Ingenuity; mental beauty
Cloves	Dignity
Clover	Good luck
Cockscomb/Celosia	Silliness, humor
Columbine	Folly
Comfrey	Home sweet home
Coneflower	Skill; capability
Coral Bells	Challenge; scholarship
Coreopsis	Always cheerful
Coriander	Hidden worth
Corn	Riches
Cosmos	Modesty
Cranberry	Cure for heartache
Crocus	Youthful gladness
Daffodil	Regard; respect
Dahlia	Gratitude; respect
Daisy	Innocence; simplicity
Dandelion	Wishes come true
Daylily	Coquette; flirt; beauty
Delphinium	Well-being; sweetness
Dill	Irresistible; soothing
Dogwood	Faithfulness
Dusty Miller	Delicacy; venerable
Elderberry	Kindness; compassion; zeal
Elm	Dignity
Everlasting Pea	Lasting pleasure
Fennel	Force; strength; worthy of all praise
Fern	Fascination
Feverfew	Good health
Fig	Peace and prosperity
Fleur-de-Lis/Iris	Message; promise
Forget-Me-Not	True love; hope; remembrance
Forsythia	Good nature
Gardenia	“I love you in secret”
Garlic	Protection; good luck
Gayfeather/Liatris	Gaiety
Geranium	Comfort
Gladiolus	Generosity
Goldenrod	Encouragement
Grape	Domestic happiness
Heartsease/ Johnny-Jump-Up	Happy thoughts
Hibiscus	Delicate beauty
Holly	Foresight
Holly Berries	Christmas joy
Hollyhock	Fruitfulness
Honeysuckle	Bonds of love
Hosta	Devotion
Hyacinth, grape	Usefulness
Hydrangea	Devotion
Hyssop	Cleanliness
Ivy	Fidelity; wedded love
Jonquil	“I desire a return of affection”
Juniper	Protection; welcome to new home
Lamb’s Ear	Softness; gentleness
Larkspur	Levity
Laurel	Success; glory
Lavender	Devotion; happiness
Lemon	Zest; zeal
Lilac	Youth; modesty; acceptance
Lily	Purity
Locust Tree	Elegance
Lovage	Strength
Lupine	Imagination
Magnolia	Love of nature
Mallow	Mildness
Maple	Elegance; keys; beauty
Maple, Japanese	Baby’s hands
Marjoram, sweet	Blushes; mirth; courtesy
Mimosa	Sensitivity
Mint	Warmth of feeling
Mint, lemon	Virtue; homeyness
Morning Glory	The evanescent loveliness of life
Moss	Maternal love
Mugwort	Travel; comfort
Mulberry Tree, white	Wisdom
Mustard Seed	Faith
Myrtle	Love; marriage; home; peace
Myrtle, crepe	Eloquence
Nasturtium	Patriotism
Nigella/Love-in-a-Mist	Independence
Oak, leaves	Bravery; prosperity
Oak, tree	Hospitality
Obedient Plant	Obedience
Palm	Victory
Pansy	Loving thoughts
Parsley	Festivity
Pea, everlasting	Lasting pleasure
Pea, sweet	Tender memory
Peach	Longevity; health
Pear	Affection; health; hope
Peony	Welcome; hands full of cash
Peppermint	Warmth; cordiality
Phlox	“Our souls are united”
Pine	Loyalty; endurance
Pinecone	Fertility; life
Pinks/Dianthus	Sweetness; fascination
Plane Tree/Sycamore	Genius; curiosity
Plum	Peppy; enthusiasm
Plum Tree	Courage; hardiness
Pussy Willow	Friendship; recovery from illness
Queen Anne’s Lace	Haven; protection; “I will return”
Raspberry	Fulfillment; gentleheartedness
Reed	Music
Rocket	Queen of coquettes
Rose	Love; grace; joy
Rosemary	Remembrance
Sage	Wisdom; skill; esteem
Sage, pineapple	Hospitality
Salvia, blue	“I think of you”
Southernwood	Jest
Spearmint	Warmth of sentiment
Speedwell/Veronica	Female fidelity
Spirea	Victory
Statice	Dauntlessness
Strawberry	Perfect goodness; “You are delicious”
Strawflower	Never ceasing
Sweet William	Memory; childhood
Tendrils of Climbing Plants	Ties
Thyme	Activity; bravery; strength
Tulip	Fame; charity; happy years
Verbena	Faithfulness
Verbena, lemon	Attractive to the opposite sex
Violet	Modesty; “I return your love”
Virginia Creeper	“I cling to you both in sunshine and in shade”
Walnut	Intellect; strength of mind
Weigela	Accept a faithful heart
Wheat	Friendliness; prosperity
Willow	Freedom; serenity; friendship
Wisteria	Welcome fair stranger
Wormwood	Protection for travelers
Yarrow	Health; dispels melancholy
Zinnia	Thoughts of absent friends

SOURCES:

Hemphill, Rosemary. A Gift Book of Herbs and Herbal Flowers. Storey Communications, Inc.

Koch, Maryjo. Herbs: Delectables for All Seasons. Swans Island Books, 1997.

Kowalchik, Claire, and Hylton, William H., ed. Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Rodale Press, 1987.

Pickston, Margaret. The Language of Flowers. Beric Press Ltd., 1968.

Seguin-Fontes, Marthe. The Language of Flowers. Sterling Publishing, 2001.

Compiled by: JoAnn White, Tulsa Herb Society, 2008.