No matter what the occasion may be: choosing the right flowers for a romantic gift plays a big role in accurately conveying appreciation, love, affection or a similar message. As the saying goes, flowers say more than a thousand words.
But you don't want to put your foot in it and send a completely wrong signal, do you? For example, do you think that a rose is just a rose and can't think of any other flower alternatives? Then you should definitely read on now.
In this post, you'll learn what the most popular Valentine's Day flowers really mean and how to make the perfect choice for a wonderful bouquet of flowers for any occasion or get it right the next time you send flowers .
Peonies
by Poupou l'quourouce [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Peonies , also peonies , bloom mainly in May and are often the absolute stars in the bed. Their flowers are particularly large and magnificent, smell good and delight with opulent flowers in white, yellow, pink or red.
Meaning and message:
These fluffy flowers are associated with a variety of meanings and interpretations - most commonly associated with romance, prosperity and shyness. An ancient Greek legend says that the god of Greek mythology, Apollo, turned beautiful nymphs into peonies whenever the jealous Aphrodite found out that he was flirting with them. Some also believe that they are a good luck charm, bringing good luck and blessings to whoever receives them.
Ranunculus
by 4028mdk09 [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The colorful ranunculus can be found early in the year at florists and garden centers, where they are advertised as colorful pot decorations for the terrace and balcony. So if you want a colorful living ambience in spring, ranunculus is the right choice. They are still easy to care for and bloom long and tirelessly.
Meaning and message:
These colorful flowers with the characteristic swirls, also buttercups , symbolize charm, charisma, attraction and charisma. Give a bouquet of these beauties to a loved one and you will let the recipient know, “I am overwhelmed by your charms”. It's almost impossible to give a nicer compliment.
Gerberas
photographed by Heike Tillmann, via Wikimedia Commons
Gerberas belong to the Asteraceae family and many varieties are often used as cut flowers . It particularly impresses with its striking, colorful flower heads, which are available in every color except blue and violet.
The most popular colors are orange, yellow, red, purple, salmon, white, pink and the bicolor varieties. The heart of the gerbera also relies on color; it can be green or black. They always radiate a large portion of happiness and joie de vivre.
Due to its color and shape, the gerbera looks just as good in the company of other flowers in a mixed bouquet as it does as a solitaire in a slim vase.
Meaning and message:
Gerberas are known to symbolize beauty, innocence, loyalty, connection and purity. Recognizable by their large flower heads, they are available in many upbeat shades, which gives them the added meaning of happiness. This makes them one of the most romantic and popular flowers for lovers and families.
Chrysanthemums / daisies
from Vulkano [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
With their bright flowers, chrysanthemums one of the best sellers among florists, especially in late summer and autumn. They are among the most popular garden and balcony plants and the selection of commercially available varieties, shapes, sizes and colors is huge.
They are available with single and multicolored, double and unfilled flowers. A recently very popular variety of autumn chrysanthemums, for example, is the semi-double variety “Poesie” , which has white ray flowers arranged in three layers around a yellow center.
Meaning and message:
In China and Japan, chrysanthemums look back on a cultural history of more than 2,000 years. In ancient China they were the symbol of autumn and long life. They only begin to bloom when all the other flowers have already said goodbye. As an imperial symbol, it became the national flower of Japan.
With this flower, different colors mean different feelings. Red says “I love you” . White symbolizes a true, sincere and pure love. Purple and other shades convey cheerfulness, optimism, long life and joy.
Tulips
photographed by Ralf Roletschek [GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Tulips belong to the lily family and are by far the largest and most varied genus of onion flowers, with now – through breeding – more than 5,000 species and varieties. They make their big appearance in spring and shine in red, bright yellow or pure white as well as many other colors.
Meaning and message:
Red tulips are considered a classic declaration of love, but many other colors also symbolize affection and love. This is a comfortable flower that is never too elegant or too flashy, but always strikes the right balance. They convey comfort and warmth and are a good choice for Valentine's Day as they are classic and affordable.
Roses
Roses are hard to beat when it comes to blooms and are considered the classic flower of love. It is undisputedly considered the queen of flowers and is the most popular Valentine's flower worldwide.
Small or large flowers, double or unfilled, fragrant or non-fragrant, white, pink, hot pink, red, orange, yellow or violet, blooming once in early summer or blooming more often until October - there are flowers for every taste and for every location or occasion matching roses.
Meaning and message:
Roses have long been a symbol of love, romance, beauty, passion and perfect happiness. A single rose of any color in bloom means true love, two roses intertwined mean an engagement. White roses symbolize the purity of love, pink the perfect happiness of love and red the passion.
Peruvian Lilies / Alsca Lilies
by Maja Dumat [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Alsca lily is a delicate, almost exotic flower that looks very elegant in the garden. The majestic appearing “Flower of the Year 2010” enchants every garden into a true flower oasis with its elegant and graceful appearance. They shine in many bright colors, such as orange, red, yellow, pink, but also white.
Meaning and message:
Peruvian lilies because of their origin , primarily represent friendship and devotion. An ideal present for a good friend. In Greek poetry, the lily also represented tenderness. Today the white lily expresses purity, innocence and sympathy, while red, yellow or purple are expressions of pure love.
“Casa Blanca” lilies
photographed by Sid Mosdell [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The oriental lily “Casa Blanca” with the sonorous name has beautiful, white, intensely fragrant flowers with a hint of green in the center of the flower. The Casa Blanca was the absolute number one among cut lilies for decades.
As a garden plant it is also incredibly beautiful and reliable. Once it has gained a foothold in the garden, it should grow up to 1.5 meters high.
This flower is particularly elegant with a touch of exoticism. In addition to white, there are a variety of other impressive flower colors such as bright orange, strong pink and dark red, but also many pastel tones. The large range also includes lilies with multi-colored flowers. People love the intoxicating scent of this amazing flower.
Meaning and message:
White-flowering lilies have played an important role in mythology and belief from early on. They have captivated people with their beauty well over 3,000 years ago. Today, these oriental lilies typically represent beauty, class and style. A man who creates a bouquet with these impressive and expensive lilies is demanding and knows his partner well.
Orchids
by Uoaei1 [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Even before the Spanish discovered America, orchids known and loved by the Indian tribes. Orchids are now a family of plants found worldwide and there are over 25,000 naturally occurring species in the world. They are among the most popular houseplants.
No wonder, because they look graceful, bloom for a long time, are available in many attractive colors and flower shapes and the vast majority of varieties are easy to care for. The so-called Phalaenopsis is one of the most frequently offered orchids.
Meaning and message:
Their delicate beauty and exotic leaves make them a perfect representation of beauty, luxury, masculinity and love. They also send a message of exotic seduction.
If someone gives orchids as a gift, the recipient is probably a little wilder and more mysterious than the person who gets a dozen roses. Orchids also hold up well over time, both in bouquets and pots.
Asters
by Theo Crazzolara [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The approximately 180 species of this ornamental plant today are widespread, especially in Eurasia. Some species and their varieties are particularly popular for beautifying parks and gardens. Asters bloom lushly and colorfully from late summer to November.
Meaning and message:
Ancient writers considered it an enchanted flower with the ability to drive away snakes and turn them into beautiful flowers. Therefore, this flower with its star-like shape is also considered a protector and talisman that is supposed to watch over the person receiving the gift and also stands for love and patience.
cloves
by Hedwig Storch [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The romantic and colorful flower has many different sides: intense colors, a wonderfully light scent, romantic symbolism, a Mediterranean origin, crowned by a divine name.
The carnation has an all-round impressive array of colors in its repertoire with a spectrum of green, deep purple, dark red, fluorescent yellow, champagne, delicate orange, salmon pink, white or a combination of these colors. They make an excellent cut flower because they are particularly long-lasting.
Even the Romans made forehead wreaths out of carnations or made fresh scented water from the flowers. The flower can also be regularly seen in religious paintings.
Meaning and message:
The carnation symbolizes passion, desire and romance. It is one of the oldest flowers in the world, used to express admiration and fascination for the recipient. Like many other flowers, different colors of carnations express different feelings. Bright red carnations convey admiration while red means deep love. Pink carnations are also sometimes given as a token of gratitude.
sunflowers
When you think of sunflowers , you automatically look up. Their appearance reminds us of a smiling sun and their cheerful appearance always ensures a good mood in the garden. They bloom in a rich yellow, especially from July to October. It is also popularly known as the queen of summer flowers, which is certainly due to its majestic appearance and the fact that it always directs its flowers towards the sun.
The Inca and the Aztecs already worshiped sunflowers; the priestesses of their sun temples were crowned with sunflowers as a sign of this veneration.
Meaning and message:
Like the sun for which they are named, these flowers represent warmth and happiness. They also represent loyalty and faithfulness. Therefore, they are also ideal as a gift between lovers and, for example, for Valentine's Day or wedding anniversary.
Irises
by Roman Eisele [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Irises - also irises - are among the most diverse perennial plants in the garden. Botanically, the genus is named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow - a very fitting patron saint given the wide range of flower colors. The narrow, sword-like leaves that give it its name are characteristic.
Along with roses and lilies, irises are among the oldest garden plants. It owes this popularity to the attractiveness of its flowers, the enormous variety of colors as well as its robustness and longevity.
Meaning and message:
The iris represents faith, hope as well as courage and admiration. The deep blue and violet versions are particularly popular flowers for Valentine's Day, as they radiate a certain royal splendor and convey royalty.
Gardenias
by KENPEI [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The gardenia is also called jasmine rose in German and originally comes from southern Asia. However, these beautiful houseplants are considered extremely difficult to maintain and require special care. Flowering from July to October, the double, creamy white flowers exude an intense, captivating scent.
Gardenias were popular as buttonhole flowers at the end of the 19th century, especially among gentlemen of high society.
Meaning and message:
Gardenias represent purity, joy and deep, old-fashioned love. The man who buys these flowers for a lady probably has a history with the woman. Because they are relatively expensive and are usually sold as solitaires, they definitely make a statement about the appreciation of the recipient.
Further information on the symbolism of flowers...
Flowers and plants are like relatives of our body language. They send non-verbal but often unmistakable signals and a message to the recipient. Every bouquet and every container is not just a gift, but also a special way of communicating. You can find out more about the symbolism of the flower language in the Flower Etiquette from Stil.de.
