Why do we send roses on Valentine's Day, and why are they red? Learn a dozen other ways to use flowers to communicate secret messages to your loved one.

Around the globe millions will be spent on red roses this coming Valentine’s Day. The red rose symbolizes passion, true love and devotion. But there are other ways to say “I love you” with flowers.

History of Floriography

The art of floriography (literally flower writing) came to Europe from Persia 300 years ago. There is a similar tradition in Japan called Hanakatoba. For the largely illiterate population, love letters were impractical and in those more modest times it was difficult for lovers or would be lovers to meet – flowers full of scent and beauty became a popular and practical way of sending messages back and forth. The tradition reached its height in Victorian England when every young man and lady were well versed in the language and could carry on conversations, even relationships through the exchange of blooms.

A First Step

Giving the maid or man of your dreams a Sweet William blossom is gently flirtatious and asks the recipient to grant a smile to the giver. Add some Spearmint for warmth and some blue Salvia for thoughts and you have opened the door for romance. If you meet your love in Winter you can speak volumes through the snow and ice with Snowdrop which asks for hope, Cedar which declares “I live for thee” and the more practical Mistletoe which asks for a kiss.

Compliment with Camellia

If your would be lover speaks blossom and rewards you with a smile, perhaps it’s time to deliver another bouquet. Try Gardenia (you’re lovely), Hibiscus (you have a delicate beauty), Ranunculus (you radiate charms), variegated Tulip (you have beautiful eyes) and Camellia (you are perfect).

Ambrosia In Return Means Love

Celandine promises joys to come and Forsythia invites anticipation. Acacia, Almond Blossom, Hawthorn and Pine all encourage hope. If your bunch includes a Spiderflower which means elope with me, perhaps pause a little with Betony (surprise), Fir (time) or Love-in-a-mist (confusion). Or rush right in with a solid colored Carnation – yes! (Be careful, a striped carnation means no!) Or Dandelion – wishes come true!

How to Break it Off

Love can be fickle and just as there are beautiful scented ways to say I love you, there are equally beautiful, scented ways to say goodbye. Aloe symbolizes grief, Bilberry treachery, Candytuft indifference, yellow Carnation rejection and disdain, scented Geranium stupidity, Judas Tree betrayal, orange Lily hatred, Lobelia malevolence, Love-lies-bleeding hopelessness, Meadowsweet uselessness, Peony anger and indignation and Rue disdain. And a bouquet of withered flowers is something even those of us not fluent in flowers can understand.

A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet

Roses remain the most popular flower to give and receive, but within the species one can find many sentiments. A thornless rose means the receiver need never fear the giver, a rose leaf invites hope and a garland or wreath indicates superiority and merit. A full bunch of open blooms indicates gratitude while a single unopened rose bud speaks of beauty and innocence leading to love.

Red roses symbolize true love and passion; pink shows happiness; yellow friendship and white purity. Red and white together in a bouquet speak of unity, pink and white together symbolize joy and contentment. Tea roses promise memories to come while cabbage roses act as ambassadors of love; musk roses are charming and the Christmas rose calms anxiety.

References:

Bud, Blossom, & Leaf: The Magical Herb Gardener's Handbook

by Dorothy Morrison, Llewellyen Publications, 2001

The Love Almanac

by Katrina Fried and Lena Tabori, Welcome Books, 2003