Introduction to Flower Symbolism

Flowers have been a universal language of emotion for centuries. From Victorian floriography to modern-day bouquets, every flower carries symbolic meaning that can express love, friendship, hope, mourning, or celebration. Florists carefully select flowers not only for their visual appeal but also for the messages they convey. Colors, varieties, and even the seasonality of flowers further enhance their significance. This table highlights the 99 most popular flowers in the floral industry, exploring their botanical details, varieties, bloom times, colors, symbolism, and common uses in arrangements.

	Flower	Scientific Name	Popular Varieties / Cultivars	Colors Available	Bloom Season	Symbolism / Meaning	Common Uses in Floristry
1	Rose	Rosa	Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Climbing	Red, Pink, White, Yellow	Spring-Summer	Love, passion, beauty	Bouquets, centerpieces, romantic arrangements
2	Lily	Lilium	Asiatic, Oriental, Trumpet	White, Pink, Orange	Summer	Purity, refined beauty, transience	Sympathy arrangements, wedding bouquets
3	Tulip	Tulipa	Darwin Hybrid, Triumph, Parrot	Red, Yellow, Pink	Spring	Perfect love, elegance	Spring displays, mixed bouquets
4	Sunflower	Helianthus annuus	Giant, Dwarf, Teddy Bear	Yellow, Orange	Summer-Fall	Adoration, loyalty, longevity	Garden displays, cheerful arrangements
5	Orchid	Orchidaceae	Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium	White, Pink, Purple	Year-round	Exotic beauty, strength, luxury	Elegant centerpieces, corsages
6	Carnation	Dianthus caryophyllus	Spray, Standard, Miniature	Red, Pink, White	Spring-Summer	Affection, fascination	Boutonnieres, sympathy flowers, mixed bouquets
7	Chrysanthemum	Chrysanthemum	Spider, Pompon, Daisy	Yellow, White, Red	Fall	Optimism, joy, longevity	Funeral sprays, autumn arrangements
8	Peony	Paeonia	Herbaceous, Tree, Intersectional	Pink, White, Red	Spring	Romance, prosperity, bashfulness	Wedding bouquets, centerpieces
9	Hydrangea	Hydrangea macrophylla	Mophead, Lacecap, Paniculata	Blue, Pink, White	Summer	Heartfelt emotions, understanding, apology	Wedding arrangements, large displays
10	Daffodil	Narcissus	Trumpet, Double, Cyclamineus	Yellow, White, Orange	Spring	New beginnings, rebirth, respect	Spring bouquets, garden arrangements
11	Iris	Iris	Bearded, Siberian, Dutch	Purple, Blue, White	Spring	Wisdom, courage, admiration	Mixed bouquets, floral arrangements
12	Lavender	Lavandula	English, French, Spanish	Purple, Blue	Summer	Calmness, devotion, purity	Wedding bouquets, sachets, decorative pieces
13	Gardenia	Gardenia jasminoides	Veitchii, Radicans	White	Summer	Secret love, purity, joy	Wedding bouquets, corsages
14	Freesia	Freesia	Double, Standard	White, Yellow, Pink	Spring	Innocence, friendship, trust	Mixed bouquets, fragrance additions
15	Forget-Me-Not	Myosotis	Siberian, Alpine	Blue, White, Pink	Spring	True love, remembrance, memories	Small bouquets, boutonnières
16	Aster	Aster	China, New England, Alpine	Purple, Pink, White	Late Summer-Fall	Patience, elegance, daintiness	Fall arrangements, mixed bouquets
17	Lilac	Syringa	Common, French, Persian	Purple, White, Pink	Spring	First love, youthful joy	Garden arrangements, wedding bouquets
18	Magnolia	Magnolia grandiflora	Southern, Little Gem	White, Pink	Spring-Summer	Dignity, perseverance, love	Centerpieces, elegant arrangements
19	Poppy	Papaver	Oriental, Iceland, Flanders	Red, White, Orange	Spring-Summer	Peace, remembrance, consolation	Memorial bouquets, garden displays
20	Camellia	Camellia japonica	Japonica, Sasanqua, Reticulata	White, Pink, Red	Winter-Spring	Admiration, perfection, love	Formal bouquets, winter arrangements
21	Dahlia	Dahlia	Decorative, Cactus, Ball	Red, Pink, White, Yellow	Summer-Fall	Strength, elegance, inner strength	Wedding bouquets, summer arrangements
22	Cosmos	Cosmos bipinnatus	Sonata, Sensation, Double Click	Pink, White, Red	Summer-Fall	Harmony, peace, tranquility	Wildflower mixes, casual bouquets
23	Snapdragon	Antirrhinum majus	Rocket, Twinny, Liberty	Red, Pink, Yellow, White	Summer	Grace, strength, deception	Mixed bouquets, garden arrangements
24	Violet	Viola	Sweet, Johnny Jump Up, Pansy	Purple, White, Blue	Spring	Modesty, faithfulness, love	Posy arrangements, floral borders
25	Zinnia	Zinnia elegans	State Fair, Zahara, Profusion	Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange	Summer-Fall	Thoughts of absent friends, endurance	Summer bouquets, garden displays

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#	Flower	Scientific Name	Popular Varieties / Cultivars	Colors Available	Bloom Season	Symbolism / Meaning	Common Uses in Floristry
26	Alstroemeria	Alstroemeria	Indian Summer, Princess, Aurora	Pink, Red, Orange, White	Summer-Fall	Friendship, devotion, mutual support	Bouquets, mixed arrangements, vase displays
27	Anemone	Anemone coronaria	De Caen, St. Brigid, Blanda	White, Red, Blue, Pink	Spring	Anticipation, protection, forsaken love	Wedding bouquets, spring displays
28	Baby’s Breath	Gypsophila	Million Star, Rosenschleier	White, Pink	Summer	Purity, everlasting love	Wedding bouquets, filler in arrangements
29	Bachelor’s Button	Centaurea cyanus	Blue Boy, Black Ball, Black Boy	Blue, Purple, White	Summer	Single blessedness, hope, delicacy	Rustic bouquets, wildflower mixes
30	Bells of Ireland	Moluccella laevis	Standard	Green	Summer	Good luck, prosperity	Filler in bouquets, tall arrangements
31	Bluebell	Hyacinthoides non-scripta	Common Bluebell, Spanish Bluebell	Blue, Violet	Spring	Humility, gratitude, everlasting love	Woodland arrangements, spring displays
32	Calendula	Calendula officinalis	Bon Bon, Orange King, Pacific Beauty	Orange, Yellow	Summer-Fall	Jealousy, grief, cruelty	Herbal bouquets, rustic floral arrangements
33	Calla Lily	Zantedeschia	Captain, Black Star, Picasso	White, Yellow, Pink, Purple	Spring-Summer	Magnificent beauty, purity, rebirth	Wedding bouquets, funeral arrangements
34	Gerbera Daisy	Gerbera jamesonii	Big Smile, Tutti Frutti, Jagged Star	Red, Pink, Orange, White	Spring-Summer	Cheerfulness, innocence, purity	Bouquets, cheerful arrangements
35	Geranium	Pelargonium	Ivy, Zonal, Regal	Red, Pink, White	Summer-Fall	Comfort, true friendship, preference	Window boxes, garden bouquets
36	Gladiolus	Gladiolus	Chatelaine, White Prosperity, Summer Snow	Red, Pink, White, Yellow	Summer	Strength, integrity, remembrance	Tall arrangements, mixed bouquets
37	Heather	Calluna vulgaris	Garden Girl, Dark Beauty	Pink, Purple, White	Summer-Fall	Admiration, protection, solitude	Rustic bouquets, dried arrangements
38	Hibiscus	Hibiscus rosa-sinensis	Pink Hibiscus, Red Hibiscus	Red, Pink, Yellow, White	Summer	Delicate beauty, femininity, passion	Tropical arrangements, garden displays
39	Hyacinth	Hyacinthus	Delft Blue, City of Haarlem, Pink Pearl	Purple, Blue, Pink, White	Spring	Playfulness, sport, constancy	Spring bouquets, potted gifts
40	Lobelia	Lobelia erinus	Crystal Palace, Regatta, Fan Scarlet	Blue, White, Purple	Summer	Constancy, devotion, love	Borders, hanging baskets, small arrangements
41	Jasmine	Jasminum	Grand Duke, Sambac, Night Blooming	White, Yellow	Summer	Elegance, grace, sensuality	Wedding garlands, fragrant bouquets
42	Jonquil	Narcissus jonquilla	Double, Single, Mini	Yellow, White	Spring	Desire, affection, sympathy	Spring bouquets, garden arrangements
43	Larkspur	Delphinium	Pacific Giant, Magic Fountain	Blue, Purple, Pink, White	Summer	Lightness, levity, joy	Tall arrangements, formal bouquets
44	Lantana	Lantana camara	New Gold, Bandana, Lucky Lantern	Red, Yellow, Orange, Pink	Summer-Fall	Enchantment, charm, attraction	Garden bouquets, tropical displays
45	Marigold	Tagetes	African, French, Signet	Yellow, Orange, Red	Summer-Fall	Passion, creativity, despair	Autumn arrangements, festival decorations
46	Mimosa	Acacia dealbata	Silver Wattle, Pink Mimosa	Yellow, Pink	Late Winter-Spring	Sensitivity, secret love, touch	Spring bouquets, accent greenery
47	Narcissus	Narcissus	Poet, King Alfred, Tête-à-Tête	Yellow, White	Spring	Self-love, vanity, rebirth	Spring bouquets, mixed arrangements
48	Periwinkle	Vinca minor	Bowles, Alba, Gertrude Jekyll	Purple, Blue, White	Spring	Early friendship, sweet memories	Groundcover, small floral arrangements
49	Petunia	Petunia	Wave, Supertunia, Tidal Wave	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Summer	Comfort, resentment, anger	Hanging baskets, summer bouquets
50	Phlox	Phlox paniculata	David, Bright Eyes, Blue Paradise	Pink, White, Purple	Summer-Fall	Unity, harmony, sweet dreams	Garden arrangements, cottage bouquets

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#	Flower	Scientific Name	Popular Varieties / Cultivars	Colors Available	Bloom Season	Symbolism / Meaning	Common Uses in Floristry
51	Red Clover	Trifolium pratense	Common Red Clover, Dutch Clover	Red, Pink	Spring-Summer	Protection, good luck, faithfulness	Rustic bouquets, wildflower mixes
52	Rosemary	Rosmarinus officinalis	Arp, Hill Hardy, Tuscan Blue	Green	Spring-Summer	Remembrance, fidelity, love	Wedding bouquets, herbal accents
53	Snapdragons	Antirrhinum majus	Rocket, Liberty, Tall	Pink, Red, Yellow, White	Summer	Strength, grace, deception	Mixed bouquets, tall arrangements
54	Snowdrop	Galanthus nivalis	Nivalis, Flore Pleno	White	Late Winter-Early Spring	Hope, consolation, purity	Early spring displays, delicate arrangements
55	Sweet Pea	Lathyrus odoratus	Spencer, Cupani, Painted Lady	Pink, Purple, White	Spring	Departure, good wishes, gratitude	Wedding bouquets, delicate spring arrangements
56	Sweet William	Dianthus barbatus	Pacific Giants, Hedewig	Red, Pink, White, Purple	Late Spring-Summer	Gallantry, boldness, gallant gentleman	Cottage garden bouquets, rustic arrangements
57	Wisteria	Wisteria sinensis	Chinese, Japanese, Amethyst Falls	Purple, Blue, White	Spring	Welcome, long life, grace	Garden displays, vertical arrangements
58	Zinnia (Orange)	Zinnia elegans	State Fair, Zahara, Profusion	Orange, Red, Pink, Yellow	Summer-Fall	Thoughts of absent friends, endurance	Summer bouquets, garden displays
59	Acacia (Golden)	Acacia pycnantha	Golden Wattle	Yellow	Spring	Secret love, friendship, purity	Spring bouquets, accent greenery
60	Almond Blossom	Prunus dulcis	Nonpareil, Carmel, Butte	White, Pink	Early Spring	Hope, renewal, promise	Spring arrangements, ornamental bouquets
61	Amaryllis	Hippeastrum	Red Lion, Apple Blossom, Minerva	Red, White, Pink	Winter-Spring	Pride, determination, radiant beauty	Holiday bouquets, statement centerpieces
62	Amaranth	Amaranthus	Love-Lies-Bleeding, Green Thumb, Red Castle	Red, Green, Purple	Summer-Fall	Immortality, everlasting love	Hanging arrangements, exotic bouquets
63	Anthurium	Anthurium andraeanum	Red Champion, Ace of Spades, Andraeanum	Red, Pink, White, Green	Year-round	Hospitality, abundance, prosperity	Tropical bouquets, modern arrangements
64	Aubrieta	Aubrieta deltoidea	Purple Carpet, Cascade Purple	Purple, Violet	Spring	Grace, beauty, elegance	Groundcover arrangements, rock gardens
65	Azalea (Pink)	Rhododendron simsii	Formosa, Kurume, Gable Hybrids	Pink, White, Red	Spring	Love, femininity, softness	Indoor potted plants, spring arrangements
66	Balsam	Impatiens balsamina	Double, Lady Slipper, Rosebud	Pink, Red, White	Summer	Healing, comfort, patience	Cottage garden bouquets, potted arrangements
67	Borage	Borago officinalis	Common Borage, Starflower	Blue	Summer	Courage, hope, cheerfulness	Wildflower bouquets, herbal arrangements
68	Celandine	Chelidonium majus	Greater Celandine	Yellow	Spring-Summer	Joy, cheerfulness, hope	Spring displays, naturalistic arrangements
69	Cineraria (Purple)	Pericallis × hybrida	Violet Queen, Sunset Purple	Purple, Pink, White	Spring	True friend, sympathy, understanding	Potted gifts, spring bouquets
70	Columbine	Aquilegia	Blue Star, Crimson Star, McKana Giant	Blue, Purple, Pink, White	Spring	Fickleness, foolishness, love	Cottage bouquets, garden arrangements
71	Coreopsis	Coreopsis	Moonbeam, Cosmic Eye, Sunray	Yellow, Pink	Summer	Cheerfulness, everlasting love	Wildflower mixes, summer bouquets
72	Cress	Lepidium sativum	Curled, Garden, Watercress	Green	Spring	Vitality, freshness	Garnishing arrangements, herbal bouquets
73	Crocus (Yellow)	Crocus flavus	Dutch Yellow, Golden Giant	Yellow	Early Spring	Youth, cheerfulness, spring	Spring garden displays, bouquets
74	Cypress	Cupressus	Italian, Leyland, Monterey	Green	Year-round	Death, mourning, eternal life	Funeral arrangements, cemetery landscaping
75	Dandelion	Taraxacum officinale	Common, Lion’s Tooth	Yellow	Spring-Summer	Faithfulness, happiness, love’s oracle	Wildflower bouquets, naturalistic displays

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#	Flower	Scientific Name	Popular Varieties / Cultivars	Colors Available	Bloom Season	Symbolism / Meaning	Common Uses in Floristry
76	Dianthus	Dianthus caryophyllus	Sweet William, Rainbow, Firewitch	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Spring-Summer	Love, fascination, admiration	Mixed bouquets, garden borders
77	Edelweiss	Leontopodium alpinum	Superbum, White Star	White	Summer	Courage, bravery, dedication	Alpine displays, symbolic arrangements
78	Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare	Sweet, Bronze, Florence	Green	Summer	Strength, courage, protection	Herb bouquets, rustic floral designs
79	Fuchsia	Fuchsia	Dollar Princess, Swingtime, Tom Thumb	Pink, Red, Purple	Summer-Fall	Confiding love, taste, grace	Hanging baskets, mixed bouquets
80	Gloxinia	Sinningia speciosa	Empress, Cherry, Venus	Red, Pink, Purple, White	Spring-Summer	Love at first sight, desire	Indoor potted arrangements, gifts
81	Hellebore	Helleborus	Winter Jewels, Pink Frost	White, Pink, Purple	Winter-Spring	Hope, new beginnings	Winter bouquets, garden arrangements
82	Honeysuckle	Lonicera	Gold Flame, Hall’s, Dropmore Scarlet	Yellow, Red, Pink, White	Summer	Bonds of love, devotion, sweet affection	Trellises, wedding garlands, scented displays
83	Hops	Humulus lupulus	Hallertau, Cascade, Nugget	Green	Summer-Fall	Joy, happiness, celebration	Rustic bouquets, climbing displays
84	Ixia	Ixia	African Queen, Rainbow, Blue Ice	Pink, White, Purple	Summer	Friendship, love, affection	Summer bouquets, garden arrangements
85	Jasmine (White)	Jasminum sambac	Arabian, Grand Duke, Belle of India	White	Summer	Elegance, grace, sensuality	Wedding garlands, fragrant bouquets
86	Kalanchoe	Kalanchoe blossfeldiana	Blossfeldiana, Calandiva	Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange	Year-round	Long-lasting love, prosperity	Potted gifts, indoor arrangements
87	Lobelia (Blue)	Lobelia erinus	Crystal Palace, Regatta, Fan Scarlet	Blue, White, Purple	Summer	Constancy, devotion, love	Borders, hanging baskets, small arrangements
88	Lupine	Lupinus	Russell Hybrid, The Governor	Blue, Purple, Pink, White	Spring-Summer	Imagination, creativity, joy	Cottage bouquets, vertical arrangements
89	Mallow	Malva	Common Mallow, Alcea Rosea	Pink, Purple, White	Summer	Delicate beauty, gentleness	Cottage gardens, mixed bouquets
90	Maranta	Maranta leuconeura	Prayer Plant, Lemon Lime, Kerchoviana	Green, Red, White	Year-round	Faith, devotion	Indoor arrangements, potted gifts
91	Mimosa (Pink)	Acacia dealbata	Silver Wattle, Pink Mimosa	Pink, Yellow	Late Winter-Spring	Sensitivity, secret love, touch	Spring bouquets, accent greenery
92	Nasturtium	Tropaeolum majus	Jewel Mix, Empress of India	Red, Orange, Yellow	Summer-Fall	Victory in battle, patriotism, conquest	Edible bouquets, garden arrangements
93	Oleander	Nerium oleander	Pink Beauty, Hardy Red, Variegata	Pink, Red, White	Summer	Caution, beware, danger	Garden arrangements, Mediterranean displays
94	Pansy (Purple)	Viola × wittrockiana	Majestic Giants, Matrix	Purple, Yellow, Blue, White	Spring-Fall	Thoughtfulness, remembrance, love	Spring bouquets, small arrangements
95	Poppy (White)	Papaver somniferum	Alba, Danish Flag, White Peony	White	Spring-Summer	Consolation, remembrance, sleep	Memorial arrangements, delicate bouquets
96	Primula	Primula vulgaris	Belarina, Auricula, Polyanthus	Pink, Red, Yellow, White	Spring	Youth, young love, new beginnings	Spring bouquets, cottage gardens
97	Rhododendron	Rhododendron	Cunningham’s White, Nova Zembla	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Spring	Danger, caution, beware	Garden displays, ornamental arrangements
98	Saffron	Crocus sativus	Autumn Queen, Crimson Giant	Purple	Autumn	Joy, happiness, celebration	Culinary bouquets, autumn floral designs
99	Tansy	Tanacetum vulgare	Common Tansy, Gold Button	Yellow	Summer-Fall	Health, immortality, eternity	Rustic bouquets, dried flower arrangements

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