Flower Meanings: What Each Stem Says

Floriography — the Victorian habit of assigning meanings to flowers — was a way of saying something out loud that could not be written down. Most of the meanings have survived, and they are still a useful shortcut when you cannot find the words.

Rose is love said plainly. Peony is a happy life together, which is why it turns up at weddings. Carnation is a mother's love. Sunflower is warmth and loyalty, the friendship flower rather than the romance one.

Poppy means rest and remembrance and works for condolences. Chrysanthemum means long life and honesty. Lily is devotion. Orchid is rare and refined, and reads as a compliment rather than a declaration.

You do not need to explain any of this in the card. Choose the stems that match what you mean, and the bouquet quietly does the second half of the work.