| The charming and delicate beauty of flowers has | | | | Meanings: sophistication, beautyLisianthusLisianthus |
| fascinated people of all nations and backgrounds for | | | | may sound like a Latin name, but it is one of several |
| centuries. Flowers have been bred and cultivated for | | | | common names associated with this plant. It is also |
| their decorative beauty as well as their ability to heal | | | | referred to as Prairie Gentian, Prairie Rose or Texas |
| diseases. Flowers are the subject of poems and | | | | Bluebell. The flowers existing today are derived from |
| myths, and religious symbols are associated with | | | | an American wildflower that is native to prairies |
| flowers as well. Many girls are named after flowers. | | | | ranging from Colorado to Nebraska and down to |
| The main reason for the popularity of flowers though | | | | Texas. |
| is their ability to bring good cheer.For all fellow lovers | | | | Meanings: outgoing, thoughtsOrchidsDuring the 19th |
| and admirers of flowers here is some background | | | | Century, orchids were widely collected. With nearly |
| information about flowers. This will help give your | | | | 25,000 varieties, some orchids are among the most |
| flower gift giving and buying a greater | | | | exquisite and expensive flowers available. In antiquity, |
| context.AstersThere are over 600 species of asters, | | | | orchids were correlated with love and fertility. It was |
| the most popular being the Monte Casino. Ancient | | | | common knowledge that they would protect against |
| societies believed that the odor of its leaves, when | | | | diseases. Given as a gift they stand for preciousness |
| burnt, drove away serpents. While this might not be | | | | and seduction. |
| as applicable today, perhaps its connotation is still | | | | Meanings: seduction, |
| relevant: Giving asters means, "I am not sure | | | | preciousnessSnapdragonsSnapdragons are an old |
| whether you have been faithful to me". Be careful | | | | decorative flower, widely used by the Romans. From |
| who you send asters to! | | | | its origin in southern Spain the cultivated form was |
| Meanings: charming, patienceBells of IrelandAlthough | | | | spread throughout the whole Roman Empire. |
| the name suggests these flowers come from Ireland, | | | | Nowadays remnants of this original population which |
| they originated in western Asia. Bells of Ireland have | | | | all belong to the species Antirrhinum majus are found |
| a spicy/peppery scent and are part of the mint | | | | among Roman remains like temples in southern |
| family. They stand for good luck. | | | | France, Malta, and Italy. The flower, also called |
| Meanings: good luck, whimsyCarnationsTurn of the | | | | "gracious lady" stands for deception. |
| century dandies would not leave the house without a | | | | Meanings: desire, strengthRosesWith their |
| white or red carnation in the buttonhole of their suit. | | | | far-reaching popularity, roses are the queens of |
| With the end of this tradition and the fact that | | | | flowers. After buttercup, the roses are the second |
| carnations are so easily cultivated and grown, the | | | | oldest variety of flowers on the planet. Biologists can |
| flower has lost some of its popularity. However, | | | | trace roses back some 200 million years! Although |
| carnations are not only beautiful and long lasting | | | | there is a huge number of meanings and symbols |
| flowers, they also send a message: When you | | | | associated with roses, the most common of course |
| receive a red carnation bouquet, it means, "My heart | | | | is love, which originated in Greek mythology. When |
| aches for you" and when you receive white | | | | Aphrodite cried about the death of her lover Adonis, |
| carnations the sender is saying: "I am still available." | | | | she had red "Adonis Roses" grown with his blood, - |
| Meanings: fascination, devoted | | | | thus red roses are the symbol of never-ending love. |
| LoveChrysanthemumImagine, chrysanthemums have | | | | Important to mention are the roses' thorns, of which |
| been cultivated in Chinese gardens for almost 3000 | | | | we all probably have some painful memory. |
| years! The name chrysanthemum comes from the | | | | Symbolically, love can be painful and full of suffering |
| Greek chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower). Today | | | | when not treated carefully.Red roses: I love you, |
| some of the meanings associated with this flower | | | | unconscious beauty |
| are: innocence, cheerfulness and loyal love. | | | | White roses: spiritual love, purity |
| Meanings: cheerfulness, innocenceDahliasThe dahlia is | | | | Yellow roses: joy, gladness |
| the national flower of Mexico and this is also its | | | | Orange roses: fascinated, enthusiastic |
| birthplace. An old Aztec document states that the | | | | Pink roses: grace, gentilityTulipsOriginally from Persia, |
| Aztecs used dahlias as a treatment for epilepsy. Only | | | | tulips were introduced to Western Europe and the |
| in the 19th century did the flower come to Europe | | | | Netherlands in the 17th century. When growers |
| where it was bred and cultivated into today's | | | | started to hybridize the flower, they found ways of |
| varieties. | | | | making it even more decorative. Hybrids of the |
| Meanings: dignity, eleganceIrisDid you know that | | | | flower were a scarcity at the time and a symbol of |
| there are so many different varieties of iris that they | | | | high status. Soon tulips became very popular as a |
| can be grown wild year round, in water and on land? | | | | trading product and bulbs were traded at the highest |
| Iris was most significant in history as the emblem of | | | | prices. The months of late 1636 to early 1637 would |
| France -- Fleur-de-Lis -- established in the 11th century | | | | make history in the Netherlands as "Tulipmania". A |
| by the king of France. Today, it is the state flower | | | | bed of tulips was worth up to $5,000, the value of a |
| of Tennessee and its meanings are faith, hope and | | | | small house in Amsterdam. The bulbs became |
| wisdom. | | | | currency, and their value was quoted at the stock |
| Meanings: faith, hope, wisdomLiliesLilies have been | | | | market. |
| associated with many ancient myths. They are | | | | Meanings: perfect lover, fameSunflowersSunflowers |
| mentioned in the Old Testament, and in the New | | | | turn their heads toward the sun and this how they |
| Testament, and symbolize chastity and virtue. Even | | | | got their common name. They originated in Central |
| today, lilies are associated with purity and faith. | | | | and South America. Sunflowers are not only pretty |
| Meanings: purity, faithPeruvian lilies or alstroemeria | | | | to look at but sunflower seeds are power-packed |
| are named after the Swedish botanist Baron Klas von | | | | with healthy fats, protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamin |
| Alstroemer. He brought the flower seeds back from | | | | E - all important to the nutritional quality of your diet. |
| a trip to South America in the 18th century. | | | | Wait! That doesn't mean you're supposed to eat the |
| Meanings: friendship, devotionCalla lilies were first | | | | seeds out of your sunflower bouquet. |
| imported from South Africa to America in the | | | | Meanings: adoration, sunshineJosh Grossman is |
| mid-nineteenth century. The waxy white blooms and | | | | cofounder of online florist Beyond Blossoms ( The |
| spearheaded leaves of the calla lily stand for radiant | | | | company ships farm fresh, hand-tied flowers |
| beauty and sophistication. | | | | nationwide. |