Long before text messages and greeting cards, people sent each other flowers to say the things that were too tender, too bold, or too complicated for words. A single bloom tucked into a letter could mean "I'm thinking of you." A particular pairing could whisper "forgive me," or shout "I love you." This quiet art has a name — floriography, the language of flowers — and it's the secret grammar behind every bouquet we tie at ONY.
It flourished in the Victorian era, when whole dictionaries were published so that suitors and friends could compose messages in petals. We took fresh inspiration from Jessica Roux's beautiful modern guide Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers — then translated it into the way we actually build arrangements in the studio today. Here's how to read a bouquet, flower by flower, and what happens when those meanings are combined.
"Where words leave off, flowers begin."
A little flower dictionary
The meaning behind the blooms we reach for most
Rose
Love — in all its shades
The rose is the alphabet of floriography. What it means depends entirely on its color:
- Red — deep, romantic love. The classic "I love you."
- Pink — grace, gratitude, and gentle admiration.
- White — purity, reverence, and new beginnings.
- Yellow — friendship, warmth, and pure joy.
Carnation
Fascination & devoted love
Long-lasting and quietly expressive, the carnation speaks in color too:
- Red — admiration and deep, aching love.
- Pink — a mother's undying love and remembrance.
- White — pure affection, sweetness, and good luck.
Anemone
Anticipation & protection
With its dark heart and bright petals, the anemone signals the breathless anticipation of love — and was long believed to guard against ill will. A flower for hope on the cusp of something.
Peony
Happy marriage & prosperity
Romantic and abundant, the peony stands for a happy life, a happy union, and good fortune. A favourite for weddings and milestone moments.
Tulip
A perfect declaration of love
The tulip is a confession of deep love. Red tulips declare it outright; purple nods to admiration and royalty; yellow carries cheerful, sunny thoughts.
Ranunculus
Radiant charm
Layer upon layer of petals, the ranunculus says "I am dazzled by your charms." A graceful way to tell someone they're radiant.
Lily
Purity, majesty & rebirth
White lilies speak of purity and renewal, which is why they appear at both weddings and remembrances. Calla lilies add magnificent beauty; stargazers, ambition.
Sunflower
Adoration & loyalty
Always turning toward the light, the sunflower stands for steadfast adoration, warmth, and longevity. Pure sunshine in a stem.
Lily of the Valley
The return of happiness
Tiny, fragrant bells that promise sweetness and the return of joy — humble, hopeful, and beloved in bridal work.
Forget-Me-Not
True love & remembrance
Exactly as its name asks: a token of faithful love and lasting memory. A gentle "do not forget me."
Lavender
Devotion, serenity & calm
Beyond its soothing scent, lavender carries devotion and quiet grace — a wish for peace and steady love.
Daisy
Innocence & loyal love
Cheerful and unpretentious, the daisy stands for innocence, purity, and loyal love — a flower of fresh starts and honest hearts.
Bouquets that speak
When you combine flowers, you compose a sentence
Here's where floriography gets magical. A bouquet isn't a pile of pretty stems — it's a phrase. Each flower adds a word, and together they form a message. These are a few of our favourite "sentences," and what they say.
"I love you."
- Red roses
- Red carnations
- Anemones
Says: Deep romantic love (red roses), woven with aching admiration (red carnations) and the breathless anticipation of being yours (anemones). The clearest "I love you" in the floral language.
"To a happy life together."
- Peonies
- White roses
- Lily of the valley
Says: A happy, prosperous marriage (peonies), built on pure and reverent love (white roses), with the promise that happiness will return again and again (lily of the valley).
"Thank you — truly."
- Pink roses
- Pink carnations
- Hydrangea
Says: Gratitude and admiration (pink roses), tender appreciation (pink carnations), and heartfelt, overflowing emotion (hydrangea). For the people who show up for you.
"You make my days brighter."
- Yellow roses
- Sunflowers
- Daisies
Says: Warm friendship and joy (yellow roses), loyal adoration (sunflowers), and honest, easy affection (daisies). Pure sunshine for someone who deserves it.
"With you, in memory."
- White lilies
- White roses
- Forget-me-nots
Says: Peace, purity, and the soul's rebirth (white lilies), reverent love (white roses), and a promise of lasting remembrance (forget-me-nots). A gentle way to say they are not forgotten.
"Rest, and be well."
- Lavender
- Ranunculus
- Daisies
Says: Calm, serenity, and devotion (lavender), radiant charm to lift the spirits (ranunculus), and the fresh hope of brighter days (daisies). A bouquet that feels like a deep breath.
Let us help you say it
You don't need to memorize the dictionary — that's our job. When you order a bouquet from ONY, you can tell us the feeling you're trying to send, and we'll compose it in flowers. Whether it's a quiet "I'm sorry," a roaring "I love you," or a simple "thinking of you," there's an arrangement of stems that says it perfectly.
Tell us the feeling. We'll tie the words.
Hand-tied bouquets designed around your sentiment and delivered across the Wasatch Front — same-day on orders placed by 1pm.
A note on sources: the meanings above draw on the historic Victorian language of flowers, with inspiration from Jessica Roux's Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers (Andrews McMeel, 2020). Floriography has many regional and historical variations — we've chosen the readings that feel truest to how flowers are given and received today.