Explore the rich history, cultural significance, and hidden meanings behind nature's most beautiful creations. Your comprehensive guide to the language of flowers.
Showing 21 of 21 flowers
Helianthus annuus
Sunflowers are large, vibrant flowers known for their distinctive yellow petals and dark centers. These cheerful blooms symbolize loyalty, adoration, and unwavering faith, making them perfect for expressing joy and positivity.
annual
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Rosa spp.
Roses are the quintessential symbol of love and beauty, featuring layered petals and intoxicating fragrance. With over 300 species, roses represent the full spectrum of human emotions and have been cherished across cultures for millennia.
perennial
Rosaceae
Tulipa spp.
Tulips are elegant spring bulbs with cup-shaped flowers that herald the arrival of warmer weather. These graceful blooms symbolize perfect love and new beginnings, making them ideal for celebrating fresh starts and deep affection.
perennial
Liliaceae
Lavandula angustifolia
Known for its fragrant purple flowers and silvery-green foliage, lavender is cherished for its calming properties and beauty. It symbolizes purity, silence, devotion, and serenity.
perennial
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Paeonia lactiflora (representative)
Peonies are beloved for their large, fragrant, and often lushly petaled blossoms. They symbolize romance, prosperity, good fortune, a happy marriage, and honor.
perennial
Paeoniaceae
Hydrangea macrophylla (representative)
Hydrangeas are popular shrubs known for their large, showy flower heads, which can famously change color based on soil acidity. They symbolize gratitude, grace, beauty, and heartfelt emotions.
shrub
Hydrangeaceae
Dahlia (horticultural hybrids)
Dahlias are prized for their incredibly diverse flower forms, sizes, and vibrant colors. They symbolize elegance, dignity, creativity, inner strength, and commitment.
perennial
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet peas are cherished for their delicate, fragrant blossoms and wide range of colors. They symbolize blissful pleasure, delicate beauty, departure, and gratitude.
annual
Fabaceae (Pea family)
Papaver rhoeas
The Corn Poppy is known for its vibrant red, delicate, papery petals, often with a dark spot at the base. It is a powerful symbol of remembrance, particularly for fallen soldiers, and also represents sleep and peace.
annual
Papaveraceae (Poppy family)
Clematis (horticultural hybrids and species)
Clematis are popular climbing plants prized for their spectacular flowers, which come in a vast array of shapes, sizes, and colors. They symbolize mental beauty, ingenuity, aspiration, and artifice.
perennial
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Symphyotrichum spp. / Aster spp.
Asters are daisy-like perennials with star-shaped flower heads. They bring delightful color to late summer and fall gardens, symbolizing love, wisdom, and faith.
perennial
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Pelargonium spp.
Commonly known as geraniums, Pelargoniums are popular for their vibrant blooms and varied foliage. They symbolize comfort, friendship, and good wishes, brightening gardens and homes.
perennial
Geraniaceae
Narcissus spp.
Daffodils are cheerful spring-blooming bulbs known for their trumpet-shaped flowers. They symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, and unrequited love.
bulb
Amaryllidaceae
Lilium spp.
True lilies (Lilium) are elegant, often fragrant flowers grown from bulbs, prized for their large, showy blooms. They symbolize purity, beauty, and refined love.
bulb
Liliaceae
Chrysanthemum × morifolium (and other spp.)
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are popular fall flowers with diverse forms and colors. They symbolize joy, optimism, longevity, and are culturally significant worldwide.
perennial
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Iris spp.
Irises are elegant flowers with distinctive three-petaled blooms, available in a rainbow of colors. They symbolize faith, hope, wisdom, and valor.
rhizome
Iridaceae
Delphinium spp.
Delphiniums are majestic perennials known for their tall spikes of vibrant, spurred flowers, especially in shades of blue. They symbolize big-heartedness, fun, and ardent attachment.
perennial
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Viola × wittrockiana
Pansies are cheerful cool-weather flowers known for their "faces" and wide range of colors. They symbolize loving thoughts, remembrance, and free-thinking.
biennial
Violaceae (Violet family)
Antirrhinum majus
Snapdragons are charming flowers with unique, dragon-snout shaped blooms that "snap" open. They symbolize graciousness, strength, and sometimes deception.
perennial
Plantaginaceae (Plantain family) (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
Zinnia elegans (and other Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias are vibrant, daisy-like annuals cherished for their profuse blooms in a wide array of colors. They symbolize thoughts of absent friends, endurance, and lasting affection.
annual
Asteraceae (Daisy family)
Tagetes spp. (e.g., Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula, Tagetes tenuifolia)
Marigolds (Tagetes) are hardy annuals known for their bright, cheerful blooms and distinct aroma. They symbolize passion, creativity, warmth, and are culturally significant in many traditions, especially Day of the Dead.
annual
Asteraceae (Daisy family)