The Language of Flowers Glossary: Victorian Flower Meanings & Symbolism

Flowers have carried hidden meanings for centuries, but during the Victorian era they became part of an elaborate symbolic language known as floriography. From declarations of love and loyalty to warnings, jealousy, grief, and remembrance, every flower held emotional significance. This glossary explores the meanings behind flowers traditionally used in the Victorian language of flowers, including both well-known blooms and more obscure symbolic plants still associated with jewellery, gifting, folklore, and sentiment today.

New to floriography? Read our Guide to the Language of Flowers: Hidden Meanings & Victorian Symbolism to explore how flowers became a secret language of emotion before diving into the glossary below.

A

Acacia

• Acacia symbolised secret love, enduring friendship, and chastity within Victorian flower symbolism. Because the tree remains green throughout the year, it was also associated with resilience and lasting affection.

Acanthus

• Associated with the fine arts, immortality, and artistic achievement, acanthus frequently appeared in classical architecture and decorative Victorian design.

Allium

• Allium symbolised unity, patience, and prosperity. Growing in clusters of many tiny flowers forming a single rounded bloom, it became associated with togetherness and strength through connection.

Almond Blossom

• Almond blossom represented hope, watchfulness, and new beginnings. As one of the earliest flowering trees of spring, it became associated with renewal and quiet optimism.

Aloe

• Aloe symbolised grief, sorrow, and emotional suffering. It often appeared in mourning symbolism and was associated with bitterness and endurance through hardship.

Alyssum

• Sweet alyssum symbolised emotional worth and inner beauty. Victorians often associated the flower with gentleness and quiet charm.

Amaranth

• Amaranth represented immortality and unfading affection. Because the flower retains its form when dried, it became associated with eternal remembrance.

Ambrosia

• Ambrosia symbolised reciprocated love and affection. In some flower dictionaries it suggested that feelings were shared equally between two people.

Anemone

• Anemones carried several meanings, including fading hope, anticipation, and fragile love. In some Victorian interpretations they were associated with abandoned affection or feelings that may not endure.

Angelica

• Angelica symbolised inspiration and spiritual guidance. Due to its medicinal and protective folklore associations, it was also linked with healing and protection.

Angel’s Trumpet

• Angel’s trumpet symbolised fascination and mystery. Its dramatic hanging flowers and intoxicating fragrance contributed to associations with enchantment and hidden depths.

Apple Blossom

• Apple blossom represented peace, preference, and hopeful romance. It was frequently associated with young love and the promise of future happiness.

Arbor Vitae

• Meaning “tree of life,” arbor vitae symbolised enduring friendship and eternal life. Evergreen symbolism made it strongly associated with constancy and remembrance.

Arbutus

• Arbutus symbolised love alone or solitary affection. Its meaning carried slightly melancholic undertones within Victorian floriography.

Arnica

• Arnica represented resilience and protection. In herbal traditions it was associated with healing, which influenced its symbolic meaning within flower language.

Ash Leaf

• Ash leaves symbolised grandeur and magnificence. In folklore, ash trees were often connected with wisdom, strength, and protection.

Aspen Tree

• Aspen symbolised lamentation and sorrow. The trembling movement of its leaves in the wind contributed to its association with anxiety and emotional unrest.

Aster

• Asters represented patience, elegance, and refined love. In some Victorian interpretations they also symbolised wisdom and thoughtful affection.

Azalea

• Azaleas carried contrasting meanings depending on context. They often symbolised temperance and femininity, but in some Victorian flower dictionaries they also implied fragile passion or restrained emotions.

African Marigold

• African marigolds symbolised jealousy and despair. Unlike the more cheerful meanings sometimes associated with modern marigolds, Victorian interpretations could be surprisingly dark and pessimistic.

Asphodel

• Asphodel flowers symbolised remembrance beyond death and were strongly connected with mourning traditions and the afterlife in classical mythology.

Auricula

• Auriculas represented painting and artistic creativity. Their highly decorative appearance made them fashionable among Victorian collectors and gardeners.

B

Bachelor’s Button

• Bachelor’s button symbolised hope in love, celibacy, and delicate affection. In some Victorian traditions, a man wearing the flower was thought to reveal whether his romantic feelings were returned depending on how quickly the bloom faded.

Balm

• Balm represented sympathy, healing, and kindness. Because of its soothing fragrance and medicinal associations, it became linked with emotional comfort and restoration.

Balsam

• Balsam symbolised impatience and urgency. The plant’s seed pods burst open suddenly when touched, which influenced its association with impulsive emotion and restless feelings.

Barberry

• Barberry carried meanings of sharpness, bitterness, and ill temper. Its thorny branches contributed to its less flattering symbolism within Victorian flower dictionaries.

Basil

• Surprisingly, basil often symbolised hatred or hostility in Victorian floriography, despite its culinary associations today. In some traditions, however, it could also represent good wishes depending on regional interpretation.

Bay Leaf

• Bay leaves represented glory, achievement, and success. Strongly connected with classical laurel wreaths, they symbolised honour, accomplishment, and poetic inspiration.

Bee Orchid

• Bee orchids symbolised uniqueness and rarity. Their unusual flower shape, resembling a bee, made them associated with individuality and natural wonder.

Begonia

• Begonias represented caution and deep thought. Victorians sometimes used them as subtle warnings to “beware” or to encourage careful consideration.

Belladonna

• Belladonna symbolised silence and dangerous beauty. Associated with mystery, temptation, and toxicity, it carried darker and more unsettling meanings within Victorian symbolism.

Bellflower

• Bellflowers represented constancy and gratitude. Their delicate nodding blooms also connected them with humility and enduring affection.

Birch

• Birch trees symbolised renewal, purification, and new beginnings. In folklore they were associated with rebirth and fresh starts due to their striking white bark and regenerative growth.

Blackthorn Blossom

• Blackthorn blossom represented difficulty, obstacles, and resilience. Because the flowers bloom before the harsh thorn-covered branches soften with leaves, the plant became associated with enduring hardship before reward.

Bleeding Heart

• Bleeding heart symbolised unrequited love, compassion, and deep emotional devotion. The heart-shaped flowers naturally linked it with feelings of tenderness and emotional vulnerability.

Bluebell

• Bluebells symbolised humility, gratitude, and everlasting love. In folklore they were also connected with mystery and enchantment, particularly within woodland traditions.

Blue Star Flower

• Blue star flowers represented hope and inspiration. Their delicate star-like blooms became associated with guidance and encouragement.

Box Tree

• Box tree symbolised stoicism and permanence. Its evergreen nature made it associated with endurance and emotional constancy.

Borage

• Borage represented courage, bravery, and straightforwardness. Historically associated with warriors and herbal remedies, it became linked with confidence and emotional honesty.

Briar Rose

• Briar rose symbolised poetry and romantic longing. Wild rose symbolism often carried softer, more wistful meanings than cultivated roses.

Brompton Stock

• Brompton stock represented lasting beauty and bonds of affection. The flower’s rich fragrance made it especially popular within Victorian cottage gardens.

Broom

• Broom symbolised humility and neatness, but in some traditions it also carried associations with protection and domestic order.

Buckbean

• Buckbean symbolised calmness and repose. Growing near quiet marshes and waterways, it became associated with tranquillity and reflection.

Bugloss

• Bugloss represented falsehood and deception in some Victorian flower dictionaries, while other interpretations connected it with sharp wit and quick intelligence.

Buttercup

• Buttercups symbolised childishness, cheerfulness, and radiant charm. Their bright golden colour connected them with joy and youthful energy, although in some Victorian interpretations they could also imply ingratitude.

Butterfly Weed

• Butterfly weed symbolised letting go and emotional release. Its bright orange flowers also carried meanings associated with vitality and transformation.

Burgundy Rose

• Burgundy roses represented unconscious beauty — beauty possessed naturally without awareness. This subtle meaning made them especially romantic within Victorian symbolism.

C

Cactus

• Cactus symbolised endurance, protection, and warmth beneath a guarded exterior. Its ability to survive harsh conditions associated it with resilience and hidden strength.

Calendula

• Calendula symbolised grief, remembrance, and enduring affection. Its bright petals opening with the sun also connected it with warmth and constancy.

Camellia

• Camellias represented admiration, perfection, and gratitude. Different colours carried additional meanings, with pink camellias often linked to longing and white varieties associated with loveliness.

Canterbury Bell

• Canterbury bells symbolised acknowledgement and gratitude. Their bell-shaped flowers were associated with appreciation and gentle affection.

Carnation

• Carnations carried varied meanings depending on colour. Generally, they represented fascination, distinction, and affection. Red carnations symbolised admiration and love, while white carnations represented purity and faithful devotion.

Cedar

• Cedar symbolised strength, incorruptibility, and enduring faith. Because of its longevity and fragrance, it also became associated with protection and permanence.

Chamomile

• Chamomile represented patience, energy in adversity, and quiet strength. Despite its delicate appearance, folklore often associated it with resilience and persistence.

Cherry Blossom

• Cherry blossom represented beauty, renewal, and the fleeting nature of life. Its short flowering season made it symbolic of appreciating precious moments.

Chicory

• Chicory symbolised frugality and perseverance. In folklore it was also connected with waiting and patient devotion.

Chrysanthemum

• Chrysanthemums represented friendship, truth, and optimism. However, meanings varied between cultures, with some traditions associating them strongly with remembrance and mourning.

Clematis

• Clematis symbolised cleverness and mental beauty. The climbing nature of the plant also connected it with aspiration and ambition.

Clover

• Clover symbolised good fortune, hope, and prosperity. Four-leaf clovers became especially associated with luck and rare blessings.

Columbine

• Columbines represented foolishness and innocence in some Victorian interpretations, while others connected them with abandoned love and romantic longing.

Cornflower

• Cornflowers symbolised delicacy, hope, and devotion. Their vivid blue colour made them especially popular as symbols of faithful affection.

Cow Parsley

• Cow parsley has no widely recognised Victorian flower meaning, but modern symbolism often associates it with simplicity, fleeting beauty, and the quiet arrival of spring. Appearing in clouds of delicate white flowers along hedgerows and country lanes, it has become linked with natural abundance, wild landscapes, and the beauty found in overlooked places.

Cowslip

• Cowslips represented youth and winning grace. In folklore they were often associated with fairy traditions and spring renewal.

Cosmos

• Cosmos symbolised harmony, order, and peace. Their balanced petals and graceful appearance made them associated with natural beauty and emotional balance.

Crocus

• Crocuses symbolised cheerfulness and youthful joy. As one of the earliest flowers to emerge after winter, they also became linked with hope and awakening.

Cyclamen

• Cyclamen symbolised resignation and sincere affection. Their delicate nodding flowers gave them associations with modesty and emotional depth.

Cypress

• Cypress symbolised mourning and eternal remembrance. Its strong association with cemeteries and memorial gardens made it a frequent symbol of grief.

D

Daffodil

• Daffodils represented rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings. Emerging early in spring, they became powerful symbols of hope, resilience, and optimism. Read the blog post 

Dahlia

• Dahlias symbolised dignity, elegance, and lasting commitment. Victorians often associated them with inner strength and grace under pressure.

Daisy

• Daisies represented innocence, purity, and loyal love. Their simple appearance also linked them with honesty and childlike joy.

Dandelion

• Dandelions symbolised faithfulness, healing, and wishes carried upon the wind. Their ability to thrive almost anywhere also connected them with resilience.

Delphinium

• Delphiniums represented cheerfulness, positivity, and goodwill. Their tall, elegant flowers also became associated with encouragement and light-heartedness.

Dog Rose

• Dog roses represented pleasure mixed with pain. Their beauty paired with thorny stems reflected both joy and emotional complexity.

Dogwood Blossom

• Dogwood blossom symbolised durability and devotion. In later symbolism it also became associated with sacrifice and resilience.

E

Echinacea (Coneflower)

• Echinacea symbolised strength and healing. Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, it became associated with health, endurance, and protection.

Edelweiss

• Edelweiss represented courage and devoted love. Because the flower traditionally grew in difficult mountainous regions, it became associated with bravery and dedication.

Elm

• Elm trees symbolised dignity and faithful love. Their strength and longevity associated them with stability and support.

Elderflower

• Elderflowers represented compassion, protection, and healing. In folklore they were also surrounded by mystery and believed to possess magical properties.

Eucalyptus

• Eucalyptus symbolised protection and renewal. Though not traditionally central to Victorian flower dictionaries, modern symbolism often associates it with healing and purification.

Everlasting Flower

• Everlasting flowers symbolised eternal remembrance and unfading affection. Their ability to retain their appearance after drying strongly influenced their meaning.

F

Fennel

• Fennel represented strength and praise. In some Victorian flower dictionaries it could also carry meanings associated with flattery or hidden emotion.

Fern

• Ferns symbolised sincerity, fascination, and hidden magic. Victorian fascination with ferns, sometimes called “Pteridomania,” made them highly fashionable symbols of mystery and enchantment.

Forget-Me-Not

• Forget-me-nots represented faithful love, remembrance, and enduring connection. Their meaning remains one of the most recognisable examples of flower symbolism today.

Foxglove

• Foxgloves symbolised insincerity and hidden intentions in Victorian flower language. Folklore also linked them with fairies and enchantment.

Frangipani

• Frangipani represented grace and new beginnings. In more modern symbolism it is also associated with beauty and gentle affection.

Freesia

• Freesias symbolised innocence, trust, and thoughtful friendship. Their delicate fragrance reinforced associations with sincerity.

Fuchsia

• Fuchsia symbolised confiding love and elegance. The graceful hanging flowers were associated with charm, refinement, and quiet beauty. Read the blog post

G

Gardenia

• Gardenias represented secret love and purity. Their rich fragrance and pristine blooms made them symbols of deep but unspoken affection.

Gentian

• Gentians symbolised determination and justice. Growing in difficult mountain environments contributed to associations with resilience and perseverance.

Geranium

• Geraniums carried varying meanings, including comfort, friendship, and gentility. Some Victorian interpretations also associated certain varieties with foolishness.

Gladiolus

• Gladiolus symbolised strength of character and moral integrity. Its sword-like leaves connected it with courage and determination.

Goldenrod

• Goldenrod represented encouragement and good fortune. Its bright golden flowers associated it with positivity and success.

Gorse

• Gorse symbolised enduring affection and hope. Because it flowers for much of the year, it became associated with persistence and constancy.

H

Hawthorn Blossom

• Hawthorn blossom represented hope and happiness but also carried associations with protection and folklore traditions.

Heather

• Heather symbolised admiration and good fortune. White heather in particular became strongly associated with luck and protection.

Heliotrope

• Heliotrope represented devotion and eternal love. Its tendency to turn toward the sun reinforced associations with unwavering affection.

Hellebore

• Hellebores symbolised scandal and anxiety in Victorian flower dictionaries, though modern interpretations often focus on resilience and winter beauty.

Hibiscus

• Hibiscus symbolised delicate beauty and fleeting joy. The flowers’ short lifespan contributed to their association with transient beauty.

Holly

• Holly symbolised foresight and domestic happiness. Its evergreen leaves and winter berries also connected it with protection and endurance.

Hollyhock

• Hollyhocks represented ambition and fertility. Their tall flower spikes also connected them with aspiration and growth.

Honeysuckle

• Honeysuckle represented devoted affection and enduring bonds. The clinging nature of the plant strengthened its symbolism of attachment and loyalty.

Hydrangea

• Hydrangeas traditionally symbolised heartfelt emotion and gratitude, although some Victorian interpretations associated them with vanity or boastfulness.

Hyacinth

• Hyacinths carried varied meanings depending on colour, but generally symbolised constancy, playfulness, and sincere feeling.

Hyssop

• Hyssop symbolised cleansing and sacrifice. Throughout history it has been associated with purification and spiritual renewal.

I

Iris

• Irises symbolised wisdom, faith, and hope. Their elegant petals and royal associations also connected them with admiration and messages of deep respect.

Ivy

• Ivy represented fidelity, friendship, and enduring attachment. Because it clings and grows persistently, Victorians associated it with loyalty and lasting bonds.

Indian Cress

• See Nasturtium 

Ipomoea

• See Morning glory

J

Jasmine

• Jasmine symbolised love, grace, and sensuality. Its sweet fragrance made it strongly associated with affection and emotional warmth.

Jonquil

• Jonquils represented desire and returned affection. In some Victorian interpretations they also carried meanings linked to longing and emotional attachment.

Juniper

• Juniper symbolised protection and support. In folklore and herbal traditions it was also associated with purification and strength.

K

Kingcup

• Kingcups symbolised wealth and youthful joy. Their bright golden flowers linked them with warmth and prosperity.

Knapweed

• Knapweed represented delicacy and refinement. In some traditions it also became associated with quiet charm and thoughtful affection.

L

Laburnum

• Laburnum symbolised forsaken love and melancholy. Despite its beautiful cascading flowers, its poisonous nature gave it more sorrowful undertones.

Larkspur

• Larkspur represented positivity, strong bonds, and an open heart. Different colours sometimes carried additional meanings, though the flower generally symbolised joy and affection.

Lavender

• Lavender represented devotion, calmness, and mistrust in some Victorian flower dictionaries. Modern symbolism more commonly associates it with serenity, comfort, and healing.

Lilac

• Lilacs symbolised youthful innocence and first emotions of love. Purple lilacs often represented early romance and emotional awakening.

Lily

• Lilies represented purity, virtue, and renewal. Different varieties carried additional meanings, but they were widely associated with grace and spiritual beauty. Read the blog post

Lily of the Valley

• Lily of the valley symbolised sweetness, humility, and the return of happiness. The delicate white flowers also became associated with hope and renewal.

Lotus

• Lotus flowers symbolised enlightenment, rebirth, and purity. Rising from muddy waters into beautiful blooms made them powerful symbols of transformation.

Love-in-a-Mist

• Love-in-a-mist represented perplexity and hidden affection. The delicate flowers surrounded by feathery foliage reinforced ideas of mystery and romance.

Lupin

• Lupins symbolised imagination and admiration. Their striking vertical flowers gave them associations with creativity and confidence.

M

Magnolia

• Magnolias symbolised dignity, perseverance, and noble beauty. Their large blossoms became associated with quiet strength and natural elegance.

Marigold

• Marigolds carried contrasting meanings including grief, jealousy, and remembrance. Their bright appearance sometimes concealed more complex emotional symbolism.

Meadowsweet

• Meadowsweet represented happiness and usefulness. Traditionally scattered at celebrations and weddings, it also carried associations with joy.

Michaelmas Daisy

• Michaelmas daisies symbolised farewell and remembrance. Blooming late in the year, they became associated with endings and reflection.

Mimosa

• Mimosa symbolised sensitivity and emotional awareness. The plant’s response to touch reinforced associations with tenderness.

Mint

• Mint represented warmth of feeling and virtue. Its refreshing fragrance also linked it with hospitality and kindness.

Mistletoe

• Mistletoe symbolised affection and overcoming obstacles. Folklore traditions also connected it with peace and protection.

Morning Glory

• Morning glory represented affection and fleeting love. Its blooms opening briefly each day made it symbolic of temporary beauty. Also known as Ipomoea.

Myrtle

• Myrtle represented love and marriage. It was frequently associated with weddings and faithful devotion.

N

Narcissus

• Narcissus symbolised self-esteem and vanity, inspired by classical mythology. Some interpretations also connected it with rebirth and renewal.

Nasturtium

• Nasturtiums represented patriotism and victory. Their bright colours also suggested strength and energetic character. Aldo known as Indian Cress.

Nightshade

• Nightshade symbolised dark thoughts and mystery. Its beauty combined with toxicity contributed to its unsettling symbolism.

O

Oak Leaf

• Oak leaves represented strength, courage, and endurance. Ancient symbolism also linked oak trees with wisdom and protection.

Oleander

• Oleander symbolised caution and beware. Despite its beautiful flowers, its poisonous nature gave it associations with danger.

Olive Branch

• Olive branches represented peace, harmony, and reconciliation. Their symbolism has endured for centuries across many cultures.

Orange Blossom

• Orange blossom represented purity, innocence, and eternal love. It became especially associated with weddings and bridal traditions.

Orchid

• Orchids symbolised refinement, beauty, and rare affection. Their unusual appearance associated them with luxury and admiration.

P

Pansy

• Pansies represented thoughtful affection and remembrance. Their name derives from the French pensée, meaning thought.

Passion Flower

• Passion flowers symbolised faith and spiritual devotion. Their unusual structure inspired many religious interpretations.

Petunia

• Petunias symbolised resentment and emotional conflict in Victorian flower language, though modern interpretations often focus more positively on comfort and companionship.

Peony

• Peonies represented prosperity, happy marriage, and compassion. Victorians also associated them with good fortune and abundance.

Periwinkle

• Periwinkles symbolised sweet memories and enduring friendship. Their trailing growth also connected them with continuity.

Phlox

• Phlox represented harmony and united souls. Clusters of flowers growing closely together reinforced symbolism connected with partnership and shared affection.

Poppy

• Poppies represented imagination, remembrance, and eternal sleep. Different colours carried additional meanings.

Primrose

• Primroses symbolised young love and the feeling of “I cannot live without you.” They also represented spring and renewal.

Q

Queen Anne’s Lace

• Queen Anne’s Lace symbolised sanctuary and delicate beauty. Its intricate lace-like flowers also connected it with grace and protection.

Quince Blossom

• Quince blossom represented temptation and fertility. The fruit and flowers were long associated with love and marriage traditions.

R

Ranunculus

• Ranunculus symbolised radiant charm and attractiveness. Victorians often used it to express admiration.

Red Rose

• Red roses represented passionate love and deep affection. They remain one of the most recognised symbols of romance.

Rhododendron

• Rhododendrons symbolised caution and danger. Their striking appearance paired with toxic qualities gave them more complex and sometimes darker meanings.

Rosemary

• Rosemary symbolised remembrance and faithful devotion. It frequently appeared at weddings and memorial ceremonies.

S

Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)

• Scabiosa symbolised love, remembrance, and loss. The delicate flowers often carried emotional meanings connected with longing and memory.

Snowdrop

• Snowdrops represented hope, resilience, and renewal. Emerging through winter ground, they became symbols of perseverance and fresh beginnings. Read the blog post 

Sunflower

• Sunflowers symbolised loyalty and admiration. Their movement towards the sun reinforced associations with devotion and constancy.

Sweet Pea

• Sweet peas represented gratitude, pleasure, and delicate goodbyes. They often carried meanings of appreciation and kindness.

Sweet William

• Sweet William represented gallantry and charm. It became associated with admiration, kindness, and romantic affection.

T

Tea Rose

Tea roses symbolised elegance and remembrance. Their delicate fragrance associated them with refined affection and thoughtful sentiment.

Thistle

• Thistles represented endurance, strength, and protection. Their ability to flourish in difficult conditions associated them with resilience.

Thyme

• Thyme represented courage and activity. Historically linked with warriors and strength, it became a symbol of bravery and energy.

Tiger Lily

• Tiger lilies symbolised pride and confidence. Their bold appearance also linked them with prosperity and ambition.

Tulip

• Tulips represented perfect love and deep affection. Different colours carried additional meanings, particularly within romantic symbolism.

Tuberose

• Tuberose symbolised dangerous pleasure and intense passion. Its powerful fragrance contributed to associations with desire and temptation

U

Umbrella Plant

• Umbrella plants symbolised protection and shelter. Their broad, spreading form associated them with safety and comfort.

Uvularia

• Uvularia, sometimes known as bellwort, symbolised modesty and quiet grace. Its delicate nodding flowers reinforced associations with humility and understated beauty.

V

Valerian

Valerian symbolised readiness and adaptability. Because of its medicinal history, it was also associated with comfort and calm.

Verbena

• Verbena symbolised enchantment, healing, and sensitivity. Long associated with folklore and herbal traditions, it was also considered a symbol of creativity and protection.

Vervain

• Vervain represented magic, inspiration, and emotional calm. In both folklore and Victorian symbolism it carried associations with sacred rituals and peace.

Violet

• Violets symbolised modesty, faithfulness, and devoted love. Their small flowers and gentle fragrance made them enduring symbols of loyalty and sincerity.

Virginia Creeper

• Virginia creeper represented fidelity and lasting attachment. Its vigorous growth became associated with enduring connections.

W

Wallflower

• Wallflowers symbolised faithful affection and quiet devotion. Growing in unexpected places, they also became associated with constancy through difficult circumstances.

Water Lily

• Water lilies represented purity, enlightenment, and peace. Rising above still waters made them symbolic of beauty emerging from difficulty. Read the blog post 

White Rose

• White roses symbolised innocence, purity, and reverence. They were often associated with sincere love and spiritual devotion.

Willow

• Willows symbolised grief and mourning. Their drooping branches also associated them with sorrow, reflection, and unrequited love.

Winter Jasmine

• Winter jasmine represented hope and resilience. Flowering during colder months connected it with perseverance and optimism.

Wisteria

• Wisteria symbolised welcome, devotion, and enduring affection. Its cascading flowers also carried associations with longevity and deep emotional connection.

Wood Anemone

• Wood anemones represented anticipation and fragile hope. Their delicate woodland flowers linked them with fleeting beauty.

X

Xeranthemum

• Xeranthemum symbolised eternity and everlasting remembrance. Because the flowers retain their shape when dried, they became associated with memories that endure beyond time.

 

Y

Yarrow

• Yarrow symbolised healing, courage, and lasting love. In folklore it was also associated with protection and strengthening emotional bonds.

Yellow Rose

• Yellow roses represented friendship and joy. In some Victorian interpretations they could also suggest jealousy or decreasing affection, making their symbolism more complex than modern meanings.

Yucca

• Yucca symbolised protection and endurance. Its ability to thrive in difficult environments linked it with determination and resilience.

Z

Zinnia

• Zinnias symbolised lasting friendship, remembrance, and thoughts of absent loved ones. Their long-lasting blooms made them natural symbols of endurance.

Zea (Maize Flower)

• Zea, or maize flowers, symbolised abundance and prosperity. Because of the plant’s strong connection with harvests and nourishment, it became associated with plenty and gratitude.

Zephyr Flower

• Zephyr flowers symbolised expectation and hope. Their delicate blooms appearing suddenly after rain associated them with renewal and pleasant surprises.

Missing a flower?

Flower meanings evolved across cultures and many plants carried multiple interpretations, with symbolism often changing between countries, traditions, and time periods. This glossary will continue to grow as new entries are added, bringing together both well-known Victorian flower meanings and lesser-known symbolic blooms, herbs, trees, and plants.

Interested in the stories behind flower symbolism? Explore our Language of Flowers guide to discover how Victorians used flowers to express love, friendship, remembrance, and emotions that were often left unspoken.

Looking for jewellery inspired by flowers and symbolism?

Explore our Herbarium Collection, inspired by wildflowers, botanical forms, and the hidden meanings found in nature — from delicate spring blooms and heritage florals to pieces that celebrate the stories and symbolism carried within the natural world.