A rose is a rose is a rose — or is it? Beyond their natural beauty, flowers have been bestowed with symbolic significance for centuries. Some are thought to bring good fortune and others … well, not so much. We have picked some of the most familiar varieties whose underlying meanings may affect how you feel about planting them in your garden or carrying them in a nosegay as you walk down the aisle. But no matter what meaning is attributed to these lovelies, we think that first and foremost, you can safely choose whichever is your favorite — for that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Calla Lily: Beauty
It comes as no surprise that these dramatic flowers, named after the Greek word calla, meaning beauty, are seen as symbols of charm and magnificence. Calla lilies are beautiful on their own or combined with other flowers, like roses and hydrangeas. The traditional white calla lily can signify purity and innocence, while the pinks represent admiration, and the purples signify passion. These blossoms really shine in a wedding bouquet with the addition of vine-like creeping Jenny and delicate catmint, an herb, which shares the same feline love as catnip.
Carnation: Versatility
Long-lasting and available year-round, carnations can be incorporated into wedding flora throughout all four seasons. These Mediterranean blooms traditionally come in white, pink, red, and yellow, and more colors are available through selective breeding. White can symbolize pure love and good luck, while red might signify love and affection. Yellow carnations, on the other hand, can forecast rejection or disappointment. Carnations are generally affordable and can be used as both the spotlight flower and for filler, with hypericum and dainty white baby’s breath rounding out a sweet and simple bouquet.
daisy flower on a summer field
daisy flowers on a sunny summer field
Daisy: Loyalty
This flower’s name came from an Old English term meaning “day’s eye,” as their petals opening in the morning and closing by nightfall. Because of this, the daisy is well-known for being a symbol of new beginnings. The most common daisy color is white, which can mean fidelity, innocence, and eternal love — an excellent option for one’s wedding day. For good luck, add in some bright yellow daisies. Among the most popular, the cheery Gerbera come in vivid shades like red, orange, and pink through hybridization. Their florets pair well with foliage such as the round and hardy Billy ball, spiky thistles, or lavender.
Hydrangea: Understanding
Originating in Japan, the hydrangea has connotations that are equal parts positive and negative, depending on the culture. Pink and purple blossoms can symbolize heartfelt emotion and the desire to deeply understand the recipient. Blue petals can be known as a symbol of frigidity since in Victorian times, men would send blue hydrangea to women who rejected them to imply the woman was cold or heartless. White hydrangea can represent boasting or bragging. Regardless of their color, these blooms fit well with the flat-topped Queen Anne’s lace and dark red amaranthus. Hydrangeas don’t generally fare well when grown in the Texas heat, although they can survive as long as they get enough shade.
Lilac: Joy
The lilac has found significance in cultures around the world, from southeastern Europe to Russia. Named in part for their pretty colors, the lilac comes in shades of white, violet, magenta, blue, and lilac, a pale lavender hue. Violet lilacs can symbolize spirituality, blue may denote happiness and tranquility, and its namesake shade is known as a symbol of first love. These tubular buds pair well with rounder flowers and foliage but can be used on their own to create a simple and rustic feel. Most common lilac bushes do not grow well in Texas; instead, substitute Texas Lilac Vitex, also known as Mexican lavender.
Orchid: Elegance
Another Greek-inspired bloom, the orchid is named after the Greek word “orkhis,” meaning testicle, coined by an ancient botanist who thought the tubers resembled a part of the male anatomy, thus lending itself to be a symbol of fertility and sexuality. In modern days, the orchid can come in shades of white representing elegance, pink expressing femininity or grace, yellow symbolizing friendship, purple attributed to admiration, and orange sparking enthusiasm and pride. These blossoms fit in with tropical palmetto and classic ferns.
Peony: Kindness
Perfect in pink … and red, orange, and yellow too! Known in China as the “King of Flowers,” the peony has a long history of representing royalty and nobility due to being planted at the Imperial Palace during the Sui and Tang dynasties. But their guards also have a softer side, their popular blush-colored petals can convey happiness in life, prosperity, and compassion. Peonies go best with dusty Miller, or silver ragwort, due to Miller’s silvery palette, and eucalyptus, another dusty white perennial, that’s known for its menthol scent when bruised.
Persian Buttercup: Attraction
The ranunculus looks just as intricate as its name sounds. The most common ranunculus flower is the Persian ranunculus, or Persian buttercup, which originated in the Middle East. The cheerful, round flower itself typifies charm and attraction, and comes in warm shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink. For passion and romance, add some red ranunculus, or yellow for joy and positivity to your bouquet. Purple brings a little mystery, and pink can remind brides of the love and gentle feelings they have for their partner on their wedding day. These blooms pair well with eucalyptus' younger sibling, seeded eucalyptus, and green hydrangea.
Rose: Romance
Roses are seen as a timeless classic and one of the most popular icons when it comes to love. These perennials come in shades across the rainbow, each color representing a different emotion. Red roses, the most well-known bud, traditionally conveys love, while the delicate white rose can suggest innocence and purity. While yellow roses might seem like a good fit for a spring or summer wedding, these blossoms represent infidelity and a decrease in love — perhaps not a good omen for the happy couple. However, most Texans connote the yellow rose made famous in the song, Yellow Rose of Texas. Roses of all shades pair well with peaceful olive greenery and leather leaf ferns, as well as flowers like orchids and carnations.
Tulip: Perfect Love
According to an ancient Persian legend, the tulip symbolizes perfect love. Tulips can come in pink signifying happiness; purple indicating royalty and a nod to the flower’s origin, yellow representing cheerful thoughts, red relating to passion, and white, a symbol of forgiveness. Tulips make stunning bouquets on their own but can be paired with more subtle foliage and filler flowers to create a more full and well-rounded look. In gardens, tulips are easy to care for, requiring only sunlight and a little water to grow.
Three Simple Ways to Preserve Flowers
Dried
Pros:
- Easy
- Can be done at home
- Doesn’t require expensive materials
Cons:
- Flowers will shrink
- Colors will fade gradually
- Takes a long time
The Process: Get rid of excess leaves, petals, or already-browning pieces. Wrap and tie a piece of string or twine around the bottom of the stems or use a rubber band as an anchor, if that’s easier. Hang the bouquet upside down in a dark, dry spot for at least two weeks, though some bouquets can take longer.
Pressed
Pros:
- Easy
- Can be done at home
Cons:
- Need a pressing kit or access to very heavy books
- Can only preserve a few flowers instead of an entire bouquet
- Takes a long time
The Process: Choose which flowers you would like to keep from your bouquet and get rid of excess leaves and rotting pieces. Place the flowers in between two pieces of blank parchment paper. Get a heavy book, such as a dictionary, and place the flowers towards the bottom of the book. Place one or two more on top in order to create enough pressure. Check after two weeks, and repress until completely dry.
Silica Gel
Pros:
- Preserves the flower’s shape, color, and look
- Doesn’t take as long
- Will last longer
Cons:
- Need to buy silica drying gel and other materials
- Can be messy
- Flowers will shrink
The Process: Purchase silica drying gel at a local craft store. Using a brush, dust the bouquet with the powder. Place the flowers in a box with a lid and fill the box with the rest of the powder, making sure the bouquet is completely covered. After a week, take out the bouquet and dust off the excess powder. Method works best with hardy flowers such as roses, ranunculus, and peonies. Optional: Use protective sealant spray to help it last even longer if displaying it.
