The Language of Flowers
(Circa 1880s)

Acacia: Concealed love.
Acacia, Rose: Friendship
Acanthus: Arts
Adonis Vernalis: Bitter memories
Agnus Casus (OED: Chaste-tree, Abraham's Balm): Coldness
Agrimony: Thankfulness
Almond: Hope
Aloe: Superstition
Althea (OED: family including marsh mallow and hollyhock): Consumed by
love.
Alyssum, Sweet: Worth beyond beauty.
Amaranth: Immortality.
Amaryllis: Splendid beauty.
Ambrosia (OED: plants related to wormwood): Love returned.
Anemone: Expectation
Anemone, Garden: Forsaken.
Angelica: Inspiration.
Apocynum (Dogbane): Inspiration.
Apple: Temptation
Apple Blossom: Preference
Arbor vitae: Unchanging friendship
Arbutus, Trailing (OED: ground laurel, mayflower): Welcome
Arum: Ardor
Ash: Grandeur
Ash, Mountain: Prudence
Aspen Tree: Lamentation
Asphodel: Regrets beyond the grave.
Aurilica: Avarice
Azalea: Romance
Bachelor's Button: Hope in love.
Balm: Sympathy
Balm of Gilead: Healing
Balsam: Impatience
Barberry: Sharpness, satire.
Basil: Hatred
Bay Leaf: No change till death.
Beech: Prosperity
Bee Ophrys (OED: a member of the orchid family): Error
Bee Orchis (OED puts this with Bee Ophrys, above?): Industry
Bell Flower (OED: common name for bluebells, harebells, etc.): Gratitude
Belvidere, Wild (Licorice): I declare against you.
Bilberry (OED: aka whortleberry): Treachery
Birch Tree: Meekness
Black Bryony (OED: aka Lady's Seal): Be my support.
Bladder-Nut Tree: Frivolous amusements.
Blue Bottle (OED: Blue cornflower): Delicacy
Borage: Bluntness
Box (OED: box-tree, boxwood): Contancy
Briers: Envy
Broken Straw: Constancy
Broom: Neatness
Buckbean: Calm repose
Bugloss: Falsehood
Burdock (OED: burweed): Importunity
Buttercup: Riches
Cactus: Thou leavest me.
Calla Lilly: Feminine beauty
Calycanthus (OED: one kind is Carolina Allspice): Benevolence
Camelia: Pity
Camomile: Energy in action.
Candytuft: Indifference
Canterbury Bell (OED: like a bluebell): Gratitude
Cape Jasmine Gardenia: Transport, ecstasy.
Cardinal Flower (OED: Scarlet Lobelia): Distinction
Carnation, Yellow: Disdain
Catchfly (Silene), Red: Youthful love.
Catchfly, White: I fall a victim.
Cedar: I live for thee.
Cedar of Lebanon: Incorruptible.
Celandine (OED: swallow-wort, pilewort, figwort): Future joy
Cherry Tree: Good education.
Chickweed: I cling to thee.
Chickory: Frugality
China Aster: I will think of thee.
China, Pink (OED: a perennial flowering pink): Aversion
Chrysanthemum, Rose: In love
Chrysanthemum, White: Truth
Chrysanthemum, Yellow: Slighted love
Cinquefoil: Beloved child
Clematis: Artifice
Clover, Red: Industry
Coboea: Gossip
Coxcomb: Foppery
Colchium (OED: same as Colchicum? If so, meadow-saffron.): My best days
fled.
Coltsfoot: Justice shall be done you.
Columbine: Folly.
Columbine, Purple: Resolved to win.
Columbine, Red: Anxious
Convolvulus Major (OED: bindweed): Dead hope
Convolvulus Minor (OED: bindweed): Uncertainty
Corchorus: Impatience of happiness
Corcopsis: Love at first sight.
Coriander: Hidden merit
Corn: Riches
Cornelian Cherry Tree: Durability
Coronilla: Success to you.
Cowslip: Pensiveness
Cowslip, American: My divinity.
Crocus: Cheerfulness
Crown Imperial (OED: fritillary): Majesty
Currants: You please me.
Cypress: Mourning
Cypress and Marigold: Despair
Daffodil: Chivalry
Dahlia: Forever thine
Daisy, Garden: I share your feelings.
Daisy, Michaelmas: Farewell
Daisy, Red: Beauty unknown to possessor
Daisy, White: Innocence
Daisy, Wild: I will think of it.
Dandelion: Coquetry
Daphne Mezereon (OED: a member of the laurel family): I desire to please.
Daphne Odora (OED: a member of the laurel family): I would not have you
otherwise.
Deadleaves: Sadness
Diosma (OED: an African heath): Usefulness
Dittany: Birth
Dock: Patience
Dodder: Meanness
Dogwood, Flowering (Cornus): Am I indifferent to you?
Ebony: Hypocrisy
Eglantine (OED: sweet-briar): I wound to heal.
Elder: Compassion
Elm: Dignity
Endine: Frugality
Epigaea, Repens (Mayflower): Budding beauty
Eupatorium: Delay
Evening Primrose: Inconstancy
Evergreen: Poverty
Everlasting (Graphalium): Never ceasing memory
Filbert: Reconciliation
Fir Tree: Elevation
Flax: I feel your kindness.
Flora's Bell: Without pretension
Flowering Reed: Confide in heaven.
Forget-me-not: True love.
Foxglove: Insincerity.
Fraxinella (OED: cultivated dittany): Fire
Fritilaria (Guinea-hen Flower): Persecution
Furze: Anger
Fuchsia: The ambition of my love thus plagues itself.
Fuchsia, Scarlet: Taste
Gardenia: Transport, ecstasy
Gentian, Fringed: Intrinsic worth
Geranium, Apple: Present preference
Geranium, Ivy: Your hand for next dance.
Geranium, Nutmeg: I expect a meeting.
Geranium, Oak: Lady, deign to smile.
Geranium, Rose: Preference
Geranium, Silver-leaf: Recall
Gillyflower (OED: wallflower or pink): Lasting beauty
Gladiolus: Ready armed
Golden Rod: Encouragement
Gooseberry: Anticipation
Goosefoot: Goodness
Gorse: Endearing affection
Grape: Charity
Grass: Utility
Guelder Rose (Snowball) (OED: snowball-tree): Winter
Harebell: Grief
Hawthorn: Hope
Heart's Ease (OED: pansy): Think of me.
Heart's Ease, Purple: You occupy my thoughts.
Hazel: Reconciliation
Heath: Solitude
Helenium (OED: a sneezeweed): Tears
Heliotrope, Peruvian: I love; devotion.
Hellebore: Scandal
Henbane: Blemish
Hepatica (OED: either an anemone or liverwort): Confidence
Hibiscus: Delicate beauty
Holly: Foresight
Hollyhock: Fruitfulness
Hollyhock, White: Female ambition
Honesty (Lunaria): Sincerity
Honeysuckle: The bond of love.
Honeysuckle, Coral: The color of my fate.
Honeysuckle, Monthly: I will not answer hastily.
Hop: Injustice
Hornbeam: Ornament
Horse-Chestnut: Luxury
House-Leek: Domestic economy
Houstonia (OED: group that includes bluets): Content
Hoya (Wax Plant): Sculpture
Hyacinth: Jealousy
Hyacinth, Blue: Constancy
Hyacinth, Purple: Sorrow
Hydrangea: Heartlessness
Ice Plant: Your looks freeze me.
Indian Cress (OED: nasturtium): Resignation
Ipomaca: I attach myself to you.
Iris: Message
Iris, German: Flame
Ivy: Friendship; matrimony
Jessamine, Cape (OED: jasmine): Transient joy
Jessamine, White (OED: jasmine): Amiability
Jessamine, Yellow (OED: jasmine): Grace; elegance
Jonquil: Return my affection.
Judas-Tree: Betrayed
Juniper: Perfect loveliness
Kalmia (Mountain Laurel): Treachery
Kennedia: Intellectual beauty
Laburnum: Pensive beauty
Lady's Slipper: Capricious beauty
Lagerstroema (Cape Myrtle): Eloquence
Lantana: Rigor
Larch: Boldness
Larkspur: Fickleness
Laurel: Glory
Laurestinus: I die if neglected.
Lavender: Distrust
Lemon Blossom: Discretion
Lettuce: Cold-hearted
Lilac: First emotion of love.
Lilac, White: Youth
Lily: Purity; modesty
Lily of the Valey [sic]: Return of happiness
Lily, Day: Coquetry
Lily, Water: Eloquence
Lily, Yellow: Falsehood
Linden Tree: Conjugal love
Live Oak: Liberty
Liverwort: Confidence
Locust: Affection beyond the grave.
London Pride (OED: Sweet William or lychnis): Frivolity
Lotus: Forgetful of the past.
Love in a Mist: You puzzle me.
Love Lies Bleeding: Hopeless, not heartless.
Lucerne: Life
Lungwort (Pulmonaria): Thou art my life.
Lupine: Imagination
Lychnis (OED: genus including campion): Religious enthusiasm
Lythrum (OED: genus including loosestrife): Pretension
Madder: Calumny
Maiden's Hair: Discretion
Magnolia, Chinese: Love of Nature
Magnolia, Grandiflora: Peerless and proud
Magnolia, Swamp: Perseverance
Mallow: Sweetness
Mandrake: Horror
Maple: Reserve
Marigold: Cruelty
Marigold, African: Vulgar-minded
Marigold, French: Jealousy
Marjoram: Blushes
Marshmallow: Beneficence
Marvel of Peru (Four o'clock): Timidity
Meadow Saffron: My best days gone.
Meadow Sweet: Usefulness
Mignonette: Your qualities surpass your charms.
Mimosa: Sensitiveness
Mint: Virtue
Mistletoe: I surmount all difficulties.
Mock Orange (Syringia): Counterfeit
Monkshood: A deadly foe is near.
Moonwort: Forgetfulness.
Morning Glory: Coquetry
Moss: Maternal love
Motherwort: Secret love
Mourning Bride (Scabious): Unfortunate attachment
Mouse-ear Chickweed: Simplicity
Mulberry, Black: I will not survive you.
Mulberry, White: Wisdom
Mullein: Good nature
Mushroom: Suspicion
Mush Plant: Weakness
Mustard Seed: Indifference
Myosotis (OED: mouse-ear): Forget me not.
Myrtle: Love
Narcissus: Egotism
Nasturtium: Patriotism
Nettle: Cruelty; slander
Night Blooming Cereus: Transient beauty
Nightshade: Bitter truth
Oak: Hospitality
Oats: Music
Oleander: Beware
Orange: Generosity
Orange Flower: Chastity
Orchis (OED: typical genus of orchids): Beauty
Osier (OED: a species of willow): Frankness
Osmunda (OED: a genus of ferns): Dreams
Pansy: Think of me.
Parsley: Entertainment
Pasque Flower: Unpretentious
Passion Flower: Religious fervor
Pea: Appointed meeting
Pea, Everlasting: Wilt go with me?
Pea, Sweet: Departure
Peach Blossom: My heart is thine.
Pear Tree: Affection
Peony: Anger
Pennyroyal: Flee away.
Periwinkle: Sweet memories
Persimmon: Bury me amid nature's beauties.
Petunica (poss. petunia?): Am not proud.
Pheasant's Eye: Sorrowful memories
Phlox: Our souls united.
Pimpernel: Change
Pine: Time
Pine Apple: You are perfect.
Pine, Spruce: Farewell
Pink: Pure affection
Pink, Clove: Dignity
Pink, Double-red: Pure, ardent love
Pink, Indian: Aversion
Pink, Mountain: You are aspiring.
Pink, Variegated: Refusal
Pink, White: You are fair.
Pink, Yellow: Disdain
Plane Tree: Genius
Pleurisy Root (Asclopias): Heartache cure
Plum Tree: Keep promise.
Plum Tree, Wild: Independence
Polyanthus: Confidence
Poplar, Black: Courage
Poplar, White: Time
Poppy: Consolation
Poppy, White: Sleep of the heart.
Pomegranate: Foolishness
Pomegranate Flower: Elegance
Potato: Beneficience
Pride of China (Melia): Dissension
Primrose: Early youth
Primrose, Evening: Inconstancy
Privet: Mildness
Pumpkin: Coarseness
Quince: Temptation
Ragged-robin (Lychnis): Wit
Ranunculus (OED: genus including buttercups): Radiant with charms.
Reeds: Music
Rhododendron: Agitation
Rose: Beauty
Rose, Austrian: Thou art all that is lovely.
Rose, Bridal: Happy love
Rose, Burgundy: Unconscious beauty
Rose, Cabbage: Love's ambassador
Rose, Campion: Only deserve my love.
Rose, Carolina: Love is dangerous.
Rose, China: Grace
Rose, Daily: That smile I would aspire to.
Rose, Damask: Freshness
Rose, Dog: Pleasure and pain
Rose, Hundred Leaf: Pride
Rose, Inermis: Ingratitude
Rose, Maiden's Blush: If you do love me you will find me out.
Rose, Moss: Superior merit
Rosebud, Moss: Confessed love
Rose, Multiflora: Grace
Rose, Musk-cluster: Charming
Rose, Sweetbriar: Sympathy
Rose, Tea: Always lovely
Rose, Unique: Call me not beautiful.
Rose, White: I am worthy of you.
Rose, White (withered): Transient impression
Rose, Wild: Simplicity
Rose, Yellow: Decrease of love
Rose, York and Lancaster: War
Roses, Garland of: Reward of virtue
Rosebud: Young girl
Rosebud, White: The heart that knows not love.
Rosemary: Your presence revives me.
Rue: Disdain
Rush: Docility
Saffron: Excess is dangerous.
Sage: Esteem
Sardonia: Irony
Satin-flower (Lunaria): Sincerity
Scabious, Mourning Bride: Widowhood
Sensitive Plant: Timidity
Service Tree: Prudence
Snapdragon: Presumption
Snowball: Thoughts of heaven
Snowdrop: Consolation
Sorrel: Wit ill-timed
Southernwood: Jesting
Spearmint: Warm feelings
Speedwell, Veronica: Female fidelity
Spindle-tree: Your image is engraven on my heart.
Star of Bethlehem: Reconciliation
Starwort, American: Welcome to a stranger.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum): Superstition
Stock, Ten-week: Promptitude
Stramonium, Common (OED: thorn-apple): Disguise
Strawberry: Perfect excellence
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus): Esteemed love
Sumac: Splendor
Sunflower, Dwarf: Your devout admirer
Sunflower, Fall: Pride
Sweet Sultan: Felicity
Sweet William: Artifice
Sycamore: Curiosity
Syringia (OED: syringa mock-orange or lilac): Memory
Tansy: I declare against you.
Teasel: Misanthropy
Thistle: Austerity
Thorn Apple: Deceitful charms
Thorn, Black: Difficulty
Thorns: Severity
Thrift: Sympathy
Throatwood (Pulmonaria): Neglected beauty
Thyme: Activity
Tiger Flower: May pride befriend thee.
Touch me not, Balsam: Impatience
Truffle: Surprise
Trumpet Flower: Separation
Tuberose: Dangerous pleasures
Tulip: Declaration of love
Tulip Tree: Rural happiness
Tulip, Variegated: Beautiful eyes
Tulip, Yellow: Hopeless love
Turnip: Charity
Valerian: Accommodating disposition
Venus's Flytrap: Caught at last.
Venus's Looking-glass: Flattery.
Verbena: Sensibility
Vine: Intoxicating
Violet, Blue: Love
Violet, White: Modesty
Violet, Yellow: Modest worth
Virgin's Bower: Filial love
Wall Flower: Fidelity
Walnut: Stratagem
Weeping Willow: Forsaken
Wheat: Prosperity
Woodbine: Fraternal love
Wood Sorrel: Joy
Wormwood: Absence
Yarrow: Cure for heartache
Yew: Sorrow
Zennae (poss. zinnia?): Absent friends