A Victorian Valentine

In recent times Valentine’s Day has become such a commercial event, the sentiment of the day is often sadly forgotten.

Back in Victorian times Valentine’s Day was at its height. A Valentines card was much more cherished than a Christmas card and sentimentality was the order of the day.

Victorian’s messages of love were delivered through secret meanings associated with certain flowers and plants. Each type and colour meant something different making every gift thoroughly unique and personal.

To help you up your game this Valentine’s Day, we had a look at some of the secret meanings associated with flowers, plants and their colours.

Birth Flowers

The gift of a plant that represents your valentine’s birth month is a sure win, and a sentimental way to say I love you.

Meanings behind Flowers & Plants

• Orchids – A potted orchid is simple, elegant and exotic. They convey love, beauty, endurance and strength.
• Cactus – These plants represent endurance and longevity and are visually interesting and easy to maintain – always a plus!
• Lavender – Lavender flowers are known represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace and calmness.
• Houseplants – Plants with small flowers represent loyalty, while plants with just foliage such as ferns and bamboo represent good fortune.
• Daffodil – These sunshine coloured flowers represent chivalry & devotion but also unrequited love which makes them a good choice if being sent from a secret admirer.
• Forget-me-not – These vibrant blue flowers represent the remembrance of true love.
• Primroses – These colourful plants have a double meaning they represent young love so are the perfect gift for a new relationship, or newly engaged couple. But they also convey the message of “I can’t live without you!”
• Rose – A single rose of any colour in full bloom means “I love you.” Two roses put together to form a single stem means an engagement.  White roses are a less common choice and representunity of a relationship.
• Violet – these beautiful plants represent faithfulness which is essential to every relationship.

Why not create your own unique message by combing different coloured plants?

Meaning behind the Colours of flowers

• White – White flowers are gorgeous, unique, and non-traditional. They are perfect for a new relationship or for telling your partner how perfect they are. White roses the not so common choice represent the unity of a relationship.
• Red – Red is traditionally the colour of love and romance. A red rose shows your love, passion & desire.
• Pink – Pink is perfect for the sweet, romantic person in your life.
• Yellow & Red – If you want to let someone know that you’re falling in love with them, send them these flowers. The yellow symbolizes your current friendship and the red shows that you want things to move towards a relationship.
• Orange Send orange flowers, or other orange gifts, to someone that really makes you feel warm and happy inside. Orange roses also hint towards mischievousness and are perfect for sending as a secret admirer.
• Green – Cut flowers fade, potted plants last so much longer. Show your love will stand the test of time and you’re in it for the long haul.
• Purple/Lavender – Send this colour to your partner to let her know how truly unique she is. Because purple is often associated with nobility, so giving purple tells your partner that you put them on a pedestal. Lavender shades also represent trust.

We’re here to help

If you need any help choosing a plant for a gift, ask any of our horticulturists in store. We’d love to help!