So roses mean love, tulips mean passion. Want more? Consult our guide to the symbolic meaning of flowers.

Anemone

Meaning:

Expectation

Best For:

Bouquets and arrangements

Scent:

None

Floral Fact:

Anemones bloom in either single or double blossoms

Baby’s Breath

Meaning:

Innocence

Best For:

Filler in bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres

Scent:

None

Calla Lily

Meaning:

Magnificent beauty

Best For:

Bouquets and arrangements

Scent:

Lightly fragrant

Floral Fact:

This large tropical flower is very popular in weddings

Carnation

Meaning:

Pink represents boldness, red symbolises love, and white indicates talent

Best For:

Bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements

Scent:

Very light fragrance or none at all, depending on variety

Chrysanthemum

Meaning:

Wealth, abundance, truth

Best For:

Bouquets and arrangements

Scent:

None

Daffodil

Meaning:

Regard

Best For:

Garden settings, in pots

Scent:

None

Daisy

Meaning:

Share your feelings

Best For:

Bouquets

Scent:

None

Delphinium

Meaning:

Swiftness, lightness

Best For:

Arrangements

Scent:

Lightly fragrant

Freesia

Meaning:

Innocence

Best For:

Bouquets

Scent:

Very fragrant

Gardenia

Meaning:

Purity, joy

Best For:

Bouquets and boutonnieres

Scent:

Very fragrant

Hydrangea

Meaning:

Understanding

Best For:

Bouquets and arrangements

Scent:

None

Iris

Meaning:

A message of faith, wisdom

Best For:

In arrangements or potted

Scent:

Fragrant

Floral Fact:

Irises come in several sizes; they are usually blue or white, but you may find exotic varieties (including purple ones).

Lilac

Meaning:

Love’s first emotions

Best For:

Filler in arrangements or as part of bouquets, depending on variety

Scent:

Very fragrant

Floral Fact:

The local lilac is grown like a bush, and is used as filler because of its greenery. The French lilac is more flower-like and can be used as such in bouquets and arrangements

Lily

Meaning:

Majesty, truth, honour

Best For:

Bouquets and arrangements

Scent:

Fragrant

Lily of the Valley

Meaning:

Happiness

Best For:

Bouquets, in combination with other flowers

Scent:

Fragrant

Floral Fact:

These small, fragile, bell-shaped flowers are considered traditional marriage flowers

Magnolia

Meaning:

Love of nature

Best For:

Arrangements

Scent:

Depends on variety

Orchid

Meaning:

Love, beauty

Best For:

Bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres

Scent:

None

Floral Fact:

This exotic flower comes in a variety of colours and sizes

Peony

Meaning:

Bashfulness, the American spirit of ambition and determination

Best For:

Arrangements

Scent:

Lightly fragrant

Rose

Meaning:

Love, joy, beauty

Best For:

Bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and arrangements

Scent:

Lightly fragrant to very fragrant, depending on variety

Floral Fact:

Roses are the most popular wedding flowers

Stephanotis

Meaning:

Marital happiness

Best For:

Bouquets and arrangements

Scent:

Very fragrant

Floral Fact:

These trumpet-shape blossoms are traditional bridal flowers, no doubt due to their meaning

Stock

Meaning:

Lasting beauty

Best For:

Filler in arrangements

Scent:

Very fragrant

Sunflower

Meaning:

Short-stemmed sunflowers mean adoration; long-stemmed sunflowers symbolize haughtiness

Best For:

Carrying a single stem down the aisle; potted arrangements

Scent:

None

Sweet Pea

Meaning:

Pleasure

Best For:

Garden setting, in vases

Scent:

Fragrant

Tulip

Meaning:

Love, passion

Best For:

Arrangements and bouquets

Scent:

None

Floral Fact:

These sweet and stately flowers can be found in a myriad of colours, but they are very fragile