15 Iconic Flowers and Their Meanings
These 15 beautiful blooms speak volumes when you send them for Valentine's Day or any other day.

Photo By: Photo courtesy of Hadley Cash
Photo By: Photo courtesy of Peggy Greb USDA ARS
Photo By: Photo courtesy of John Scheepers Flower Bulbs
Photo By: Photo courtesy of Cal Lemke
Photo By: Photo courtesy of John Scheepers Flower Bulbs
Photo By: Photo courtesy of John Scheepers Flower Bulbs
Photo By: Photo courtesy of the National Garden Bureau
Photo By: Photo courtesy of PanAmerican Seed
Photo By: Photo courtesy of the National Garden Bureau
Photo By: Photo courtesy of Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Photo By: Longfield Gardens
Photo By: Bailey Nurseries, Inc.
Photo By: Julie Martens Forney
Night Flame ‘Royal Ruby’ Orchid
Red Rose
Tulips
Dahlia 'Mystery Day'
Hyacinth ‘Blue Jacket’
Narcissus
Pansy
Poppy
Yellow and Orange Marigolds
Sweet Pea
Carnation
Give a carnation, and you’re speaking volumes in the language of flowers. These classic blooms are florist shop favorites and are given for all kinds of occasions, from birthdays to retirements. Carnation meaning varies depending on the flower color. But at its heart, basic carnation flower meaning embraces the ideas of fascination, distinction and love. The love aspect of carnation meaning includes everything from a mother’s devoted love to a suitor’s passion for his bride
Read More: Carnation Flower Meaning
Iris
Discover the rich history behind iris flowers and iris meaning. This beautiful bloom traces a heritage through Greek mythology. In Greek, the name "Iris" translates as "rainbow," which is one iris definition. There’s another Greek word, "eiris," which means "messenger," which gave rise to another iris flower meaning having to do with words.
Read More: Iris Flower: Varieties to Grow and How to Care for Them
Peony
Discover the rich history behind spring peony flowers. These long-lived perennials are legacy plants in the garden, growing for generations with little maintenance. The blossoms are luxurious, and peony meaning is equally lush with an international history that spans millennia.
Botanically, peonies fall into the genus Paeonia. The common or garden peony is Paeonia lactiflora. It’s also sometimes referred to as Chinese peony, which is appropriate, since the peony is a traditional floral symbol in China. Peony meaning in China embraces several concepts. On its own, the peony flower represents wealth and good fortune in Chinese culture.
More Peony Meaning: Peony Meaning: Learn Peony Symbolism
Chrysanthemum
Celebrate fall garden mums in a new way: by learning about chrysanthemum symbolism. This cherished flower offers beauty that’s more than petal deep. When you dig into chrysanthemum meanings, you discover that this bloomer boasts a long pedigree and a host of symbolism.
The history of chrysanthemum dates to China in the 15th Century. Chrysanthemum flowers offered such perfection with the beautiful alignment of petals that it quickly became the blossom of nobility in ancient China. It was held in such high esteem that only nobles were permitted to grow it. In this time, chrysanthemum meaning came to include longevity, and it was adopted by the Old Chinese Army as a symbol.
Read More: Chrysanthemum Meaning
Calla Lily
Discover the history behind the beauty as you explore calla lily meaning. These elegant blooms have a long and rich heritage that embraces almost contradictory symbolism. On the one hand, calla lily meaning expresses the idea of life and fertility, while on the other it’s a well-known symbol of death.
One early calla lily meaning originates in ancient Greek culture, where the flower was thought to represent magnificent beauty. This origin stems from a tale regarding Hercules as a baby. His father, the Greek god Zeus, had conceived him with an earthly woman, which meant he would lack divine, supernatural powers. Zeus drugged his goddess wife Hera to trick her into nursing the baby Hercules (to give him divine powers).
Read More: Calla Lily Meaning