When we think of Valentine's Day flowers, the classic red Rose immediately comes to mind! Long symbolizing passionate love and deep devotion, the Rose has overshadowed other blooms with equally meaningful symbolism!
But did you know that in the Victorian era, lovers and admirers sent hidden messages through carefully arranged bouquets? The Victorian language of flowers, or floriography, allowed people to express emotions that words could not.
This Valentine's Day, go beyond celebrating your love on just a single day! Show your affection year-round, and create a meaningful, symbolic garden design that tells a unique story of love, longing, and romance! Whether you're celebrating romantic love, friendship, or secret admiration, these symbolic blooms will help you say exactly what's in your heart!
Flowers That Symbolize Love and Affection
If you want to make a statement with flowers, consider adding these meaningful blooms to your bouquet or plant an entire garden.
- Set up these plants near your wedding arbor
- Made into a wedding bouquet
- Planted along a quiet garden path
- As a centerpiece in a dreamy garden retreat
Create a love-inspired garden that tells a beautiful story through flowers! By using the Victorian language of flowers, you can design a garden with symbolic meaning that reflects your emotions.
The Eternal Love Garden
For a garden that represents unwavering devotion and lasting romance, combine:
- Red Roses (Rosa) – The ultimate symbol of true love and deep passion. A single red Rose says, “I love you”.
- Tulips (Tulipa) – Red Tulips represent true love. Find Tulip bulbs for your spring garden and winter forcing Here!
- Carnations (Dianthus) – Red Carnations symbolize deep love and admiration, while white Carnations mean pure love. Try planting Dianthus, which are scented Carnation relatives.
- Camellias (Camellia japonica) – Pink Camellias mean longing, red Camellias express deep desire, and white camellias represent adoration.
- Forget-Me-Nots (faithful love)
- White Lilies (Lilium) – White Lilies symbolize purity and devotion, perfect for long-lasting love.
- Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica) – A symbol of faithful love and devotion. Try Miro, or Bluesylva in your garden! Similar looking is Brunnera which has Forget-Me-Not flowers with shade-loving silvery foliage.
The Love Letter Garden
In the Victorian era, people sent “talking bouquets” to express entire conversations. During this time when emotions were often left unsaid, people used the language of flowers, or floriography, to send hidden messages of love, devotion, and longing!
A carefully arranged bouquet could confess admiration, pledge devotion, or even express regret. But instead of simply sending a bouquet, imagine creating a Love Letter Garden, where every flower and plant is chosen to tell a romantic story.
You can create a garden that tells a story, just like a floral love letter.
For example:
- A White Camellia – "You are adorable."
- A Red Carnation – "My heart aches for you."
- A Pink Rose – "I admire you deeply."
- A Purple Violet – "I will be faithful to you always."
These flowers represent the excitement and anticipation of newfound love and love at first sight:
- Red Tulips – A declaration of true love at first sight.
- Pink Roses – Express gentle admiration and appreciation.
- Peonies – Represent romance, prosperity, and bashful affection.
- Clematis (Queen of Climbers) – Symbolizes mental beauty and intelligence in love.
- Wisteria – Represents sensuality and deep emotional connection.
- Sweet Peas – Signify blissful pleasure and gratitude for love.
A Love Letter Garden is more than just a beautiful floral display—it's a symbolic expression of love that unfolds with every bloom. Whether designed for a wedding venue, a private retreat, or as a long-lasting tribute to love, this garden becomes a living love letter that speaks without words.
This combination could be planted along a garden path or in a circular design, allowing visitors to "read" the message as they walk through!
The Secret Crush Garden
If you want to create a bouquet or an entire garden filled with hidden meanings and unspoken emotions, plant:
- Violets (Viola odorata) – Purple violets represent faithfulness, while blue violets mean constant love.
- Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) – These heavily scented flowers represent secret love and sublime beauty.
- Peonies (Paeonia) – Symbolize romance, prosperity, and bashful love. The full blooms are highly fragrant spring beauties!
- Daisies (Bellis perennis) – White daisies represent innocence and loyal love, often associated with secret crushes.
- Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) – While they can symbolize gratitude and understanding, hydrangeas also convey heartfelt emotions that are difficult to express.
4. The True Love Garden
Celebrate unwavering devotion, deep emotional connection, and a love that stands the test of time with a True Love Garden. This floral combination represents soulmate bonds, lifelong commitment, and an unbreakable romantic connection.
Plant these timeless symbols of true love together:
- Red Roses – The ultimate symbol of deep, passionate, and enduring love.
- Forget-Me-Nots – A representation of faithfulness, devotion, and lasting affection.
- White Camellias – Signifies admiration, perfection, and the beauty of a cherished love.
- White or Pink Lilies – Symbolizes purity, commitment, and a love that transcends time.
- Peonies – Associated with romance, a happy marriage, and good fortune in love.
These elegant and meaningful mixtures create a romantic, timeless garden that reflects the strength and beauty of true love.
- The New Love & Marriage Garden
For a bride's bouquet, your reception table centerpieces, or planted around the wedding altar, celebrate the joy, excitement, and promise of new love and marriage with these flowers!
Plant these meaningful blooms together:
- Pink Roses – A symbol of admiration, joy, and the sweetness of new love.
- White Lilies – Represent purity, devotion, and the sacredness of marriage.
- Peonies – Associated with romance, good fortune, and a happy, prosperous marriage.
- Blue Hydrangeas – This signifies understanding, heartfelt emotion, and the depth of love in a partnership.
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily) – A symbol of mutual support, devotion, and growing together in love.
Create a garden that symbolizes fresh beginnings, lifelong commitment, and the beauty of a growing relationship. These flowers represent the journey from romance to partnership, filled with love, devotion, and happiness.
This graceful and symbolic garden creates an atmosphere of romance and celebration, perfect for wedding venues, newlywed homes, or as a meaningful anniversary gift. Whether planted in a shared garden space, around a cozy patio, or near an intimate seating area, this collection of flowers will serve as a living reminder of love's beautiful journey into marriage.
Enhancing Your Special Garden Settings
A love or friendship garden should be a place where friends can come together, reminisce, and enjoy each other's company. Consider adding:
- A Cozy Seating Area – A garden bench, a small bistro set, or a shaded pergola with comfortable chairs invites conversation and togetherness.
- A Fire Pit or Outdoor Fireplace – Encourages warmth and storytelling on cool evenings.
- A Shared Tea or Coffee Nook – A small table with a collection of teacups and herbal plants like chamomile, mint, and lemon balm for an inviting tea garden.
- A Swing or Hammock – Perfect for a relaxing, carefree atmosphere where friends can unwind.
The Magic of Floriography: A Love Language in Blooms
In the Victorian era, flowers spoke volumes where words could not. Sending a bouquet wasn't just about giving beautiful flowers—it was about conveying a heartfelt message!
Even today, understanding the language of flowers can add depth and meaning to floral gifts and garden designs.
This Valentine's Day, go beyond the usual and give a floral gift with intention. Whether you plant a romantic garden, send a secret message in a bouquet, or surprise a friend with a cheerful arrangement, your flowers will tell a story that lasts long after the petals fade.
So, what will your flowers say this Valentine's Day? Find your new garden to represent love all year round at Nature Hills Nursery!
Happy Planting!
