Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
This is for the participants in my class today at Bradley University's OLLI program.
January - Carnation
- General - Fascination
- Pink – I'll never forget you
- Red- Admiration (My Heart Breaks)
- Purple – Capriciousness (fickle)
- White – Sweet and lovely, innocence, love
- Yellow – Disdain
- Solid – Yes
- Striped – I cannot be with you
- February – Violet
- Symbol of modesty & humility
- Blue – Faithfulness
March - Daffodil
- Regard
- Unequaled love
- The sun is always shining when I'm with you
- Send armful to valued friend to brighten their day
April – Sweet Pea
- Goodbye
- Blissful pleasure
- Delicate pleasures
- Thank you for lovely time
May – Lily of the Valley
- Return to happiness
- Sweetness
- Tears of Virgin Mary
- Humility
June - Rose
- Emblem of Love!
- Colors of the Rose
- Red – Love
- Pink – Grace, Admiration
- Peach - Modesty
- White – Purity, secrecy
- Burgundy – Unconscious beauty
- Purple – Enchantment
- Orange - Fascination
- Yellow – Infidelity
Arranging the Rose
- Single stem – Simplicity
- In full bloom – "I Love You"
- Bouquet in full bloom – Gratitude
- Rosebud – Young and beautiful
- Two roses – Engagement
- Red and white - Unity
July – Larkspur
- Lightness
- Cottage garden flower
- In many garden paintings
August - Gladiolus
- Give me a break
- I'm really sincere
- Flower of the gladiators
September - Aster
- Symbol of love
- Daintiness
- Patience
October – Calendula (marigold)
- Cruelty
- Grief
- Jealousy
November - Chrysanthemum
- Truth
- Red – I love you
- White – Truth
- Yellow – Slighted love
December - Narcissus
- Egotism
- Stay sweet
Special Occasion Flowers
- Weddings
- Lilies – chastity, innocence, purity
- Rose petals on aisle
- Twining plants – devotion and attachment
- Baby's breath – everlasting love
- Fern – sincerity
Funerals
- Colors
- White – purity
- Red – deep love
- Blue – peace, heaven
- Types
- Forget me not – remembrance
- Lilies - Life
- Orchids – beauty
- gladioli– strong character
Tussie-Mussie
- Small hand bouquet
- Old English origin meaning "a knot of flowers"
- Composition
- Herb to cover odors
- Flowers to say ...
- Leaves to frame
- Doily and ribbons to tie together
- Handwritten note
References Used
- "A Victorian Flower Dictionary" by Mandy Kirkby
- "Who Named the Daisy, Who Named the Rose" by Mary Durant
- AboutFlowers.com
- "The Language of Flowers" from Iowa State University
MEET THE AUTHOR
As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.
After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.
ABOUT THE BLOG
ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.