Valentine’s Day - Give Roses to Show Affection - The Meaning of Flowers

Roses are red, Violets are Blue
What are these wildflowers saying to you?
Chesapeake Challenge / By Kathleen Gaskell - Bay Journal

On Valentine’s Day, many throughout the watershed will be giving or receiving roses as a token of affection. In Victorian society, though, more than roses were used to express one’s sentiments, and almost every flower had its own message based on the flower’s features or a legend that was associated with it. The meaning of these wildflowers, found in the watershed and listed here would have been readily recognized by a Victorian. See how many you can figure out.


1. Arum Lily (Arum maculatum)


2. Azalea (Azalea)


3. Bindweed (Convolvulus)


4. Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)


5. Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)


6. Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis)


7. Common Speedwell (Veronica)


8. Dwarf Iris (Iris verna)


9. Fern (Felicinae)


10. Fireweed (Epilobium augustifolium)


11. Hawkweed (Heiracium)


12. Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)


13. Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)


14. Lady’s Smock/Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)


15. Lobelia (Lobelia)


16. Pigweed (Amaranthus)


17. Raspberry (Rubus)


18. Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)


19. Rhododendron (Rhododendron)


20. Sneezeweed (Helenium)


21. Stinging Nettle (Urtica urens)


22. Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare)


23. Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox)


24. Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis)


25. Wild Lupine (Lupinus)


26. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria)




A. Ardor


B. Celibacy


C. Childishness


D. Cold-heartedness


E. Comfort


F. Cruelty


G. Danger


H. Deceitful Charms


I. Distinction


J. Falsehood


K. Fidelity in Love


L. Immortality


M. Malevolence


N. Messenger


O. Night


P. Paternal Error


Q. Perfect Goodness


R. Quick-sightedness


S. Remorse


T. Sincerity


U. Tears


V. Temperence


W. Truth


X. Unanimity


Y. Voraciousness


Z. Wit




Answers: 1-B 2-V 3-O 4-W 5-C 6-I 7-K 8-N 9-T 10-B 11-R 12-E 13-H 14-P 15-M 16-L 17-S 18-Z 19-G 20-U 21-F 22- 23-X 24-D 25-Y 26-Q

Kathleen A. Gaskell, the layout & design editor for the Bay Journal, has been involved with several environmental programs for children.

Roses are red, Violets are Blue

Article from Bay Jouranl

Feb, 2006