Flowers use their intriguing range of colors to speak a secret language. If love and passion is your aim, red flowers will articulate those desires. Yellow flowers radiate happiness and joy—a cheerful color that expresses friendship. Most importantly, loose interpretation is encouraged! Have fun, experiment and don’t fear the flower—it’s the thought that truly counts.
What do they mean?
Red: This is the first color that says, “Notice me!” Red is passionate, romantic and exudes desire. It’s the perfect color to proclaim your love to a favorite Valentine. Red can also symbolize courage, respect and admiration. Red flowers are the perfect choice for congratulations, promotions or honoring a loved one.
Red-flowering plants: Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Anthurium/Painters Palette, Bromiliad, Miltoniopsis/pansy orchid, Aeschynanthus radicans/Lipstick Plant
Pink: Because ‘pink’ flowers range from light and delicate to hot and spicy hues, there are pink colors that speak to gentleness, grace and innocence as well as love and romance. Flowers are always pretty in pink.
Pink-flowering plants: Cyclamen, Kalanchoe, Anthurium/Painters Palette, African Violet, Bromiliad and many types of orchids such as Phalaenopsis/moth orchid, Paphiopedlum/lady slipper, Cattleya/corsage orchid and Oncidium.
Blue: Blue is a peaceful color that imparts relaxation and serenity. When you add blue tones to your living environment, it will give you the calm of Buddha.
Blue-flowering plants: Hydrangea, African Violet, Campanula, Gloxinia, Lavender, and Hyacinth
White: White can be a bold and brilliant color and it can also represent sympathy or reverence. White suggests contemporary, as well as a traditional color in home décor—a perfect neutral to freshen up your environment.
White-flowering plants: Hydrangea, African Violet, Gloxinia, Kalanchoe, Jasmine, Gardenia, Calla Lily, Oxalis/shamrock plant
Yellow: Yellow is pure joy! It symbolizes friendship and the pride of success. It’s an energetic color for an office, kitchen or wherever a little sunshine is needed.
Yellow-flowering plants: Kalanchoe, Clivia/Kaffir Lily, Primrose, Bromiliad, Euphorbia milii/Crown of Thorns and many orchids such as Phalaenopsis/moth orchid, Paphiopedlum/lady slipper, Cattleya/corsage orchid, Cymbidium/boat orchid and Oncidium.
Purple: The color, purple, exudes feminine elegance, refinement and admiration. Purple has also been the symbol of royalty throughout the ages.
Purple-flowering plants: Streptocarpus/Cape Primrose, Gloxinia, lavender and many varieties of orchids such as Phalaenopsis/moth orchid, Cattleya/corsage orchid, Cymbidium/boat orchid and Oncidium.
Orange: Orange is the symbol of attraction, enthusiasm and exuberance—a perfect shout-out color for an adventuresome personality.
Orange-flowering plants: Clivia/Kaffir Lily, Nematanthus/goldfish plant, Phalaenopsis/moth orchid, Cattleya/corsage orchid, Bromiliad, Cymbidium/boat orchid and Oncidium.
Green: Green represents optimism, fresh starts, good fortune and good health. How lucky we are to enjoy the green foliage, too.
Green-flowering plants: White/green Hydrangea, Irish and Scotch mosses, Phalaenopsis/moth orchid, Cattleya/corsage orchid, Cymbidium/boat orchid, Paphiopedilum/lady slipper orchid and Dendrobium orchid.
What’s the buzz? The sound of summer. Filling your garden with flowering plants that bees like is the perfect way to a part of the cycle of nature. Bees are hardworking insects—pollinating our crops and flowers for us and feeding themselves and their community at the same time. And, don’t forget the honey—one of nature’s simplest pleasures.
