Find Flowers by Meanings
By Kathleen Karlsen, MA

Updated May 2, 2009 8:58 PM

The practice of embuing flowers with symbolic meaning crosses all cultural boundaries. This practice began as early as recorded history and continues to spark the imagination of mankind today.

Below is a list of over 150 of the world's best-loved flowers arranged by the thought or feeeling conveyed. This list of flower names is our most extensive flower meaning list. Since many flowers have multiple meanings, some flowers appear in more than one category. Find a quick reference for the symbolic meaning of your favorite flower:

For an flower symbolism guide with photos, please see Flower Symbolism Guide. For a guide to the origin of flower names, please see Meanings of Flower Names. For information on the symbolic flowers in gardens honoring Mother Mary, see Mary Garden Flower Symbolism. For symbolism related to popular garden flowers, see Garden Flower Symbolism.

FLOWERS MEANING BEAUTY

Alyssum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of alyssum is beauty.

Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.

Cherry Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms in the west is education. In China, the cherry blossom is also a symbol of feminine beauty and represents the feminine principle and love. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life because of their short blooming times.

Cowslip Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cowslip flowers is youthful beauty.

Daisy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies here.

Gladiolus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gladiolus flowers is preparedness, strength, splendid beauty and love at first sight. The gladiolus is named for the shape of its leaves, "gladius" or sword. The gladiolus is said to have symbolized the Roman gladiators.

Hibiscus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hibiscus flowers is delicate beauty.

Honeysuckle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of honeysuckle is bond of love, rustic beauty, friendship and I love you.

Lilac Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lilac is the first emotions of love, beauty, pride, fastidiousness, youthful innocence and youth. A pale purple color is generally known as lilac.

Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lily is chastity, virtue, fleur-de-lis, Holy Trinity, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty; beauty (calla), mother (China), hatred (orange), wealth, pride (tiger); sweetness, virginity, purity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you (white); gaiety, gratitude, I'm walking on air (yellow). Llilies are associated with the annunciation of the birth of Jesus by the angel Gabriel and with the aascension. Lilies were also used in Mary Gardens. In both Christian and pagan traditions, lilies symbolize fertility.

Myrtle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of mytle is beauty's crown and wedded love.

Orchid Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, fertility, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Read more about orchids.

Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I. Read more about poppy flowers.

Roses Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. Read more about roses.

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FLOWERS MEANING CHEERFULNESS

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Coreopsios Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of coreopsis is always cheerful.

Crocus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of crocus flowers is cheerfulness, youthful gladness and abuse not.

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FLOWERS MEANING FAITH AND FIDELITY

Bird of Paradise Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bird of paradise flowers is freedom, good perspective, faithfulness (when given from a woman to a man).

Compass Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the compass flower is faith.

Daisy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies here.

Dandelion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the dandelion is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness, coquetry and love's oracle. The dandelion is also a symbol of the sun and was used by Flemish and German painters to symbolize the suffering of Christ, grief and bitterness.

Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.

Lemon Blossoms Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lemon blossoms is fidelity.

Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lily is chastity, virtue, fleur-de-lis, Holy Trinity, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty; beauty (calla), mother (China), hatred (orange), wealth, pride (tiger); sweetness, virginity, purity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you (white); gaiety, gratitude, I'm walking on air (yellow). Llilies are associated with the annunciation of the birth of Jesus by the angel Gabriel and with the aascension. Lilies were also used in Mary Gardens. In both Christian and pagan traditions, lilies symbolize fertility.

Passion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of passion flowers is faith.

Veronica Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Veronica flowers is fidelity.

Violet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of violets is modesty, virtue, affection, watchfulness, faithfulness (blue violets), love and let's take a chance on happiness.

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FLOWERS MEANING FREEDOM

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FLOWERS MEANING FRIENDSHIP

Arbor Vitae Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of arbor vitae is unchanging friendship.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Geranium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of geranium flowers is a true friend, gentility, stupidity, melancholy, folly and meeting.

Honeysuckle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of honeysuckle is bond of love, rustic beauty, friendship and I love you.

Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.

Periwinkle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of periwinkle flowers is early friendship or the pleasures of memory.

Snowdrop Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of snowdrop flowers is a friend in need and hope.

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FLOWERS MEANING GOOD HEALTH

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FLOWERS MEANING GOOD LUCK

Bells of Ireland Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Bells of Ireland is good luck and whimsy. These flowers actually originated in western Asia and are part of the mint family.

Clover Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of clover is good luck, be mine, industry (red) and think of me (white).

Heather Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of heather is loneliness. The symbolic meaning of white heather is wishes will come true and and good fortune.

Lavender Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lavender flowers is best wishes, purity, silence and good luck.

Orange Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orange blossom is innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness. The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings.

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FLOWERS MEANING GRATITUDE

Camellia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of camelia flowers is admiration, perfection, good luck gift for a man, gratitude, nobility of reasoning. The colors have specific symbolic meanings including innate worth, adoration, perfection and loveliness (white); longing, longing for a man (pink); and you're a flame in my heart or excellence (red). More about camellias here.

Canterbury Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of canterbury bells is gratitude.

Sweet Pea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sweet peas is bliss, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas were are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England. Sweet peas are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. Read more about sweet peas.

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FLOWERS MEANING HAPPINESS

Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.

Corchorus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of corchorus flowers is impatience of happiness.

Dandelion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the dandelion is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness, coquetry and love's oracle. The dandelion is also a symbol of the sun and was used by Flemish and German painters to symbolize the suffering of Christ, grief and bitterness.

Holly Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the holly is defense, domestic happiness and forecast. Medieval monks called the holly the Holy Tree and believed holly would keep away evil spirits and protects their homes from lightening. In Christianity, the pointed leaves represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolized drops of his blood.

Lily-of-the-Valley Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lily-of-the-valley is sweetness, purity, return of happiness, you have made my life complete and humility.

Marigold Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of marigolds is indicated in the name: Mary's Gold. Marigold flowers were "golden gifts" offered to the Virgin Mary by the poor who could not afford to give actual gold. Marigolds were also used in Mary Gardens. Marigolds are symbolic of happiness, passion and creativity. Marigolds are also known as the "Herb of the Sun." Read more about marigolds.

Roses Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. Read more about roses.

Stephanotis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of stephanotis flowers is happiness in marriage and desire to travel.

Violet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of violets is modesty, virtue, affection, watchfulness, faithfulness (blue violets), love and let's take a chance on happiness.

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FLOWERS MEANING HOPE

Almond Tree Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the flowering almond tree is hope.

Anemone Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of anemone flowers is anticipation, expectation, forsaken and frailty.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.

Snowdrop Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of snowdrop flowers is a friend in need and hope.

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FLOWERS MEANING HUMILITY

Bluebell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bluebells is humility, constancy and gratitude. Read more about bluebells.

Broom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the broom flower is humility and neatness.

Buttercup Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of buttercups is humility, neatness, childishness and wealth.

Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I. Read more about poppy flowers.

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FLOWERS MEANING IMMORTALITY & YOUTH

Amaranth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of amaranth flowers is immortality and unfading love.

Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.

Bamboo Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bamboo is longevity, flexibility, prosperity, strength and grace. In China, the straight stem symbolizes the path towards enlightenment with the segments indicating steps along the way. More info on bamboo flowers here. See bamboo photo.

Foxglove Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of foxglove flowers is stateliness and youth. Foxglove flowers have both positive and negative symbolic meanings. The scientific name is digitalis, a reference to the presence of powerful chemicals that can heal heart conditions if taken correctly but can kill if taken in large amounts. Thus, foxglove flowers are symbolic of both healing and harm. Read more about foxgloves.

Lilac Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lilac is the first emotions of love, beauty, pride, fastidiousness, youthful innocence and youth. A pale purple color is generally known as lilac.

Primrose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of primrose flowers is youth, evening and inconstancy.

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FLOWERS MEANING INNOCENCE

Baby's Breath Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of baby's breath flowers is purity of heart, innocence, the breath of the Holy Spirit. See baby's breath flower photo.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Daisy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies here.

Freesia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of freesia flowers is innocence and trust.

Gerbera Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the gerbera flower is innocence.

Orange Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orange blossom is innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness. The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings.

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FLOWERS MEANING JOY

Carnation Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of carnation flowers is fascination, impulsiveness, capriciousness, joy and devoted love. White carnations mean "I am still available" or disdain and refusal. Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or "for my poor heart". The symbolic meaning of pink carnations is I'll never forget you. A symbol of betrothal or engagement. In China, carnation flowers are a symbol of marriage.

Gardenia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gardenia flowers is you're lovely, secret love, purity, joy and refinement.

Hyacinth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the hyacinth is games, sports, rashness, and playful joy; constancy (blue); I'm sorry, please forgive me, sorrow (purple); unobtrusive lonliness, I'll pray for you (white); and jealousy (yellow). Hyacinths are named after Hyacinth, a figure in Greek mythology. Hyacinths are sometimes associated with rebirth.

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FLOWERS MEANING LOVE

Amaranth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of amaranth flowers is immortality and unfading love.

Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.

Arbutus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of arbutus is thee only do I love.

Aster Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of aster flowers is charming, patience, daintiness, afterthought, love of variety, elegance, memories and love. Aster comes from the Greek word meaning star. See aster flower photo.

Bachelor Button Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bachelor button flowers is celibacy, single, blessedness, hope in love, delicacy. See bachelor button flower photo.

Cactus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cactus flowers is endurance, warmth, my heart burns with love and maternal love.

Campion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of campions (red) isyouthful love and I fall victim. Campions are also known as catchfly and lynchis.

Carnation Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of carnation flowers is fascination, impulsiveness, capriciousness, joy and devoted love. White carnations mean "I am still available" or disdain and refusal. Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or "for my poor heart". The symbolic meaning of pink carnations is I'll never forget you. A symbol of betrothal or engagement. In China, carnation flowers are a symbol of marriage.

Cherry Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms in the west is education. In China, the cherry blossom is also a symbol of feminine beauty and represents the feminine principle and love. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life because of their short blooming times.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Cinquefoil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cinquefoil flowers is beloved child.

Coxcomb Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of coxcomb flowers is unfading love.

Daffodil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of daffodil flowers is regard, unrequited love, chivalry, sunshine, respect and the sun shines when I'm with you.

Daisy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies here.

Dandelion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the dandelion is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness, coquetry and love's oracle. The dandelion is also a symbol of the sun and was used by Flemish and German painters to symbolize the suffering of Christ, grief and bitterness.

Everlastings Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of everlastings is unfading love.

Fern Meanings
The symbolic meaning of ferns is magic, fascination, confidence, shelter, discretion, reverie and a secret bond of love.

Forget-Me-Not Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of forget-me-not flowers is true love and memories. In 15th century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers.

Fuchsia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of fuchsia flowers is confiding love and good taste (scarlet).

Furze Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of furze flowers is love for all occasions.

Gardenia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gardenia flowers is you're lovely, secret love, purity, joy and refinement.

Gladiolus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gladiolus flowers is preparedness, strength, splendid beauty and love at first sight. The gladiolus is named for the shape of its leaves, "gladius" or sword. The gladiolus is said to have symbolized the Roman gladiators.

Globe Amaranth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the globe amaranth is unfading love.

Gloxinia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gloxinia flowers is love at first sight.

Honeysuckle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of honeysuckle is bond of love, rustic beauty, friendship and I love you.

Impatiens Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of impatiens flowers is motherly love. In the medieval Mary gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary, impatiens plants were called "Our Lady's earrings." Read more about impatiens.

Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.

Jonquil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of jonquil flowers is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, desire for a return of affection.

Lilac Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lilac is the first emotions of love, beauty, pride, fastidiousness, youthful innocence and youth. A pale purple color is generally known as lilac.

Lotus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lotus is estranged love and forgetfulness of the past. The lotus is the national flower of India.

Myrtle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of mytle is beauty's crown and wedded love.

Orange Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orange blossom is innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness. The orange blossom, which is the state flower of Florida, is traditionally associated with good fortune, and was popular in bridal bouquets and head wreaths for weddings.

Orchid Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, fertility, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Read more about orchids.

Pansy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the pansy is merriment, memories, loving thoughts, souvenirs and you occupy my thoughts. The pansy is also called the heartsease or Johnny Jump Up. The name pansy is derived from the French word pensée meaning "thought", and was so named because the flower resembles a human face. In August the pansy is thought to nod forward as if deep in thought.

Roses Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. Read more about roses.

Tulip Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of tulips is fame and perfect love. The symbolic meanings also change with the color of the tulips. Red tulips mean "believe me" and are a declaration of love. Variegated tulips mean "you have beautiful eyes." Yellow tulips mean "there's sunshine in your smile." And cream colored tulips mean "I will love you forever." Tulips are the foremost national symbol of Holland, rivaling wooden shoes and windmills! Read more about tulips.

Violet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of violets is modesty, virtue, affection, watchfulness, faithfulness (blue violets), love and let's take a chance on happiness.

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FLOWERS MEANING PASSION

Azalea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of azalea flowers is temperance, fragile passion, womanhood (China) and take care of yourself for me. See azalea photo.

Roses Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. Read more about roses.

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FLOWERS MEANING PROSPERITY

Bamboo Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bamboo is longevity, flexibility, prosperity, strength and grace. In China, the straight stem symbolizes the path towards enlightenment with the segments indicating steps along the way. More info on bamboo flowers here. See bamboo photo.

Buttercup Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of buttercups is humility, neatness, childishness and wealth.

Cattails Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cattails is peace and prosperity.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Lunaria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lunaria flowers is is prosperity and honesty.

Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I. Read more about poppy flowers.

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FLOWERS MEANING TRUTH

Bittersweet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bittersweet flowers is truth.

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FLOWERS WITH NEGATIVE MEANINGS

Amaryllis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of amaryllis is pride, timidity and splendid beauty.

Anemone Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of anemone flowers is anticipation, expectation, forsaken and frailty.

Apple Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of apple blossoms is good health, temptation, admiration, love, youth, beauty and happiness. Read more about apple blossoms.

Calendula Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of calendula flowers is grief, despair and sorrow.

Calla Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning calla lily flowers is magnificent beauty and pride.

Campion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of campions (red) is youthful love and I fall victim. Campions are also known as catchfly and lynchis.

Candytuft Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of candytuft flowers is indifference.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Cyclamen Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cyclamen is diffidence, resignation and goodbye. Read more about cyclamen here.

Cypress Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cypress flowers is mourning.

Dahlia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of dahlia flowers is elegance and forever thine. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, its birthplace. Dahlia can also mean instability.

Deadly Nightshade Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of deadly nightshade flowers is falsehood.

Foxglove Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of foxglove flowers is stateliness and youth. Foxglove flowers have both positive and negative symbolic meanings. The scientific name is digitalis, a reference to the presence of powerful chemicals that can heal heart conditions if taken correctly but can kill if taken in large amounts. Thus, foxglove flowers are symbolic of both healing and harm. Read more about foxgloves.

Geranium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of geranium flowers is a true friend, gentility, stupidity, melancholy, folly and meeting.

Goldenrod Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of goldenrod flowers is be cautious and encouragement.

Heather Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of heather is loneliness. The symbolic meaning of white heather is wishes will come true and and good fortune.

Hepatica Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hepatica flowers is anger.

Hyacinth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the hyacinth is games, sports, rashness, and playful joy; constancy (blue); I'm sorry, please forgive me, sorrow (purple); unobtrusive lonliness, I'll pray for you (white); and jealousy (yellow). Hyacinths are named after Hyacinth, a figure in Greek mythology. Hyacinths are sometimes associated with rebirth.

Hydrangea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hydrangea flowers is thank you for your understanding, frigidity and heartlessness.

Lilac Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lilac is the first emotions of love, beauty, pride, fastidiousness, youthful innocence and youth. A pale purple color is generally known as lilac.

Monkshood Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of monkshood flowers is danger is near, beware a deadly foe is near and chivalry.

Narcissus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the narcissus is normality, stay sweet, self-esteem and vanity. The name narcissus is derived from that of the youth of Greek mythology called Narcissus, who became so obsessed with his own reflection as he kneeled and gazed into a pool of water that he fell into the water and drowned.

Oleander Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning oleander flowers is beware.

Petunia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the petunia is resentment, anger and your presence soothes me.

Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I. Read more about poppy flowers.

Primrose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of primrose flowers is youth, evening and inconstancy.

Rhododendron Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the rhododendron is beware, I am dangerous and caution. Rhododendron means "rose tree." Some spices are toxic to animals and may have a hallucinogenic and laxative effect on humans, thus the symbolism related to warning and danger.

Roses Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of roses is love, remembrance, passion (red); purity (white); happiness (pink); infidelity (yellow); unconscious beauty, I love you. Roses are emblems of England and New York City. Read more about roses.

Saffron Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of saffron is my best days fled.

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FLOWERS WITH UNUSUAL MEANINGS

Aster Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of aster flowers is charming, patience, daintiness, afterthought, love of variety, elegance, memories and love. Aster comes from the Greek word meaning star. See aster flower photo.

Azalea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of azalea flowers is temperance, fragile passion, womanhood (China) and take care of yourself for me. See azalea photo.

Baby's Breath Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of baby's breath flowers is purity of heart,innocence, the breath of the Holy Spirit. See baby's breath flower photo.

Bachelor Button Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bachelor button flowers is celibacy, single, blessedness, hope in love, delicacy. See bachelor button flower photo.

Bamboo Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bamboo is longevity, flexibility, prosperity, strength and grace. In China, the straight stem symbolizes the path towards enlightenment with the segments indicating steps along the way. More info on bamboo here. See bamboo photo.

Begonia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of begonia flowers is fanciful nature, beware and dark thoughts. See begonia flower photo.

Bird of Paradise Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bird of paradise flowers is freedom, good perspective, faithfulness (when given from a woman to a man).

Bluebell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of bluebells is humility, constancy and gratitude. Read more about bluebells.

Broom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the broom flower is humility and neatness.

Buttercup Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of buttercups is humility, neatness, childishness and wealth.

Cactus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cactus flowers is endurance, warmth, my heart burns with love and maternal love.

Camellia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of camelia flowers is admiration, perfection, good luck gift for a man, gratitude, nobility of reasoning. The colors have specific symbolic meanings including innate worth, adoration, perfection and loveliness (white); longing, longing for a man (pink); and you're a flame in my heart or excellence (red). More about camellias here.

Cardinal Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cardinal flowers is distinction.

Carnation Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of carnation flowers is fascination, impulsiveness, capriciousness, joy and devoted love. White carnations mean "I am still available" or disdain and refusal. Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or "for my poor heart". The symbolic meaning of pink carnations is I'll never forget you. A symbol of betrothal or engagement. In China, carnation flowers are a symbol of marriage.

Chamomile Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of chamomile flowers is energy in action.

Cherry Blossom Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cherry blossoms in the west is education. In China, the cherry blossom is also a symbol of feminine beauty and represents the feminine principle and love. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life because of their short blooming times.

Christmas Rose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the Christmas Rose is that it is purported to have flowered on Christmas Day, and is therefore associated with the infant Jesus. The Christmas Rose of Mary Gardens bears pure white or pink flowers and are sometimes known as the Lenten Rose. Read more about Mary Gardens.

Chrysanthemum Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the chrysanthemum is abundance, wealth, cheerfulness, loyalty, innocence, optimism, truth (white), hope, rest, wonderful friendship, I love you (red), slighted love (yellow). In Italy, chrysanthemums are symbolic of death. The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) abd anthos (flower). The national symbol of Japan, representing long life.

Clematis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of clematis flowers is ingenuity.

Cornflower Meanings
The symbolic meaning of cornflowers is delicacy.

Coronilla Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of coronilla flowers is success to you.

Crocus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of crocus flowers is cheerfulness, youthful gladness and abuse not.

Crown Imperial Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the crown imperial flower is majesty.

Daffodil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of daffodil flowers is regard, unrequited love, chivalry, sunshine, respect and the sun shines when I'm with you.

Dahlia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of dahlia flowers iselegance and forever thine. The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico, its birthplace. Dahlia can also mean instability.

Daisy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the daisy is purity, innocence, loyal love, fidelity, beauty, share your feelings, patience and simplicity. Daisies were used in Mary Gardens. Learn more about Mary Gardens. Learn more about daisies here.

Dandelion Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the dandelion is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, faithfulness, happiness, coquetry and love's oracle. The dandelion is also a symbol of the sun and was used by Flemish and German painters to symbolize the suffering of Christ, grief and bitterness.

Daphene Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of daphene flowers is I desire to please.

Day Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the day lily is forgetting worries. As an omen for expectant mothers who wish for baby boys, the flower means "Suited for A Boy." The Chinese also venerate the day lily as a symbol of filial devotion to one's mother. Learn more about day lilies here.

Delphinium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the delphinium is big-hearted, fun, lightness, levity, swiftness and ardent attachment.

Diosma Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of diosma flowers is "Your simple elegance charms me."

Dragon Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of dragon lily flowers is inner power.

Elder Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the elder flower is zeal.

Endine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of endine flowers is frugality.

Fennel Meanings
The symbolic meaning of fennel is worthy of praise.

Fern Meanings
The symbolic meaning of ferns is magic, fascination, confidence, shelter, discretion, reverie and a secret bond of love.

Flora's Bell Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Flora's Bell flowers is without pretension.

Forsythia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of forsythia flowers is anticipation.

Foxglove Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of foxglove flowers is stateliness and youth. Foxglove flowers have both positive and negative symbolic meanings. The scientific name is digitalis, a reference to the presence of powerful chemicals that can heal heart conditions if taken correctly but can kill if taken in large amounts. Thus, foxglove flowers are symbolic of both healing and harm. Read more about foxgloves.

Fuchsia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of fuchsia flowers is confiding love and good taste (scarlet).

Gardenia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gardenia flowers is you're lovely, secret love, purity, joy and refinement.

Gentian Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gentian flowers is virgin pride.

Geranium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of geranium flowers is a true friend, gentility, stupidity, melancholy, folly and meeting.

Gladiolus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of gladiolus flowers is preparedness, strength, splendid beauty and love at first sight. The gladiolus is named for the shape of its leaves, "gladius" or sword. The gladiolus is said to have symbolized the Roman gladiators.

Goldenrod Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of goldenrod flowers is be cautious and encouragement.

Gooseberry
The symbolic meaning of Gooseberry is anticipation.

Goosefoot Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Goosefoot flowers is goodness.

Gorse Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Gorse flowers is endearing affection.

Heliotrope Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of heliotrope flowers is devotion.

Hollyhock Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hollyhock flowers is ambition.

Holly Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the holly is defense, domestic happiness and forecast. Medieval monks called the holly the Holy Tree and believed holly would keep away evil spirits and protects their homes from lightening. In Christianity, the pointed leaves represented the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries symbolized drops of his blood.

Hyacinth Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the hyacinth is games, sports, rashness, and playful joy; constancy (blue); I'm sorry, please forgive me, sorrow (purple); unobtrusive lonliness, I'll pray for you (white); and jealousy (yellow). Hyacinths are named after Hyacinth, a figure in Greek mythology. Hyacinths are sometimes associated with rebirth.

Hydrangea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hydrangea flowers is thank you for your understanding, frigidity and heartlessness.

Hyssop Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of hyssop flowers is cleanliness.

Iris Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the iris is faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, valor, my compliments and promise in love. Irises were used in Mary Gardens. The blade-shaped foliage denotes the sorrows which 'pierced her heart.' Read more about iris flowers.

Jasmine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the jasmine flower is amiability, attachment, sensuality, modesty, grace and elegance.

Jonquil Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of jonquil flowers is love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, desire for a return of affection.

Juniper
The symbolic meaning of juniper is protection.

Lady's Slipper Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lady's slipper is win me and wear me.

Lady's Mantle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Lady's Mantle is a cloak for for the Blessed Virgin. Lady's mantle was grown in Mary Gardens. The name alchemilla ("little magical one") derives from the dew which collects on the lady's mantle. Dew is often associated with magic.

Lantana Flowers Meanings
The symbolic nature of lantana flowers is rigour.

Larkspur Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of larkspur flowers is lightness, levity, ardent attachment and fickleness (pink).

Lavender Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lavender flowers is best wishes, purity, silence and good luck.

Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lily is chastity, virtue, fleur-de-lis, Holy Trinity, faith, wisdom, chivalry, royalty; beauty (calla), mother (China), hatred (orange), wealth, pride (tiger); sweetness, virginity, purity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you (white); gaiety, gratitude, I'm walking on air (yellow). Llilies are associated with the annunciation of the birth of Jesus by the angel Gabriel and with the aascension. Lilies were also used in Mary Gardens. In both Christian and pagan traditions, lilies symbolize fertility.

Lily-of-the-Valley Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lily-of-the-valley is sweetness, purity, return of happiness, you have made my life complete and humility.

Lobelia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lobelia is distinction (scarlet).

Lotus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the lotus is estranged love and forgetfulness of the past. The lotus is the national flower of India.

Love in Mist Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of love in mist flowers is perplexity.

Lunaria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lunaria flowers is is prosperity and honesty.

Lupine Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of lupines is imagination. Read more about lupines.

Magnolia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning magnolia flowers is nobility, perseverance and love of nature. Magnolia is the official state state flower of both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Marigold Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of marigolds is indicated in the name: Mary's Gold. Marigold flowers were "golden gifts" offered to the Virgin Mary by the poor who could not afford to give actual gold. Marigolds were also used in Mary Gardens. Marigolds are symbolic of happiness, passion and creativity. Marigolds are also known as the "Herb of the Sun." Read more about marigolds.

Monkshood Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of monkshood flowers is danger is near, beware a deadly foe is near and chivalry.

Morning Glory Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the morning glory is affection. As the name implies, morning glory flowers, which are funnel-shaped, open in the morning. The flower typically lasts for a single morning and dies in the afternoon. New flowers bloom each day. Read about morning glories.

Nasturtium Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the nasturtium is victory in battle, patriotism and conquest. Nasturtium literally means "nose-twister" or "nose-tweaker".

Orchid Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, fertility, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Read more about orchids.

Pansy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the pansy is merriment, memories, loving thoughts, souvenirs and you occupy my thoughts. The pansy is also called the heartsease or Johnny Jump Up. The name pansy is derived from the French word pensée meaning "thought", and was so named because the flower resembles a human face. In August the pansy is thought to nod forward as if deep in thought.

Peach Blossoms Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of peach blossoms is "I am your captive."

Peony Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the peony is happy marriage, good life, bashfulness, ambition, determination and compassion.

Periwinkle Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of periwinkle flowers is early friendship or the pleasures of memory.

Petunia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the petunia is resentment, anger and your presence soothes me.

Phlox Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of phlox is sweet dreams and a proposal of marriage.

Poinsettia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the poinsettia has an ancient history. The ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity. Today, poinsettias are the most easily recognized flower symbolic of Christmas. Read more about poinsettias.

Poppy Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I. Read more about poppy flowers.

Primrose Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of primrose flowers is youth, evening and inconstancy.

Pussy Willow Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of pussy willows is motherhood.

Ranunculus Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of ranuculus is "you are radiant with charms."

Snapdragon Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of snapdragons is graciousness, presumption, and strength. The snapdragon is important as a model organism in botanical research. Its genome has been studied in detail.

Snowball Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the snowball flower is winter.

Sorrel Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sorrel is affection.

Spider Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the spider flower is elope with me.

Star of Bethlehem Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of Star of Bethlehem Flowers is purity.

Stephanotis Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of stephanotis flowers is happiness in marriage and desire to travel.

Straw Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of straw flowers is agreement.

Sunflower Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sunflowers is adoration. Sunflowers turn their heads to the sun, which is the origin of their common name. Sunflowers belong to the genus helianthus, a reference to Helios, the sun god. Sunflowers are native to the Americas and are the state flower of Kansas. Learn more about sunflowers here.

Sweet Pea Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sweet peas is bliss, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas were are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England. Sweet peas are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April. Read more about sweet peas.

Sweet William Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of sweet William flowers is gallantry.

Trumpet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the trumpet flower is fame.

Tulip Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of tulips is fame and perfect love. The symbolic meanings also change with the color of the tulips. Red tulips mean "believe me" and are a declaration of love. Variegated tulips mean "you have beautiful eyes." Yellow tulips mean "there's sunshine in your smile." And cream colored tulips mean "I will love you forever." Tulips are the foremost national symbol of Holland, rivaling wooden shoes and windmills! Read more about tulips.

Verbena Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of the verbena flower is pray for me and sensibility. Verbena has longstanding use in herbalism and folk medicine, usually as a tea. Verbena is grown as a honey plant to supply bees with nectar.

Violet Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of violets is modesty, virtue, affection, watchfulness, faithfulness (blue violets), love and let's take a chance on happiness.

Viscaria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of viscaria flowers is will you dance with me.

Water Lily Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of water lilies is purity of heart.

Wisteria Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meaning of wisteria flowers is welcome and playful spontaneity. Learn more about wisteria.

Zinnia Flowers Meanings
The symbolic meanings of zinnias are thoughts of absent friends, lasting affection, constancy, goodness and daily remembrance. Zinnias are the state flower of Indiana.

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RESOURCES:

Books
Jone, Julia. Country Diary of Garden Lore. NY: Summit Books, 1968.

Lehner, Ernst. Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees. NY: Tudor Publishing C., 1960.

Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. 1884.

Websites
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.new-age.co.uk/flower-language.htm
http://www.santacruzpl.org
http://www.britannica.com
http://www.theflowerexpert.com
http://www.arthistory.suite101.com
http://www.proflowers.com
http://www.victorianbazaar.com
http://www.pioneerthinking.com
http://www.growerflowers.com
http://gardencards.biz