Knowing flower symbolism and fascinating facts about different types of flowers including bluebells, foxglove, impatiens, lupines, marigolds, poppies, tulips, sunflowers and sweet peas will give your garden a whole new level of meaning! Learn about the tradition symbolism associated with each flower, where the flower originated, how to best grow each flower and other key information below.

Bluebell Flower Symbolism

Bluebells have long been symbolic of humility and gratitude. They are associated with constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. Bluebells are also closely linked to the realm of fairies and are sometimes referred to as "fairy thimbles." To call fairies to a convention, the bluebells would be rung.

Bluebell Facts

Bluebells can be found in North America, Western Europe and North Africa. In some areas they are referred to as wild hyacinths. Bluebells grow in forests, grasslands, mountainsides, along the ocean and in brush areas. Bluebells are members of the lily family and native to Portugal and Spain. A favorite flower around the world for many centuries, the bluebell is a particularly beloved flower in Britain.

Growing Bluebells

Bluebells are easy to grow, can handle both sun and shade and even thrive in neglected gardens. Bluebells are usually grown from bulbs and reproduce by creating smaller offset bulbs as well as seeds. Bluebells will also grow in pots, tubs and urns.

Bluebells normally flower early in the year from April through June. The delicate flowers hang from a central stem. The plant also features narrow leaves in light to medium green. Many butterflies just leaving winter hibernation are fans of the bluebell's nectar.

Foxglove Flower Symbolism

Foxglove flowers have both positive and negative symbolic meanings. They are said to sometimes hurt and sometimes heal. In the language of flowers, foxglove is associated with insincerity. The common name is said to come from "folk's gloves," with "folk" referring to fairy folk. In medieval gardens dedicated to Mother Mary, foxglove was called "Our Lady's Gloves" or "gloves of the Virgin." 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.

Foxglove Distribution

Foxglove thrives in soil that is rich in iron and coal. New coal fields can sometimes be located by finding masses of foxgloves growing together. Foxgloves are perennials that thrive in temperate zones and like shade, part shade and sun.

Growing Foxgloves

Foxgloves come in white, yellow, pink, rose, red, lavender and purple. Foxglove can be grown either through seeds or divisions of plant clumps. The plants range from 2-6' high depending on the variety. The flowers look best in the back of a garden and bloom in a pyramid shape with the lowest blossoms opening first and the buds remaining closed at the top.

Impatiens Flower Symbolism

Impatiens are symbolic of motherly love. In the medieval Mary gardens devoted to the Virgin Mary, impatiens were viewed as "Our Lady's earrings." Impatiens flowers come in many different colors from reds to blues to near blacks and browns. The individual colors have not been given separate meanings.

About Impatiens Flowers

There are approximately 1,000 species of impatiens flowers, but only a few are normally grown in modern gardens. Many species are difficult to grow from seed. Instead, impatiens flowers are often grown from cuttings.

Impatiens come in a wide variety of forms including flat flowers and orchid-like shapes. Many species grow only in very narrow ranges and will not grow in other geographical locations.

Fascinating Facts About Impatiens

impatiens flower symbolism photo 2 One of the unique features of impatiens is the explosive nature of the seed pods. Under extreme pressure, the ripe pods explode when they are disturbed. This scatters the seeds as much as twenty feet from the parent plant!

Impatiens also have a strange ability to change sex. The impatiens flower is male when it first opens. After a few days the pollen cap is shed and reveals female organs. This process is to keep the plant from self-pollination. However, it doesn’t always work. Some species naturally set seed without even opening their flowers. Other species are self-sterile.

Ecology of Impatiens Flowers

Impatiens come from many different ecological niches. Some forms epiphytes in trees. The plants rely on the tree for mechanical support but not nutrients, which they produce themselves. The plants are therefore not truly parasitic. Other impatiens are hardy perennials with underground rhizomes and tubers. This allows them to survive bitter freezing temperatures in arctic climates. Other impatiens are semi-aquatics that grow in edges of streams.

Marigold Flower Symbolism

Marigolds are known as the "Herb of the Sun" and are symbolic of passion and creativity. The Welsh believed that if marigolds were not open early in the morning, then a storm was on the way. Marigolds have been used as love charms and incorporated into wedding garlands. Water made from marigolds was thought to induce psychic visions of fairies if rubbed on the eyelids. In some cultures, marigold flowers have been added to pillows to encourage prophetic or psychic dreams.

The marigold is also associated with the lion and the astrological sign Leo. Early Christians named the flower "Mary's Gold" and offered the blossoms in place of money at the foot of her statues. The Portuguese introduced marigolds into India. Eventually the flower was offered to the Hindu gods Vishnu and Lakshmi. The marigold is also considered to be sacred among the Aztec Indians, who decorate their temples with the flower.

The marigold was once thought to protect against the plague and to be effective in stopping gossip. Interestingly, the marigold can symbolize cruelty and jealousy. When used in combination with spells, however, the marigold is an anti-dote for the sharp-tongued and promotes cheery conversations.

Marigold Distribution

Marigolds can be found in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Marigolds can adapt to a wide range of conditions, but prefer full sun and rich soils.

Interesting Facts About Marigolds

The leaves of marigolds have been used to remove warts. Marigolds are also grown and harvested in Mexico to be added to chicken feed. Chickens eating marigold-enriched feed produce eggs with a deep yellow color. The flesh of chickens fed marigolds also take on a rich color to make them more appealing for human consumption The blossoms themselves are quite edible for humans, too, and are often used in egg and cheese dishes. The blossoms also make a yellow dye for fabric.

Growing Marigolds

The marigold is a hardy plant with yellow, orange or rusty red blooms. Marigolds have what many people consider to be a disagreeable odor. Some varieties have been bred to be odor-free, but this negates their use as a plant that wards off insects in gardens. Marigolds are grown from seeds and range in height from 6 to 36 inches. The blossoms can be from 1/2 inch to 5 inches across.

Poppy Flower Symbolism

Poppies are symbolic of beauty, magic, consolation, fertility and eternal life. The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. The Greeks used poppies in the shrines of Demeter, goddess of fertility, and Diana, goddess of the hunt. 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.

Poppy Distribution and History

Poppies do best in cool climates. They are both a cultivated flower and a hearty wildflower. Although poppies are perennials, they are often grown as annuals. Poppies grow through Europe, the Orient and the Americas. Poppies are the state flower of California.

Uses for Poppies

Poppies have been used for centuries in seasonings, medicine and health tonics. Tea from poppies has been used for its calming effect. The oriental poppy is the only poppy that contains opium, but other poppies do have mildly sedative effects, too. Water made from poppies is said to remove wrinkles and freshen the skin. Poppies can also be used for dye and for adding flavor and texture to breads and pastries.

Growing Poppies

Poppies should be watered moderately and kept in full sun. Poppies grow between 2 and 5' tall with blooms up to 12 inches across. Colors include scarlet red, deep orange, light orange, white, purple and pink with black centers. There a single leaf and double leaf forms.

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Tulip Flower Symbolism

Tulips are generally symbolic of 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!

Tulip Natural History

Tulips are originally from Persia and were brought to the Netherlands in the 17th century. Approximately 150 varieties of tulips grow in the wild, especially in mountainous, cold regions. Once the tulip was hybrid, a vast array of colors and petal forms were created. The name for tulips comes from the headdress worn by many Middle Eastern peoples known as a turban or taliban. In Latin, this translates to "tulipa."

Tulipmania

tulip flower symbolism 2 In the years 1636-37, tulipmania ruled in the Netherlands. Tulips were a symbol of wealth and status and were traded like currency. A bed of tulips could buy a small house. Some highly prized tulips were even more valuable and a single bulb could be traded for a large house and all of the land, furniture and other accessories.

When the tulip market crashed, it was similar to the stock market crash in the 20th century. Thousands of businessmen were ruined when the bubble burst.

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Sunflower Symbolism

Sunflowers are symbolic of 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.

Natural History

Sunflowers are native to the Americas and are the state flower of Kansas. The sunflower generally grows in scrub land and dry areas. Sunflowers vary widely in size depending on their adaptive genetic make up, but can reach maximums heights of about 10'.

sunflower symbolism 2 Sunflowers have recently been bred to produce shorter varieties for garden use. The petals were originally quite small and irregular, so efforts have also been made to increase the size and number of petals. Some double petal varieties have also been created as well as variations in the color of the center (brown to black) and even of the petals (honey, beige, pinkish cream, soft yellow, pale russet).

Food Uses

Sunflower seeds are packed with healthy fats, vitamin E, protein, fiber and minerals. Sunflower oil can also be used for cooking. Sunflower serve as animal food, too, mainly for cattle and birds.

Historical and Modern Uses

The seeds of sunflowers have been used by Native Americans for blue or black dye and the petals for yellow dye. Smaller sunflower varieties are often used as cut flowers for bouquets and flower arrangements.

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Sweet Pea Flower Symbolism

The language of flowers associates the following meanings with with sweet peas: blissful pleasure, delicate pleasure, good-bye, departure, adieu and thank you for a lovely time. Sweet peas were very popular in the late 1800s and are often considered the floral emblem for Edwardian England. Sweet peas are the flowers most closely connected to the month of April.

Sweet Pea Description

sweet pea flower symbolism 2 Sweet peas come in over 250 varieties. Annual varieties prefer full sun, regular watering and soil with plenty of humus. Perennial sweet peas survive in average soils with moderate watering. Sweet peas are wonderfully fragrant and were originally grown in the fields of Sicily. Most types grow from 1-5' tall, though some may reach 6'.

Uses of Sweet Peas

Sweet peas can be used successfully as cut flowers and in corsages and boutonnieres. The most famous, and perhaps most important use of sweet peas was the extensive genetics studies performed by Gregor Mendel.

Planning Your Garden

The next time you are planning a garden, don't forget to consider the flower symbolism of different flowers. By doing so, you can create a garden that is a conversation piece as well as a beautiful sight to see!

See other articles related to flower symbolism:
Flower Symbolism Through the Ages
The Symbolism of Apples and Apple Blossoms
Flower Symbolism and the Mary Garden

See a complete list of articles in our Article Library.

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