Although flowers are renowned for their beauty and ability to bring cheer and joy, some flowers actually do have negative associations. See the list below.

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.

Amaryllis Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of amaryllis is pride, timidity and splendid beauty. Learn more about the meaning of the name amaryllis.

Anemone Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of anemone flowers is anticipation, expectation, forsaken and frailty. Learn more about the meaning of the name of the anemone flower.

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. More about calendula flower symbolism.

Calla Lily Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning calla lily flowers is magnificent beauty and pride. Read our article on calla lilies. See our gifts featuring calla lilies.

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. (Photo courtesy of Heron2, Wikimedia Commons)

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). More about chrysanthemum flower symbolism. Learn about the meaning of the name chrysanthemum.

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. (Photo courtesy of Challiyan, Wikimedia Commons)

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. Learn more about dahlia symbolism.

Deadly Nightshade Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of deadly nightshade flowers is falsehood. (Photo courtesy of Richardelainechambers, Wikimedia Commons)

Foxglove Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of foxglove flowers is stateliness and youth.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. Learn more about geranium flower symbolism.

Goldenrod Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of goldenrod flowers is be cautious and encouragement. (Photo courtesy of SriMesh, Wikimedia Commons)

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. (Photo courtesy of Foxypar4, Wikimedia Commons)

Hepatica Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of hepatica flowers is anger. Also known as liverwort, the hepatica has been used as a treatment for liver disorders but can be poisonous in large doses.

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 loneliness, I'll pray for you (white); and jealousy (yellow). Learn more about hyacinth symbolism.

Hydrangea Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of hydrangea flowers is thank you for your understanding, frigidity and heartlessness. (Photo courtesy of Joanne Bergenwall Aw, Wikimedia Commons)

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. More lilac symbolism.

Monkshood Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of monkshood flowers is danger is near, beware a deadly foe is near and chivalry. (Photo courtesy of Tobe Deprez, Wikimedia Commons)

Narcissus Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of the narcissus is normality, stay sweet, self-esteem and vanity. Learn more about narcissus flower symbolism.

Oleander Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning oleander flowers is beware. (Photo courtesy of Ranko, Wikimedia Commons)

Petunia Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of the petunia is resentment, anger and your presence soothes me. Learn more about petunia symbolism.

Poppy Flowers Meanings

The symbolic meaning of poppies is beauty, pleasure, magic, consolation (red), sleep (white), fertility, eternal life, wealth and success (yellow). 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. Learn about the meaning of the name primrose.

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. Learn more about rhododendron flower symbolism.

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. Learn about the meaning of the flower name saffron. (Photo courtesy of Nick Perla, Wikimedia Commons)

Order Bouquets and Flowers
The extensive FloristOne catalog features flowers for every occasion and an extensive network of florists that allows for same day delivery to nearly all of the United States and Canada. Send a classic gift with special meaning for a birthday, baby's birth, holiday, sympathy, graduation or other special occasion. Nothing else communicates your sentiments quite as well as flowers. See our selection of bouquets and flowers here or go directly to the FloristOne website to see all flowers available.

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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

Kathleen Karlsen, MA is a professional artist and freelance writer. She is an expert in symbolism, personal growth, design psychology, natural living, and holistic parenting. Kathleen's writing experience includes web content development, article syndication, scriptwriting, books and marketing communications. See Kathleen's art at www.kathleenkarlsenart.com. Contact Kathleen at kathleenkarlsen@msn.com.

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