For example, tulips, with their disarmingly open cups, denote honesty. Violets, being timid little flowers that hide away at the base of forest trees, are the perfect symbol for modesty and shyness. The stately sunflower, or sun-follower, which can also signify pride or haughtiness, has been traditionally given the meaning ‘my eyes see only you’, for its devotion ion following the sun.

Orange blossom has been worn by brides ever since Jupiter gave an orange to his bride, Juno, in Roman times. The long-lasting aromatic rosemary is for remembrance and good faith, another symbol beloved of the ancient Romans.

Primroses have long been establishes as a symbol of first youth, appearing as they do to herald the first flush of spring. The stalwart oak means bravery, strength and protection; conversely, morning glory, which opens only for a short time early in the day, is the perfect embodiment of coquetry and teasing.

The olive has stood for peace since Biblical times-but did you know that the homely black mulberry has a singular dramatic meaning: ‘I will not survive you’? Even blackberries traditionally mean envy.

Laurel is a familiar symbol of achievement and glory- we even speak of someone ‘resting on their laurels’ instead of stirring themselves to fresh conquests. Lily of the valley, another spring flower, means hope, or the return of happiness; and anyone who had ever tried to remove the tenacious honeysuckle from the side of their house will understand why it is held to mean steadfastness, the chains of love. Iris is the messenger, meaning ‘I have a message for you’; jonquils convey desire; and the gorgeous but lethally poisonous datura flower unsurprisingly represents disguise, or deceitful charms.

The carnation, which has been bred into striped, feathered and bold-coloured patterns but always tends back towards its original pure white, has come to mean a strong and pure love that does not waver; yellow carnations used to be a sign of disdain.

The poppy, which grew so plentifully in the war-torn fields of France, means consolation, because of its narcotic properties, poppy also symbolises sleep, dreams and fantasy.

Roses have different meanings depending on their colour and style: everybody knows that red roses convey passion and yellow roses mean friendship (or jealousy), but did you know that white roses symbolise silence, or innocence? Unopened white rosebuds mean a virginal girl, or a heart, which ignores love: and dead white roses were often used in funeral wreaths for young people, meaning ‘It is better to die than to lose innocence’.

And what could be a better symbol for innocence than a simple daisy?

Have some fun putting together meaningful bouquets; or you might like to use the language of flowers to create one of our flower cards.