Flower Meanings: What Your Bouquet Says

Why Flower Meanings Still Matter

Long before flowers became a simple gift, they carried specific meanings, a tradition sometimes called floriography. While most people today choose flowers based on colour and personal taste, knowing the traditional meanings can add a thoughtful layer to your choice, especially for meaningful occasions like a wedding or anniversary.

Roses: Love in Every Colour

Red roses are the classic symbol of romantic love, while pink roses suggest admiration and gratitude. White roses carry meanings of purity and new beginnings, making them popular for weddings, and yellow roses traditionally represent friendship and joy.

• Red roses: passionate love
• Pink roses: gratitude and admiration
• White roses: purity and new beginnings
• Yellow roses: friendship and happiness

Proteas: Courage and Transformation

As South Africa's national flower, proteas carry meanings of courage, diversity and transformation, fitting given their striking, resilient nature. A bouquet featuring proteas makes a meaningful gift for someone going through a period of change or facing a challenge with strength.

Lilies: Purity and Sympathy

White lilies are traditionally associated with purity and are among the most common flowers used in sympathy flowers. Other lily colours, like the vibrant orange tiger lily, carry meanings of confidence and pride.

Sunflowers: Warmth and Loyalty

Sunflowers symbolise warmth, loyalty and lasting happiness, their bright, sun-facing nature making them a popular choice for uplifting gifts and celebratory occasions.

Chrysanthemums and Carnations

Chrysanthemums traditionally represent joy and optimism, while carnations carry different meanings depending on colour, pink for gratitude, red for deep affection, and white for pure love and good luck.

Choosing Flowers With Meaning

When you want a bouquet that says something specific, tell our team the sentiment you are going for and we can suggest the right combination of blooms. Whether it is for a anniversary, a birthday, or simply a gesture of appreciation, our contact page is the easiest way to start that conversation.