The Surprising Meanings Behind Your Favorite Flowers

Everyone knows the phrase, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And sure, the name of a flower may not carry a whole lot of symbolism — but the meaning behind your favorite blooms can have a significant impact on the Valentine's day gift. You probably choose bouquets based on the types of flowers your recipient likes best, or whichever ones look or smell prettiest. Tulips, for example, are a quick impulse buy at your local grocery store. And roses, obviously, are a romantic gesture for special occasions. But both of these gifts are heavy with meaning.

Turns out, a rose is not simply a rose — it carries a powerful message to its recipient that can turn a regular old bunch of blooms into a beautiful expression of love, gratitude, or friendship. And as you probably know, there are different meanings for different colored roses. While many flowers are linked to romance and passion, you may be shocked to learn that some of the most popular ones actually symbolize negativity, anger, or loss. Before you buy delivery flowers for a family member or your S.O. with accidental funereal connotations, check out these flower meanings from A Victorian Flower Dictionary and The Farmer's Almanac.