For hundreds of years, women have swooned over a beautiful bouquet. And, for good reason! Flowers help us share feelings and emotions during occasions of all types. This spring, whether you’re giving or receiving, it’s fun to learn about Mother’s Day flower meanings. Do you know what your favorite blooms are trying to say to you this spring?
What Do Mother’s Day Flowers Mean?
In the 1800s, the symbolism of flowers was often discussed and questioned, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. During this Victorian era, it wasn’t uncommon to see floral guidebooks and botanical publications positioned prominently in the home. The books were often studied to understand the literary, folklore and religious meanings of flowers.
As you gaze at a beautiful Mother’s Day bouquet this season, do some of these classic meanings ring true for you?
Roses
The most popular flower for Mother’s Day represents a wide range of loving emotions. The color of rose you bestow reflects your current mood and thoughts. Red roses symbolize love and beauty while pink roses evoke grace and happiness. Choose a white rose to honor a mother who has passed. Yellow roses celebrate joy and friendship.
Bluebells
A handpicked bouquet of bluebells expresses kindness. Have you ever received a few stems from an adoring child? The purple-blue blooms often collected from forests or wildflower gardens bring a smile to all recipients.
Carnations
This popular flower has multiple meanings based on the color of the bloom. Classic pink relates to memories and the idea of ‘I’ll never forget you.’ while red carnations vow deep love. If you admire white carnations, it’s said you’re sweet and lovely.
Peonies
Despite their big, bold blooms, peonies are thought to represent bashfulness. These are often given on Mother’s Day by a coy admirer or a quiet friend. For a more pronounced effect, choose the deep magenta and pink hues. To be subtle, pastel pink and white blooms are perfect.
Daisy
The classic yellow and white daisy is a simple, beautiful bloom that evokes hope and innocence. A bouquet of these classic flowers are perfect for a mother facing challenging times or as a gift from children.
Hyacinth
Next to tulips and daffodils, the spring hyacinth is a bold, fragrant flower often given as a potted plant on Mother’s Day. A blue bloom represents constant, long-lasting love. Purple hyacinths reflect sorrow and forgiveness. White blooms relate to love and prayers.
Violets
These common wildflowers vary in shades of purple and white, with flecks of yellow often in the center of the bloom. It’s thought that white violets represent innocence, a perfect flower for a child to give to a mother. Purple flowers represent love. When presenting a variegated purple-white bunch of violets, an innocent love is blossoming.
Tulips
When you want to express passion, tulips are the go-to flower. They’re one of the first spring blooms waiting to burst through the soil and greet the new season. Fiery red tulips express passionate love. Soft pink and yellow tulips represent a deep friendship that’s growing into something more.
Chrysanthemum
The hearty blooms of mums represent cheerfulness. Whether you choose large sprawling spider mums or a petite variety, a colorful mix represents happiness and joy between the giver and receiver.
We hope you and your family have a memorable Mother’s Day this spring. Be sure to take a family stroll along our beautifully landscaped walkways and visit The Arboretum to see the colorful blooms and community art this season. Happy Mother’s Day!