What Does This Flower Color Mean?

Flowers come in a plethora of colors and meanings. With so many colors representing a variety of emotions and feelings, it is often difficult to remember the different meanings associated with special flower colors. Breathe easy now! This handy guide to flower meanings by color will help send the right message for every occasion!

Red – Love, power, desire, seduction

Red has long represented true love, a thirst for power, intensity and desire, and passionate seduction. In nature, red is associated with heat, fire, and strength. Red catches the eye, grabs attention, and stimulates the mind. A dozen red roses arrangement is a typical gift between lovers. The “bloodthirsty” intensity and drive of a powerful executive makes a red flower arrangement the perfect gift.

**Red, pink, and white are common colors selected for Valentine’s Day arrangements.**

**Red and green are common colors used during the celebration of Christmas.**

Orange – Enthusiasm, energy, warmth, harvest, confidence

Orange is a very brazen color in nature. It is often associated with the fall harvest celebrations, warmth and energy of a fire, and chipper enthusiasm. Orange flowers make a bold statement and draw a large amount of attention.

Yellow – Friendship, joy, natural energy, brilliance, warmth

Yellow is the color most commonly associated with friendship. Yellow flowers may be used to celebrate a new friendship or to slow the development of a romantic relationship. Yellow is a vibrant color whose brilliance is often associated with natural energy and warmth like that of the sun. Yellow flowers stimulate feelings of joy and make excellent gifts for cheering up someone who is down or brightening the day of a loved one.

Green – Fertility, wealth, health, youth

Green these days can mean anything from environmentally friendly to financially wealthy. Green flowers represent all of these feelings from the fertility and fresh green sprouts of nature to the vitality and spritely youth of someone.

Blue – Tranquility, trust, peace, rest

The opposite of red, blue is a very calming color. The meaning of blue flowers is rooted in tranquility, trust, peace, and rest. Dark blue is also an elegant color that represents expertise and trust. Blue flowers are often sent to someone who needs a reprieve from anxiety, stress, or worrying. Blue is a very popular color in nurseries as it promotes rest and sleep.

Purple – Royalty, power, devotion, success, pride, good judgment

Even the great Emperor Caesar Augustus wore purple because of its strong ties to royalty, pride, and power. Purple can also represent good judgment especially in financial decisions. Purple flower arrangements are excellent gift ideas for women in charge or to send a message of confidence for a special boost.

White – Purity, innocence, fresh start, reverence, simplicity

Brides, babies, and angels of lore all wear white. This is no surprise as white represents purity, innocence, spiritual reverence, untarnished nature, and simplicity. A fresh arrangement of white flowers is a unique way to celebrate the birth of a baby, the fresh beginning of a marriage, and more.

Black – Power, mystery, farewell

Black is a mysterious color that draws attention because of its brooding and secretive nature. Perplexing, the mysteriousness of black also lend to its power and appeal because of such great intrigue. Alternatively, black can also represent death, dying, or departure and goodbye. Black flowers are not found in nature but flowers that appear black or black cultivars are very popular as over-the-hill gifts, sympathy announcement flowers, or to announce the end of a relationship. While black flowers are normally associate with negative things, recent design trends allow black to be used with other colors such as red, sprigs of white, silver-tipped flowers, and more to accentuate a room or accompany an elegant gift such as jewelry.

**Black and orange are used to celebrate Halloween.**

Brown – Warmth, nature, practicality, stability, dependability

Like orange, brown flowers represent warmth and nature but in an understated tone as opposed to the energy of orange. Brown flowers may be used in conjunction with the giving of chocolate, a new pet, or to celebrate a fall wedding or harvest.

Peach – Wisdom, appreciation, gratitude

A blend of pink and orange, peach captures the best of the meanings of both colors. Peach represents the warmth and appreciation of orange with the tenderness and romance of pink.

Coral – Desire, love

Coral is a unique color that represents love but especially desire. Coral flower arrangements are an excellent gift for revealing intense desire to a loved one but in a more creative way than traditional reds and pinks.

Dark red – Beauty, love

Dark red is an intense version of the romantic color and represents a bolder expression of beauty and love.

Pink – Romance, grace, playfulness, sweetness, sincerity

Pink is a delicate color that is often used in flower arrangements to express romance, sincerity, and a sweet nature. Much like the personality of a little girl, pink conveys playfulness, grace, and an adorable quality that is perfect for wives, girlfriends, or daughters.

Lavender – Femininity, tenderness, elegance, delicate

The softer side of purple, lavender is much like pink is to red in that it captures the intense qualities of purple such as elegance and lofty ambition but lends itself to the more tender interpretations of femininity, delicate nature, grace, and supple beauty. Lavender flower arrangements make excellent wedding centerpieces, prom flowers, and more when the graceful attraction of a woman is to be celebrated.

Flower Spotlight: Gerbera

Daisies have been around for a long time and are a popular choice among florists, especially the Gerbera daisy! They come in a wide array of colors, making them beautiful additions to any flower arrangement. Keep reading to learn more about their origin, meaning, and some interesting facts:

Origin

Gerbera daisies originate from South Africa, where they were discovered by Robert Jameson in 1884. While Jameson made the discovery, Gerberas are actually named after German botanist Traugott Gerber. There are about 40 documented species of Gerbera, some of them still native to the South African area where they were first discovered.

Facts

Gerberas come from the sunflower family and always turn towards the sun, tracking it east to west.

While they might look like one flower, Gerberas are actually a cluster of hundreds of individual flowers.

Gerberas come in all colors naturally, except for blue. If you see a blue Gerbera, it’s artificial.

Meanings

Daisies are generally associated with innocence and purity. They are also seen as a classic symbol of beauty. Gerbera Daisies, more specifically, mean cheerfulness. This is due to their variety of colors and the belief that they can lessen everyday stress.

With their variety of bright colors, Gerbera daisies make a beautiful accent for any floral arrangement.

Be sure to ask Barefoot Florist to use Gerberas the next time you send flowers!

Wedding Trend – Suspended and Hanging Flowers

Bring innovative design and breathtaking views to your wedding day with the use of suspended and hanging flowers. This dramatic wedding trend can instantly add depth and elegance to an outdoor or indoor space. Find ideas for your wedding venue with these inspirational images. Remember to save the pictures you like so Barefoot Florist can make your vision come to life!

Romantic

This beautiful photo shows how hanging floral arrangements can give your space an intimate feeling. A wedding reception ceremony should feel lush and romantic, and hanging flowers will achieve that. Display a floral ceiling design in your wedding in locations like in the picture.

Elegant

Incorporate some of your secondary colors in your hanging flowers to pull your color scheme together.

Fresh Out of the Garden

Brighten up a dark space with whimsical arrangements hung in colorful pots.

Dramatic

Hanging floral arrangements are also a great way to create a dramatic focal point. Draw the crowd in with beautiful blooms. Decorate your guest tables with small and subtle accents and let the centerpieces hang from the ceiling. Using hanging floral centerpieces gives your venue a dramatic look and a unique decorative touch. A flower chandelier also works well over a single long table if you’re having a smaller reception.

Flower Spotlight: Sweet Pea

Sweet Peas, or Lathyrus odoratus, have over 100 species and belong to the pea-flower subfamily, Fabaceae family. The name Lathyrus is Greek for “pea”, while odoratus means “scented-one.” Keep reading to learn more about their origin, meaning, and some interesting facts!

Origin

Sweet Peas were originally discovered in southern Italy and Sicily, where they grew wild and were discovered by a Sicilian monk who loved their fragrance so much that he sent seeds to plant collectors and botanical institutions all over the world. Scottish nurseryman Henry Eckford, however, gets most of the credit for developing and hybridizing the sweet pea. He turned this wildflower into one of the most popular flowers of the Victorian era, and was granted a Victoria Medal of Honor by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Sweet Peas bloom all over the world now, and have one of the widest color ranges of any plant. They come in multiple shades of blue, clear red, pink, white, cream, purple, magenta, peach, and burgundy. Their fragrance is sweet and soothing, honey-like, living up to their name.

Facts

Sweet Peas were believed to be a good omen for brides in France.

Some cultures believed that sweet peas had magical properties that would deepen one’s wisdom and provide spiritual strength.

Sweet Peas were commonly worn for strength and as a sign of truth.

John Keats wrote a poem about the flowers, titled Sweet Pea (Delicate Pleasures).

Meanings

With a name so nice, it’s only fitting that sweet peas would have a sweet meaning. The most common association is blissful pleasure. They also symbolize gratitude, loyalty, departures, and goodbyes, and are a great way to say “Thank you for a lovely time.” Each color offers a different meaning, making sweet peas perfect for any occasion. White symbolizes purity and innocence, while red signifies love, passion, and desire. Purple symbolizes royalty and pride, while pink signifies youth and beauty. Delicate and delightful, sweet peas make for a gorgeous addition to any bouquet.

Be sure to ask your Barefoot Florist to use sweet peas the next time you send flowers!

Extend the Life of Your Arrangement

It is so sad when a beautiful flower arrangement starts to wilt. Slow down this process and keep your flowers looking fresh longer with these expert flower care tips. There are many simple things you can do to enjoy your flowers for as long as possible. Try out these handy tips from our florists and see if your flowers last longer!

Mist your flowers

Keep your flowers hydrated and happy by giving them a mist every few hours.

Avoid the light

After flowers have been cut, sunlight speeds up the process of their decay. Keep your arrangement away from window sills or direct sunlight so they will stay looking fresh.

Feed your flowers

If a packet of flower preservative comes with your arrangement, add it to the water. These preservatives have antimicrobial properties that will kill bacteria and keep your flowers standing tall.

Stay away from extreme temperatures

Keep fresh flowers away from drafts and extreme temperatures, which can quickly dry out your flowers and cause wilting.

Change the water in the vase

All flower and foliage stems should be submerged. Flowers stay fresher, longer when they can get a drink! Watch your water though and make sure that when it gets cloudy you change it out. Here is how to properly change out the water in your flower arrangement.

Remove any dead or dying flowers.

After carefully removing the good flowers, clean the vase thoroughly with soapy water to remove any bacteria that could cause the fresh flowers to deteriorate even quicker.

For best results, cut stems with a sharp knife at an angle about one to two inches from the bottom. This allows them to better absorb water. Do not use scissors to cut your flowers because they can crush the stems and prevent water absorption.

Replace the water and mix in the flower preservative provided by your florist, according to the instructions on the packet.

Place loose stems or wrapped bouquets of fresh flowers in your water mixture as soon as possible.

Now that you know how to properly care for a fresh cut flower arrangement, it’s time for you to get one!

Head to Barefoot Florist today to find beautiful seasonal blooms.

Flower Spotlight: Dahlia

Imagine a flower that comes in almost as many sizes as it does colors. One that has had mysteries named after it and brides can’t seem to get enough of- Dahlias. They are romantic, mysterious, and so varied that they can often be mistaken for other flowers.

History

Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America, where they were considered vegetables, not garden flowers. The tubers were introduced in Europe in the 18th century and they became known more for their blooms than their edible roots. The dahlia was brought to Europe by Abbe Cavanille and he named it after the Swedish scientist, Andreas Dahl.

Symbolism

The dahlia has many different meanings, and as with most flowers, this meaning varies by the color of dahlia given. The dahlia most commonly symbolizes dignity, elegance, commitment, diversity, and instability or betrayal.

Fun Facts

The dahlia genus was renamed Georgina in 1803 in error, and is still referred to by this name in some parts of eastern Europe.

The flowers on the dahlia can range in size from one inch to as big as a large dinner plate.

There are more than 40 recognized species of dahlias in existence.

Dahlias come in every color except for true blue and black. Dahlias that are traditionally known as black dahlias are actually burgundy.

They can have single or double flowers, as well as a ball, pompon, cactus, and waterlily types, among others.

Availability

The dahlia is often referred to as the most popular flower of the summer and often bloom into the fall. They can usually be found at your florist year round.

Ask Barefoot Florist to include Dahlias in your next flower arrangement order!

Classic Flowers to Send this Mother’s Day

Our mothers do so much for us throughout the year, and Mother’s Day is the perfect time to let them know that all they do doesn’t go unappreciated. This year consider sending your mom something classic this year to celebrate her day.

Roses

You can’t go wrong with a bouquet full of roses! As a more traditional flower, roses make a perfect choice that any mother is certain to love. Red roses usually represent romantic love, but other colors like pink or yellow are a great choice for Mother’s Day! Pink roses stand for gratitude and appreciation, while yellow ones are representative of a caring nature.

Lilies

The lily is a symbol of fertility and motherhood in many cultures across the world, which makes it a perfect flower to include for Mother’s Day. Any color lily will be a beautiful choice for your mom, but if you want to say thank you to her, be sure to send her yellow lilies which represent gratitude.

Carnanions

These are the most traditional flowers that are sent for Mother’s Day each year. The founder of the holiday, Anna Jarvis, honored her mother’s memory with white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower. These flowers have since become a staple of Mother’s Day celebrations. Carnations signify purity, faith, love, beauty, and charity, which all represent the virtues of motherhood.

Tulips

If you think your mom would love a more modern arrangement, tulips might be a perfect choice! They express enduring love, making them a great option for Mother’s Day. They also represent comfort, coziness, and happiness, all of which they’re certain to bring into your mom’s home!

Peonies

By sending your mom peonies, you are honoring her. Peonies also stand for compassion and happiness, along with beauty and good fortune. These are a great flower to let your mom know just how much she means to you!

Not sure if any of these choices are a perfect fit for your mom? Don’t limit yourself to these traditional flowers! The most important thing is to be sure to choose flowers that your mom will love.

Barefoot Florist would be more than happy to help you pick out the perfect gift for your mother!

Flower Spotlight: Lilies

Let’s start the summer off by learning about the fourth most popular flower in the world, lilies. Lilies are popular for their large trumpet-shaped petals and strong scent. This flower comes in a variety of different shapes, sizes and colors. With over 100 genuses in the Liliaceae family there is much to learn!

Origins and Symbolism

Lilies are native to the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe and North America. In the Victorian Era lilies earned the meaning “majesty,” due to their unique shape and long-time association with the Virgin Mary. People during this era would wear lilies in their hair and pinned to evening gowns.

The lily symbolizes purity and refined beauty. Each color of the lily represents a different meaning. White lily flowers symbolize purity and modesty, orange lily flowers symbolize passion, and pink lilies symbolize wealth and prosperity.

To Consider

The oil extracted from lilies has been found to have healing and softening abilities. The oil has been known to work well for cracked and dry skin.

There is an old wives’ tale that predicts the sex of an unborn child through using a lily and a rose. Simply walk up to an expectant mother with a lily in one hand and a rose in the other. If the mother chooses the rose, it will be a girl. If the mother chooses the lily, it will be a boy.

Availability

Lily flowers are available in white, yellow, pink, red and orange; many have a deeper color (freckles) on the inner petal. Lily flowers always leave a lasting impression and are common flowers to use for birthday arrangements and other celebrations.

Visit your local florist and you will find not only lilies but many more astonishing blooms! If you can’t decide what arrangement or flower to get, ask for advice! The best part of dealing with Barefoot Florist is the personalized attention.  Order a fresh arrangement with lilies for your home today !

3 Popular Cascading Bouquets

Cascading wedding bouquets are back in style this year with a fresh new look. Brides are wanting a looser whimsical vibe for their weddings and this bouquet shape helps achieve that effortless beauty. Here are three types of cascading bouquets that brides are looking for this year.

Whimsical

Achieving a free-flowing whimsical look can be difficult but adding lush greenery will give the arrangement artistic charm and shape. This style is a great compliment to lace wedding dresses and outside ceremonies. This unique arrangement bursting with blooms is sure to stun your guests and bring your wedding to life.

Elegant

The cascading bouquet used to only be used in very formal and traditional weddings. Today though we see this updated style being used in a variety of wedding themes. The waterfall dimensions and natural flowing look make a romantic elegant statement during a bride’s walk down the aisle.

Traditional

While the cascading bouquet has an updated look and style, the traditional arrangement of lush white blooms is still very popular. This dramatic bouquet creates romance and is perfect for grand fairy-tale weddings.

The cascading bouquet is so popular because of its dramatic shape and appearance. This style has stood the test of time and will continue to be chosen by brides for its grace and splendor.

Flower Spotlight: Tulips

Tulips have been around for centuries and have been popular throughout history. With their many varieties of colors, they are beautiful additions to any flower arrangement. Keep reading to learn more about their origin, meaning, and some interesting facts:

Origin

Tulips were originally a wildflower located in Central Asia. They were first cultivated as early as 1000AD by the Turks when the Sultan demanded particular blooms be cultivated for his pleasure. Tulips, derived from the Turkish word for turban, were introduced into Europe in the 16th century by Carolus Clusius.

His friend from Turkey, Ogier Ghiselain de Busbecq, sent him tulip bulbs for his medicinal garden. These tulip flowers were the start of the bulb fields seen in the Netherlands today. Tulips remained popular all the way through the 18th century when ‘The Age of the Tulip’ or ‘Tulip Mania’ began. Now, there are over 150 species of tulip flowers, with over 3,000 different varieties available. 

Facts

Tulips are part of the lily family and will turn towards the sun when housed in a vase. 

Their flower buds are known for being almost symmetrical. 

Tulip flowers are actually edible and can be used to replace onions in many recipes.

Most tulip flowers sprout a single flower bud, but a few varieties have up to four on a single stem.

Tulip flowers only bloom for 3-7 days in the spring.

You can find tulip flowers in almost any color.  

Meanings

Tulip flowers have many meanings, but the most common meanings are perfection and deep love. They are also seen as the bringers of spring and can mean ‘rebirth’. While they have an overall meaning, each color can symbolize something different. White tulips symbolize forgiveness, while yellow tulips represent cheerful thoughts. You can say a lot with tulip flowers! 

Beautiful and bold, tulips make the perfect accent or standalone flower in any arrangement.

Be sure to ask Barefoot Florist to use tulips the next time you send flowers!