Meanings of Flowers
Flower meanings and symbolisation were a key element to flower choice many years ago. EASYFLOWERS® have noticed this old school tradition is making a comeback. So to help you make the right decision we have provided the following information to assist you in your flower choice.
Obviously you do not have to send an arrangement that has a deep meaning behind the flower type, you can just choose an arrangement because you like the look of it. But having this information can assist you in your choice if you are finding it hard to decide on a design.
Flower Type Meanings
The following is an extensive list of flower types and the meanings/ sentiment they portray. Included in the list are the meaning of Roses and more.
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ACACIA |
Concealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste Love |
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AGAPANTHIS |
Secret Love |
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AMBROSIA |
Your Love is Given Back/Returned |
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AMARYLLIS |
Pride, Pastoral Poetry |
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ANEMONE |
Forsaken, sincerity |
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ARBUTUS |
Thee Only Do I Love |
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ASTER |
Symbol of Love, Daintiness |
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AZALEA |
Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of Womanhood |
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BACHELOR BUTTON |
Single Blessedness |
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BEGONIA |
Beware |
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BELLS OF IRELAND |
Good Luck |
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BITTERSWEET |
Truth |
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BLUEBELL |
Humility |
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CACTUS |
Endurance |
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CALADIUM |
Great joy and delight |
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CAMELLIA |
Good luck gift for a man |
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CAMELLIA (PINK) |
Longing for you |
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CAMELLIA (RED) |
You're a Flame in My Heart |
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CAMELLIA (WHITE) |
You're Adorable |
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CARNATION (GENERAL) |
Fascination, Woman Love |
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CARNATION (PINK) |
I'll Never Forget You |
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CARNATION (RED) |
My Heart Aches For You, Admiration |
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CARNATION (PURPLE) |
Capriciousness, Whimsical |
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CARNATION (SOLID COLOR) |
Yes |
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CARNATION (STRIPED) |
No, Refusal, Sorry I Can't Be With You, Wish I Could Be With You |
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CARNATION (WHITE) |
Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman's Good Luck Gift |
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CARNATION (YELLOW) |
You Have Disappointed Me, Rejection |
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CATTAIL |
Peace, Prosperity |
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CHRYSANTHEMUM (GENERAL) |
You're a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest. |
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CHRYSANTHEMUM (WHITE) |
Truth |
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CHRYSANTHEMUM (YELLOW) |
Slighted Love |
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CROCUS |
Cheerfulness, gladness |
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Resignation and Good-bye |
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DAFFODIL |
Respect, Regard, Unrequited Love, You're the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining when I'm with You |
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Innocence, Loyal Love, I'll Never Tell, Purity |
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DANDELION |
Faithfulness, Happiness |
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FERN |
Magic, Fascination, Confidence and Shelter |
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FIR |
Time |
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FLAX |
Domestic Symbol |
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FORGET-ME-NOT |
True Love, Good Memories |
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FORSYTHIA |
Anticipation |
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FREESIA |
T rust |
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GARDENIA |
You're Lovely, Secret Love |
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GERANIUM |
Stupidity, Folly |
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Give Me a Break, I'm Really Sincere, Flower of the Gladiators |
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GLOXINIA |
Love at First Sight |
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HEATHER (LAVENDER) |
Admiration, Solitude |
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HEATHER (WHITE) |
Protection, Wishes Will Come True |
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HOLLY |
Defence, Domestic Happiness |
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HONEYSUCKLE |
Happiness |
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HYACINTH (GENERAL) |
Games and Sports, Rashness, Flower Dedicated to Apollo |
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HYACINTH (BLUE) |
Constancy |
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HYACINTH (PURPLE) |
I am Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow |
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HYACINTH (RED OR PINK) |
Play |
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HYACINTH (WHITE) |
Loveliness, I'll Pray for You |
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HYACINTH (YELLOW) |
Jealousy |
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HYDRANGEA |
Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity, Heartlessness |
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Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France, Your Friendship Means so Much to Me, Faith, Hope, Wisdom and Valour, My Compliments |
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IVY |
Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection |
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JONQUIL |
Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy, Desire for Affection Returned |
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LARKSPUR (PINK) |
Fickleness |
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LILY (WHITE) |
Virginity, Purity, Majesty, It's Heavenly to be with You |
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LILY (YELLOW) |
I'm Walking on Air, False and Gay |
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LILY (CALLA) |
Beauty |
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LILY (DAY) |
Coquetry, Chinese Emblem for Mother |
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LILY (EUCHARIS) |
Maiden Charms |
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LILY (TIGER) |
Wealth, Pride |
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LILY OF THE VALLEY |
Sweetness, Tears of the Virgin Mary, Return to Happiness, Humility, You've Made My Life Complete, beauty, gaiety |
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MAGNOLIA |
Nobility |
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MARIGOLD |
Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy |
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MISTLETOE |
Kiss me, Affection, To Surmount Difficulties, Sacred Plant of India |
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MONKSHOOD |
Beware, A Deadly Foe is Near |
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MOSS |
Maternal Love, Charity |
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MYRTLE |
Love, Hebrew Emblem of Marriage |
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NARCISSUS |
Egotism, Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are |
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NASTURTIUM |
Conquest, Victory in Battle |
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OLEANDER |
Caution |
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ORANGE BLOSSOM |
Innocence, Eternal Love, Marriage and Fruitfulness |
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ORANGE MOCK |
Deceit |
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Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many Children, Thoughtful, Maturity, Charm |
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ORCHID (CATTLEYA) |
Mature Charm |
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PALM LEAVES |
Victory and Success |
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PEONY |
Shame, Happy Life, Happy Marriage |
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PETUNIA |
Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Sooths Me |
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PINE |
Hope, Pity |
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POPPY (GENERAL) |
Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination |
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POPPY (RED) |
Pleasure |
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POPPY (WHITE) |
Consolation |
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POPPY (YELLOW) |
Wealth, Success |
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PRIMROSE |
I Can't Live Without You |
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PRIMROSE (EVENING) |
Inconstancy |
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ROSE (BRIDAL) |
Happy Love |
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ROSE (DARK CRIMSON) |
Mourning |
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ROSE (HIBISCUS) |
Delicate Beauty |
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ROSE (LEAF) |
You May Hope |
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ROSE (PINK) |
Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me |
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ROSE (RED) |
Love, I Love You |
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ROSE (TEA) |
I'll Remember Always |
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ROSE (THORNLESS) |
Love at First Sight |
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ROSE (WHITE) |
Innocence and Purity, I am Worthy of You, You're Heavenly, Secrecy and Silence |
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ROSE (WHITE AND RED MIXED) |
Unity, Flower Emblem of England |
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ROSE (WHITE-DRIED) |
Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue |
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ROSE (YELLOW) |
Decrease of Love, Jealousy, Try to Care |
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ROSEBUD |
Beauty and Youth, A Heart Innocent of Love |
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ROSEBUD (RED) |
Pure and Lovely |
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ROSEBUD (WHITE) |
Girlhood |
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ROSEBUD (MOSS) |
Confessions of Love |
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ROSES (Bouquet of Mature Blooms) |
Gratitude |
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ROSES (Single Full Bloom) |
I Love You, I Still Love You |
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SMILAX |
Loveliness |
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SNAPDRAGON |
Deception, Gracious Lady |
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SPIDER FLOWER |
Elope with Me |
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STEPHANOTIS |
Happiness in Marriage, Desire to Travel |
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STOCK |
Bonds of Affection, Promptness, You'll Always Be Beautiful to Me |
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SUNFLOWER |
Pride, Sunshine |
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SWEETPEA |
Good-bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely Time |
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TULIP (GENERAL) |
Perfect Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland |
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TULIP (RED) |
Believe Me, Declaration of Love |
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TULIP (VARIEGATED) |
Beautiful Eyes |
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TULIP (YELLOW) |
There's Sunshine in Your Smile |
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VIOLET |
Modesty |
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VIOLET (BLUE) |
Watchfulness, Faithfulness, I'll Always Be True |
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VIOLET (WHITE) |
Let's Take a Chance |
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VISCARIA |
Dance With Me |
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WISTERIA |
Welcome |
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ZINNIA (MAGENTA) |
Lasting Affection |
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ZINNIA (MIXED) |
Thinking (or In Memory) of an Absent Friend |
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ZINNIA (SCARLET) |
Constancy |
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ZINNIA (WHITE) |
Goodness |
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ZINNIA (YELLOW) |
Daily Remembrance |
Birthday Flower
Most people have heard of Birthstones, well the following list is of Birthflowers.
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JANUARY |
JULY
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Colours
There are many different colour traditions and these can be affected by culture, function, application etc. The following is a general rule of thumb in regard to choosing the right coloured flowers to portray the correct sentiment.
You can base your colour choice on traditional associations or scientific choices.
Traditional Colour Choice
These traditional colour choices mainly apply to roses but may also be applied to other flower types.
- Red roses mean romantic love.
- Purple roses signify that the giver has fallen in love with the recipient at first sight.
- Coral and orange roses signal desire.
- Yellow roses are joy and friendship.
- Pink roses express our gratitude and appreciation.
- Light pink roses show feelings of admiration and sympathy.
- Peach is more indefinite, as it can signify either sympathy or gratitude.
- White roses show meaning of reverence and humility.
Scientific Colour Choice
People respond to different colours in different ways, and these responses take place on a subconscious, emotional level. Specific colours have different effects on the human brain:
- Black : self-confidence, power, strength
- Blue : calming, lowers blood pressure
- Green : soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps those suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness
- Violet : provides a peaceful environment
- Pink: relaxes, relieves tension, soothing
- Yellow : energizes, relieves depression,
- Orange : energizes, stimulates
- Red : stimulates brain wave activity, increases heart rate, respirations and blood pressure
Star signs
Aries
- Aries are a Fire Sign which means they are passionate, enthusiastic, adventurous
- Flowers & Plants for an Aries: Opuntia cactus (prickly pear), celosia (cockscomb), thorn-bearing shrubs, red roses, tulips, red peppers, amaryllis
Taurus
- Taurians are Earth Signs which means they are home-loving, conventional, gourmand
- Flowers & Plants for a Taurus: sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), scented stock, fruit-bearing trees, lavender, lilac, aster, lily of the valley, sweet pea
Gemini
- Gemini is an Air Sign and they are talkative, lively, intellectual
- Flowers & Plants for Geminis include: Solanum (Winter cherries), ranunculus, maidenhair fern (Addiantum), solidago (goldenrod), acacia (mimosa, wattle), daffodil, nut-bearing trees, cactus
Cancer
- Cancerians are Water Signs meaning they are secretive, protective, caring
- Flowers & Plants for the Cancerians are: cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), Ammi (Queen Anne's lace), delphinium, ferns, plumbago, passionflower, hydrangea, iris
Leo
- The mighty Leo is a Fire Sign, they are extrovert, faithful, larger than life
- Leo's Flowers & Plants are: safflower (Carthamus), croton, Joseph's coat (Codiaeum), marigold, gerbera, crocosmia, dahlia, clivia, sunflower
Virgo
- Virgo comes under the Earth Sign and they are generally practical, modest, perfectionist
- Virgo Flower& Plant choices include: monkshood (Aconitum), hypericum ( St John's wort), chrysanthemum, eucalyptus, veronica, violet, ivy, thistle
Libra
- Librans are Air Signs, they are elegant, diplomatic, romantic
- Libran Flowers & Plants are: chincherinchee (Ornithogalum), Moluccella (bells of Ireland), Cymbidium orchid, gardenia, tea roses, tuberose, freesia, gladiolus
Scorpio
- The Scorpio is a Water Sign. The Scorpio is sensual, determined, dangerous
- Flowers & Plants for Scorpio include: venus fly trap (Dionaea), Alpinia (pink ginger), Amaranthus (love lies bleeding), red hot poker (Kniphofia), hibiscus, peony, cactus, anthurium
Sagittarius
- Sagittarius is a Fire Sign, they are straightforward, optimistic, playful
- Sagittarian Flowers & Plants include: Eremurus (foxtail lily), eustoma (lisianthus), Liatris (blazing star), carnation, crocus, muscari, berried plants, allium
Capricorn
- Capricorns come under the Earth Sign, they are hard-working, ambitious, respectable
- Capricorn Flowers & Plants are: statice, holly, African violet, ivy, philodendron, kentia palm, snowdrop, jasmine
Aquarius
- The Aquarians fall under the Air Sign they are forward-looking, unconventional, independent
- Aquarian Flowers & Plants include: Eryngium (sea holly), arum lily (Zantedeschia), bird of paradise (Strelitzia), pitcher plant (Sarracenia), banksia, protea, yucca, aloe
Pisces
- Pisceans are Water Signs, they are intuitive, humorous, compassionate
- Flowers & Plants for the Pisces include: madonna lily (Lilium candidum), Euphorbia marginata, Cyperus (papyrus), stephanotis, jasmine, lilac, narcissus, gypsophila
