Flowers Meaning

Gladiolus

GLADIOLUS

Named for the shape of their leaves, gladioli from the Latin word "gladius," meaning sword have a
history than spans from Africa to the Mediterranean. Symbolizing strength and moral integrity.

Heather

HEATHER

Heather's scientific name, "Calluna vulgaris," comes from the Greek "Kallune," meaning "to clean or
brush," and the Latin "vulgaris," meaning "common," as heather twigs were once used for making
brooms.

Hyacinth

HYACINTH

Legend has it the origin of hyacinth, the highly fragrant, bell-shaped flower, can be traced back to a
young Greek boy named Hyakinthos.

Hydrangea

HYDRANGEA

First discovered in Japan, the name hydrangea comes from the Greek "hydor," meaning water, and
"angos," meaning jar or vessel. This roughly translates to "water barrel," referring to the hydrangea's
need for plenty of water.

Iris

IRIS

The iris's mythology dates back to Ancient Greece, when the goddess Iris, who personified the rainbow
(the Greek word for iris), acted as the link between heaven and earth.

Lilac

LILAC
The story of lilac, according to Greek mythology, begins with a beautiful nymph named Syringa (lilac's
botanical name). Captivated by her beauty, Pan, the god of the forests and fields, chased Syringa.

Lily

LILY

Dating as far back as 1580 B.C., when images of lilies were discovered in a villa in Crete, these majestic
flowers have long held a role in ancient mythology. Derived from the Greek word "leiron."

Lisianthus

LISIANTHUS

With a host of names from Texas Bluebell to Prairie Gentian to Lira de San Pedro - lisianthus symbolize
an outgoing nature. Native to Texas and Mexico, and descended from a North American wildflower.

Orchid

ORCHID

The most highly coveted of ornamental plants, the delicate, exotic and graceful orchid represents love,
luxury, beauty and strength. In ancient Greece, orchids were associated with virility.

Peony

PEONY

With a recorded history that dates back thousands of years, it's not surprising that even the mythology
surrounding the origin of the peony has multiple versions.

Poinsettia

POINSETTIA

It's said that poinsettias' association with Christmas comes from a Mexican legend. The story goes that a
child, with no means for a grander gift, gathered humble weeds from the side of the road to place at the
church alter on Christmas Eve and the weeds turned into brilliant red and green flowers.
Protea

PROTEA

Among the oldest families of flowers on earth, dating back 300 million years, Greek legend tells us that
protea were named after Proteus, the son of Poseidon.

Queen Anne's Lace

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE

Legend has it that Queen Anne, the wife of King James I, was challenged by her friends to create lace as
beautiful as a flower. While making the lace, she pricked her finger.