Have you ever received all yellow flowers for Valentine’s Day? I have, and that boy has not heard from me ever since. Kidding! Although my friends did laugh when they saw it on Instagram because they said yellow flowers symbolized friendship.

Boys, you do NOT want to make that mistake! (Though to be honest, buttercup yellow roses are gorgeous, so I kind of forgave him).

Different kinds and colors of flowers have their own meaning. Here we list them out so you can have a read up before February 14 and choose the right flowers for Valentine’s Day! 

FLOWER COLORS + THEIR MEANINGS

RED

You can never go wrong with red – the Valentine’s Day classic! Red is, as many would know, the color of love, romance and passion. A lesser-known symbol of the color red is courage, respect and admiration.  

WHITE

White is traditionally used in bridal bouquets or memorial services. The meaning of white flower include purity, innocence, gentleness, for bridal bouquet, and on the other hand, sympathy for a bereavement.

PINK 

Like red, pink is also a very romantic color. It exudes grace, innocence, gentleness, love and happiness. Perfect for a Valentine’s or Mother’s Day.

PURPLE

The Fleur Deux

The color purple is commonly said to symbolize dignity, pride, success, admiration, and royalty. Great for a graduation bouquet or to celebrate any accomplishment of your loved ones.

BLUE

Blue flowers are associated with peace, tranquillity, openness, and serenity. Floral arrangements filled with blue flowers can offer serenity to anxiousness, and help people release any stress or negative feelings.

YELLOW

The color yellow symbolizes joy and light-heartedness and is the ideal color for symbolizing friendship and new beginnings.

With their bright hue and cheerful personality, yellow flowers can be sent to make someone’s day better or increase the positive energy in a room. (Check out our feng shui write up for more information) .

ORANGE 

Orange flowers represent boldness, warmth, and happiness. An orange bouquet is full of life, and the color can evoke passion and energy.

GREEN

Green flowers symbolize spring, the season of youthfulness and renewal. Green flowers also send a message of good fortune and good health.

PEACH

Peach symbolizes modesty, innocence, and purity.

Businessmen often send clients a bouquet of peach roses to clients to celebrate closing a deal, and peach bouquets also make great gifts for hosts as a token of gratitude from houseguests.

TYPES OF FLOWERS + THEIR MEANINGS

ROSES

“O my Luve is like a red, red rose”. Rose is the for sure the ultimate classic symbol of love and passion, and a red rose is an unmistakable expression of love.

Note, though, that blue roses symbolize the desire for the unattainable, of "I can't have you but I can't stop thinking about you". Black roses are the color of death and farewell.  Sending black roses to someone indicates the death of the relationship.

We recommend red roses for Valentine’s Day, though a bouquet of red, pink, lavender and orange, would also be appropriate. 

TULIPS

Tulip is also a symbol of love. While the rose is more often sent to lovers, tulips can be sent to both lovers family members, usually red tulips for lovers and other colors for family, as tulips also represent enduring love. Some people may prefer tulips as they are more easy-going and do not give the impression of trying too hard. They are like a favorite pair of jeans or your grandma’s fresh-baked cookies -- tulips express genuine coziness and comfort. As a quote from Marianne Williamson goes “A tulip doesn’t strive to impress anyone. It doesn’t struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn’t have to. It is different”.

ORCHIDS 

Orchids are symbols of fertility, elegance, luxury and strength. An orchid bouquet would be perfect for a mother who had just given birth. In China, orchids are regarded as emblems of integrity, as Confucius said “The orchids grow in the woods and they let out their fragrance even if there is no one around to appreciate it. Likewise, men of noble character will not let poverty deter their will to be guided by high principles and morals.” 

SUNFLOWERS

Since sunflowers stand in full bloom for months on end during the hottest days of summer, they symbolize long life. The strong and upright stem represent loyalty and strong bond between family and friends, as well as feelings of adoration and admiration. Sunflower faces the sun, and this can symbolize strength and positivity as well as nourishment. In Chinese culture, sunflower also represents good luck and lasting happiness.

HYDRANGEAS

Hydrangeas represent heartfelt gratitude, while pink hydrangeas are also linked with romance. Hydrangeas are also associated with apologies, as according to a Japanese legend, a king sent hydrangeas to his lover’s family to apologize for neglecting her over business matters. 

LILIES

Lilies are often associated with funerals as they symbolize sympathy, humility, and rebirth. White lilies symbolize the beauty of youth, chastity, and virtue. Lilies are also associated with friendship.

PEONIES

Peonies are mainly known for honor, wealth, riches, as well as romance. The peony is important in Chinese culture as it is an official emblem of China, and it plays a big role in many holidays and religious traditions. In Eastern culture, the peony is tied in with the concepts such as royalty and honor. However, in Western culture, it is a symbol of bashfulness. In Greek myth, nymphs used to hide their naked forms in Peonies to shield them from prying eyes.

Ordering Valentine’s Day flowers in Hong Kong has never been easier, browse the collection here and order early so you don't get in trouble this year! Check out our flower care guide to find out how to keep your cut flowers alive for as long as possible after the big day too.