Heather Staible, Contributing Writer

Roses, carnations and tulips are usual Valentine’s Day floral fare, but garlic and grass are two of the lesser-known offerings.

During the Victorian era, flowers were used as means to communicate with suitors. Love, kindness and interest were conveyed in a bouquet of flowers, pinned to a woman’s clothing or held as she walked.

Although the red rose will always say ‘I love you’ to the person who receives it, 19 percent of modern-day women tend to buy flowers for themselves.

“Women are in touch with themselves and they will buy themselves flowers, or they will buy flowers for their mothers, sisters and friends,” said Jenny Sparks, director of consumer marketing for the Society of American Florists.

Sparks said that the language of flowers is less important today than it used to be.

“The red rose still signifies love, but today people buy flowers based on a special event or moment. And besides, flowers make people happy.”

TYPE OF FLOWER

MEANINGAcacia

Concealed Love, Beauty in Retirement, Chaste LoveAzalea

Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese Symbol of WomanhoodBouquet of Withered Flowers

Rejected LoveCarnation (General)

Fascination, Women LoveCarnation (Pink)

I’ll Never Forget YouCarnation (Red)

My Heart Aches For You, AdmirationCarnation (Purple)

CapriciousnessCarnation (Solid Color)

YesCarnation (Striped)

No, Refusal, Sorry I Can’t Be With You, Wish I Could Be With YouCarnation (White)

Sweet and Lovely, Innocence, Pure Love, Woman’s Good Luck GiftDaffodil

Faithfulness, HappinessDead Leaves

SadnessForget-Me-Not

True Love, MemoriesGarlic

Courage, StrengthGeranium

Stupidity, FollyGrass

SubmissionLily (Calla)

BeautyMagnolia

NobilityOrchid

Love, Beauty, Refinement, Beautiful Lady, Chinese Symbol for Many ChildrenRose (Bridal)

Happy LoveRose (Pink)

Perfect Happiness, Please Believe MeRose (Red)

Love, I Love YouRose (Tea)

I’ll Remember AlwaysRose (Thornless)

Love at First SightRose (White)

Innocence and Purity, I am Worthy of You, You’re Heavenly, Secrecy and SilenceRose (White and Red Mixed)

Unity, Flower Emblem of EnglandRose (Yellow)

Decrease of Love, Jealousy, Try to CareRoses (Bouquet of Mature Blooms)

GratitudeSweetpea

Good-bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure, Thank You for a Lovely TimeTulip (General)

Perfect Lover, Fame, Flower Emblem of HollandTulip (Red)

Believe Me, Declaration of LoveViolet

Modesty