When we buy flowers as a gift, whether it’s for a mother, a lover, a patient, a neighbor, or a teacher, we always stand there in awe, in front of dozens of species and colors, never knowing what to buy, opting for a “nice” arrangement. But what if we knew exactly what we wanted? Wouldn’t that be amazing? Never settle for “nice” when you can do a lot better. Here is a guide to help you decide on which flowers to buy.

• Alstroemeria: wealth, prosperity, fortune, and friendship.
• Amaryllis: splendid beauty
• Anemone: fading hope, anticipation.
• Anthurium: hospitality, happiness, abundance.
• Aster: patience, love of variety, elegance, daintiness.
• Bird of Paradise: joyfulness, magnificence, exciting, wonderful anticipation.
• Bouvardia Double: enthusiasm, zest for life.
• Calla Lily: magnificence, beauty. White Calla lilies combine these two attributes with purity and innocence making it the perfect choice of flower in a Wedding bouquet.
• Carnation: pride and beauty.

1. Red carnation: love, pride, admiration.
2. Pink carnation: love of a woman or a mother.
3. Purple carnation: capriciousness
4. Yellow carnation: disdain, rejection, disappointment.
5. White carnation: innocence, pure love.
6. Striped carnation: refusal.

• Chrysanthemum: fidelity, optimism, joy, long life.

1. Red chrysanthemum: love.
2. White chrysanthemum: truth, loyal love.
3. Yellow chrysanthemum: slighted love.

• Daffodil: Regard, chivalry, rebirth, new beginnings, eternal life, unrequited love. A single daffodil foretells a misfortune while a bunch of daffodils indicate joy and happiness.
• Daisy: innocence, purity, loyal love.
• Delphinium: big-heartedness, fun, lightness, levity, ardent attachment.
• Freesia: innocence, thoughtfulness.
• Gardenia: purity, sweetness, secret love, joy.
• Gerbera Daisy: cheerfulness.
• Gladiolus: strength of character, faithfulness and honor. The Gladiolus flower signifies remembrance.
• Heather Lavender: admiration, solitude, beauty. White heather: protection, wishes will come true.
• Hyacinth: playfulness, sporty attitude, constancy.

1. Blue hyacinth: constancy.
2. Purple hyacinth: sorrow.
3. Red/pink hyacinth: play.
4. White hyacinth: loveliness.
5. Yellow hyacinth: jealousy.

• Hydrangea: heartfelt emotions, gratitude for being understood, frigidity, heartlessness.
• Iris: eloquence.

1. Purple iris: wisdom, compliments.
2. Blue iris: faith, hope.
3. Yellow iris: passion.
4. White iris: purity.

• Larkspur: levity, lightness, fickleness, haughtiness.
• Lilac: youthful innocence, confidence.

1. White lilac: humility, innocence.
2. Purple lilac: first love.

• Lily: purity, refined beauty.

1. White lily: modesty, virginity.
2. Orange lily: passion.
3. Yellow lily: gaiety.

• Orchid: exotic beauty, refinement, thoughtfulness, mature charm, glorious femininity.
• Peony: bashfulness, compassion, indignation, shame, happy life, happy marriage, good health, prosperity.
• Protea: change, transformation, daring, resourcefulness, diversity, courage.
• Queen Anne’s Lace: haven, sanctuary, complexity, delicateness.
• Ranunculus: radiant charm.
• Rose: love.
• Snapdragon: graciousness, strength, deception, presumption.
• Statice: remembrance, sympathy, success.
• Stock: lasting beauty, happy life, bonds of affection, promptness.
• Sunflower: pure thoughts, adoration, dedication, dedicated love, haughtiness.
• Sweet Pea: delicate pleasure, bliss.