Flowers

When a Victorian suitor wished to declare his love he often used flowers, rather than words, to express his feelings to his beloved. This charming custom was popular through-out the 19th century and carried over into the twentieth.

Here are a few flowers showing specific meanings that would have been known to people who sent and received them in the 19th early 20th centuries:

Anemone (Forsaken)
Apple Blossom (Preference)
Bachelors Buttons (Celibacy)
Buttercup (Ingratitude, Childishness)
Carnation, deep red (My poor heart)
Chrysanthemum, Red (I Love)
Chrysanthemum, White (Truth)
Clematis (Mental Beauty)
Daisy (Innocence)
Fern (Fascination)
French Marigold (Jealousy)
Hollyhock (Ambition)
Hyacinth (Sport, play)
Peony (Shame, Bashfulness)
Primrose, Evening (Inconstancy)
Rose (Love)
Rose, Cabbage (Ambassador of Love)
Rose, Multi-flora (Grace)
Rose, White (I am worthy of you)
Rose, Yellow (Decrease of Love, jealousy)
Violet, Blue (Faithfulness)
Water Lily (Purity of heart)
Rose, Christmas (Tranquilize my anxiety)