What flowers symbolise, colour by colour and bloom by bloom — and how to use that when you are choosing what to send.
November's birth flower is the chrysanthemum: a symbol of friendship and cheer in Canada, of long life in Asia, and of mourning in much of Europe. Here's what it means, colour by colour, and how to give one for a November birthday without sending the wrong message.
February's birth flowers are the violet, a symbol of modesty and faithfulness, and the primrose, the flower of young love. Neither travels well as a cut flower, so here's what they mean and how to build a February birthday bouquet around their purple and yellow.
Hydrangeas mean gratitude, heartfelt emotion, understanding and abundance, with each colour adding its own message. Here's what blue, pink, white and purple hydrangeas say, why soil can change their colour, and how to keep a cut hydrangea from wilting.
Irises mean faith, hope, wisdom and valour, and their name comes from the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Here's what each iris colour says, including the purple iris meaning, why the blue flag iris is Quebec's floral emblem, and when to send irises.
Orchids mean love, luxury, strength and refinement, and few flowers have a richer history. Here's what each orchid colour says, including the purple orchid meaning, how the common types differ, and when an orchid makes the right gift.
Tulips mean perfect love, cheerful thoughts and the fresh start of spring, and each colour adds its own message. Here's what red, yellow, pink, white and purple tulips say, and the wartime story behind Canada's own tulip festival.
Sunflowers mean adoration, loyalty, happiness and warmth, a meaning that comes from the way young sunflowers follow the sun. Here's where sunflower symbolism comes from, what the colours say, and when a bunch of sunflowers is the right gift.
Cherry blossoms stand for renewal, beauty and the brief, precious nature of life, a meaning shaped over centuries in Japan. Here's what sakura symbolize, where to see them in Canada, and which flowers a florist can send to capture the same look.
October's birth flowers are the marigold, a warm symbol of creativity and remembrance, and the cosmos, a flower of harmony and peace. Here's what both mean, why you won't find either in a florist's cooler, and how to send an October birthday bouquet in their colours.
September's birth flowers are the aster, a star-shaped symbol of love, patience and wisdom, and the morning glory, a flower of affection that opens for just one morning. Here's what both mean and how to send a September birthday bouquet built around asters.
August's birth flowers are the gladiolus, a tall sword-shaped spike that stands for strength of character, and the poppy, Canada's flower of remembrance. Here's what both mean, colour by colour, and what to send for an August birthday when poppies won't last the trip.
July's birth flowers are the larkspur, a tall spike of blue and purple that stands for an open heart, and the water lily, a symbol of peace and rebirth. Here's what both mean and how to send a July birthday bouquet when one of them can't leave the pond.
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