To the Victorians, flowers were more than something pretty that grew in the garden. Flowers had meaning - an entire language, in fact. The first three articles in this section provide an in-depth look at the mysterious "language of flowers" that was immensely popular in the Victorian era. If you wished to communicate your feelings to a lady-friend, or if (as a lady) you wished to convey a somewhat more negative message, you could literally "say it with flowers." Moving beyond that curious dialogue, this section also brings you a number of glimpses into the historic folklore surrounding the flowers of the garden and the field.

Floral Dictionary (The Lady's Book of Flowers and Poetry, 1841)

A Homily Upon Flowers, by W.S. Gaffney (Peterson's, 1856)Some floral symbolism.

The Language of Flowers (Godey's, 1868)

Flowers of Antiquity (Demorest, 1880)

What the Flowers Say, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

On the "language of flowers" -- the meanings represented by different blooms.

The Forget-Me-Not, by T.F. Thiselton Dyer (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

The symbol of friendship, the guide to caverns of treasure, the death of a gallant knight -- this is a busy little flower!

Magic Clovers, by Margaret B. Harvey (St. Nicholas, 1882B)

It isn't just the four-leaved ones that are "lucky"!

Wedding Flowers, by T.F. Thiselton Dyer (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

Lore and legend of the bridal wreath and bouquet.

Our Yuletide Evergreens, by S.F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

The history and lore surrounding the holiday's most popular types of greenery, including the bay, the box-tree, the cypress, the laurel, the holly, and the mistletoe.

Superstitions Concerning Trees (Young People's Scrapbook, 1884)

The Flowers of May, by Elspeth Brooks (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

A somewhat florid account of May's flowers and their lore.

Local Names for Local Flowers, by Darley Dale (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

From "the devil's currycomb" to "cows and calves," a look at some of the curious names for common flowers across Britain.

Flowers in History, by Sophia F.A. Caulfeild (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

A fascinating overview of flower lore across the ages and in many countries.

The Romance of Nature, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

The subtitle says it all: "The Folklore of Animals, Plants, Earth, Air, Sea and Sky."

What Is Myrrh? by the Rev. W. Spiers (Quiver, 1889)

Botanical Name-Words (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

A Garden of Gillyflowers, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1890)

The lore behind the name of this beloved British blossom.

Mustard and Cress (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

A bit of the lore and history of these staples of the British tea table.

Meadow-Sweet, by James Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

This starts as a bit of a folkloric tale, but devolves into a morality lesson.

Rose Legends (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

The Mistletoe, by Sutherland Walker (Home Magazine, 1898)

A bit of the history of this intriguing plant.

An Album of Bible Plants, by Emma Brewer (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

A short list of plants mentioned in the Bible, and their natures.

Saints' Flowers, by M. Church (Good Words, 1902)