Are you familiar with the language of flowers? Different flowers have different meanings and their color can also affect their meaning!
One day when I was working at my flower shop in Illinois, a young customer came in and asked us if we knew which flower everyone has on their face. We were a bit perplexed until she smiled and shouted out “Tulips” (two lips, get it?) I thought of that story this week when I was thinking of a catchy title for this post!
With Valentine’s Day a little more than a month away, I thought this was the perfect time to talk about the popular flower choices and the meaning or symbolism behind the flowers and herbs that are used in bouquets. Today’s post will focus on tulips and the meanings behind the various colors.
Based on my experience, men think women prefer receiving red roses at Valentine’s Day. While roses are indeed a popular choice, most of my female customer actually preferred something different, like tulips or roses that were any color but red!
Why Tulips?
Tulips may look like they are fragile, but they are actually quite easy to care for and are long lasting! By changing the water frequently, keeping them out of the bright sun and adding a packet of flower food, cut tulips can last up to 10 days! Trim the stems and change the water every few days. These tips apply to all cut flowers, not just tulips! Changing the water and adding flower food really helps the fresh flower bouqets last longer!
Did you know tulips are the only flower that continues to grow in height after it has been cut? Tulips are particularly sensitive to the plant hormone, auxin. This sensitivity allows the stems to elongate and also to grow towards the light. It can be fun to watch how the arrangement changes the longer it is in your home.
The Language or Symbolism of Tulips
In this post, Tussie Mussies and the Language of Flowers I shared a brief introduction into the language of herbs and flowers. Studying the meanings behind the different flowers and herbs can be a fun way to add something different to your typical floral gift! If you want to try using the language of flowers to help convey how you feel about the recipient, be sure to include a note along with the flowers to help them decode the message!
In general, the tulip represents perfect or deep love. During the Victorian age, floriography or the language of flowers really gained in popularity. Victorians used tulips to signify charity.
Similar to birth stones where each month has a different kind of jewel representing it, each wedding anniversary also has a flower associated with it. Tulips are the flower for the 11th wedding anniversary.
Tulips also symbolize rebirth since they are one of the first flowers to bloom in the Spring.
How Color Affects the Meaning of the Tulip
The color of the tulip does change the meaning of the tulip. Tulips come in 6 basic colors. There are variegated tulips also that combine two colors. Today, we will concentrate on the meanings behind the 6 basic solid colors of tulips.
Red Tulips
The color red and feelings of love and romance are often tied together. Red tulips can be used in a bouquet to symbolize passionate love and romance.
A Bouquet of White & Yellow Tulips
The color yellow is used to represent cheerfulness, joy and sunshine. Few things are more elegant than a simple white tulip. The color white symbolizes purity which is why brides traditionally wear white dresses.
White Tulips can also be used to represent respect and thankfulness.
Purple Tulips
Purple tulips are associated with grace and elegance. The color purple has long been associated with royalty.
The picture doesn’t really show how pretty these tulips are. It was the closest I had to a picture of purple tulips by themselves! These are a more pinkly purple. All of the details about how I tied them together to display in the oval dough bowl can be found here: An Understated, Yet Beautiful Way to Decorate Your Dough Bowl For Spring
This bulb garden in a basket combines purple tulips, orange star of bethlehem and hot pink kalanchoe. This would make a perfect gift for your garden loving Valentine!
Pink Tulips
Pink tulips symbolize that you care for and have feelings of affection for someone. I found these cute pink resin tulip ornaments and “planted” them in a sugar mold. To see how I made my garden “grow”, please visit this post ;”Wooden” These Tulips Be Cute For Spring!
Orange Tulips
Orange tulips can be used to represent a sense of understanding. They can also be used to represent appreciation.
Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the meaning behind the various colors of tulips!
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I always enjoy your ‘flower’ posts. Tulips are so elegant!
Thank you , Linda! I can’t wait to get some new potted tulips for the season!