Meaningful Flowers

Texas native and gardening enthusiast Henry Dafler says he'd never give his wife Janet flowers just to escape the proverbial doghouse.

"She'd see through the attempt at manipulation too easily to make the effort worthwhile," says Dafler, a Houston resident with a penchant for doling out "sunny" flowers such as daisies and mums at unpredictable moments. "She's one of those romantic-souled women for whom flowers are a gift of love," he says of his wife. "So they're my way of saying I'm thinking of her and that she's important to me."

While many people like Dafler attach their own meanings -- whether it's cards that say "I love you" or sheepish apologies for being late -- to the simple act of giving treasured people in our lives bouquets, flowers have a language of their own. After all, their sweet aromas, delicate petals and vibrant colors have enchanted people so much that they've attached significant meanings to them for centuries.

In Victorian-era England, flowers were today's version of "whispering sweet nothings," permitting lovers to tell each other things that were considered risqué in a prim and proper society. These days, they're anything from Valentine's Day gifts, to fragrant "Get Well" behests, vibrant "Thank Yous", and somber funeral laments.

So before you present your sweetheart with a rosy arrangement, consider the meaning of the following handful of popular blooms:

• Roses -- Wildly popular on February 14, it's no secret that roses are all about love. Just know that the degree of love will be signaled by the color you send. Deep red roses signal true love, while white roses valiantly proclaim "I am worthy of you." Meanwhile white rosebuds indicate girlhood, while red ones signal purity and loveliness. A blend of red and white rosebuds means unity, while a cabbage rose stands for "ambassador of love." Flirts should consider blush-colored roses -- after all, they say "I'm available."

• Daisies -- Perhaps Dafler is trying to send his wife the signal that theirs is an innocent love when he brings an armful of these home, because that's the message the delicate white petals send.

• Forget-Me-Nots -- The meaning is obvious, making this bud an ideal selection for a longtime friend you'll never forget.

• Tulips -- These vibrantly colored flowers were once a symbol of the Turkish Empire. It's little wonder, after all, the tulip stands for fame. Even today they're a pretty potent symbol in the country, cropping up in the form of delicate, tulip-shaped glass teacups.

• Camellias -- A popular sight in the Southeast, these flowers mean different things, depending on their color; red camellias symbolize "beauty", while white ones mean "worthiness."

• Daffodils -- If a knight in shining armor gets the door for you, picks up the tab or does some other sort of chivalrous deed, it wouldn't hurt to give him a yellow daffodil or two to let him know just how "gallant" you think he is.

One final note: While a well-considered arrangement sends just the right message, beware: handing over the bouquet in the wrong hand sends a signal too. Hold a flower in your right hand and you'll be telling your recipient "yes." Hold it in the left hand and you might get slapped for telling them "no."

And if you're Janet Dafler and your husband brings home some daisies, be sure to return the favor with a mixture of lilies of the valley and ferns. That way he'll know his "unconscious sweetness has fascinated her."