How to Put Together a Meaningful Mother's Day Bouquet

Florigraphy is the use of special meanings ascribed to just about any flower or plant to create one-of-a-kind floral messages.

Lady Mary Wortley Montaque wrote in 1717, "There is no color, no flower, no weed, no fruit, herb, pebble or feather that has not a verse belonging to it, and you may quarrel, reproach or send letters of passion, friendship or civility, or even of news, without even inking your fingers." In 1818, Charlotte de la Tour published "Le Langage des Fleurs" (The Language of Flowers). It was so popular that it went into eighteen editions. Over 150 "flower dictionaries" have been written since the first one appeared.

Don't forget that what makes every gift of flora unique is filling out the arrangement or bouquet with flowers or plants specific to your message or to the receiver's personality.

Below are some plants and flowers particular to mothers that you might want to begin with, listed according to the plant's common name and followed by it's meaning:

Cinquefoil: For my Mother, with love.

Moss: You are a symbol of maternal love.

American Starwort: Age has not dulled your sense of humor.

Wood sorrel: You are all the joy and tenderness of motherhood.

Clematis: This is an expression of filial love.

You'll want to add some personal touches, particular to your mom.. For example, to tell your mother how much happiness she's given you, try Saffron Crocus ("You make me laugh"), Cinerama ("You are always so bright and cheerful") or Chrysanthemum ("Cheerfulness"). Depending on her outstanding qualities or attributes, you might add Mint ("Your virtue is admirable"), Delphinium ("You are heavenly") or Chamomile ("I admire your courage"). Azaleas mean "I love your temperate nature", Apple Blossoms are "You are as good as you are lovely" and Pinks mean "No matter what the years may bring, your beauty never dies". Angelica stands for "Your love is my guiding star", Purple Pansy is "Thoughts of happy days with you are my greatest treasure", and "You have a gentle goodness" is represented by Strawberry-scented Geraniums.

Remember that in florigraphy, the number of blooms as well as their color is important. An even number of flowers mean sadness while an odd number means joy and happiness. In floral messages, white usually means chastity, purity and virtue, green is for hope, blue indicates belief or faith, red represents love and passion, while yellow means jealousy.

After you've chosen the sentiments you wish to use, make one your central theme. Then surround that flower with concentric rows of flowers for other sentiments. Add "fillers", like Mint, Currants or Baby's Breath ("This is a festive occasion"). For example, your central flower might be a red Rose, which means "For love and wisdom", surrounded by Angelica, then Geraniums, Wood Sorrel, Mint and Saffron Crocus. The meanings you've put together are:

Red rose: For love and wisdom.

Angelica: Your love is my guiding star.

Strawberry scented geraniums: You have a gentle goodness.

Wood sorrel: You are all the joy and tenderness of mother hood.

Mint: You virtue is admirable.

Saffron crocus: You make me laugh.

Once you've put together your arrangement, add a heartfelt note. This is not as difficult as it sounds. All you have to do is link the meanings of the blossoms you've chosen. For the bouquet above, your note might read:

"You are all the joy and tenderness of Motherhood,
Your virtue is admirable and you have a gentle goodness.
Your Love is my guiding star and you make me laugh.
For all these things and more, I love you.
Happy Mother's Day!

For more flower definitions and meanings, check out books, like "The Language of Flowers", or websites, like Vangelis.com or florigraphy.com.

Give your mother not only a beautiful floral arrangement this Mother's Day, but a heartfelt sentiment to go with them that she'll never forget.