Our suggestion? Say those three little words with plants. Flowers, like colors and gemstones, have been filling in for expressions of feelings for centuries. We have found five plants with secret meanings of love that are worthy stand-ins for your feelings of love this Valentine’s Day.
Red Roses
Roses are the tops when it comes to the floral language of love, and red roses are the traditional gift to convey one’s romantic love for another. But red roses needn’t be cut stems! A garden-ready red rose plant such as It’s a Breeze© that you can repurpose as a groundcover not only shows your love but also feels like growing a future together.
Camellias
Camellias’ secret meaning is that of love and adoration. Their peony-like blooms, whether single, semi-double, or double-petaled, lend a romantic and nostalgic feel to any garden. Blooming in the late fall and winter when most flowers are spent, camellias can be a quiet symbol of enduring love. And with blooms coming in a range of soft and dark pinks, such as Alabama Beauty™ and Bella Rouge™, you can select a color that reflects your sentiment.
Dianthus
Dianthus, sometimes known as carnations, are the poster plants for joyous, youthful affection. Perennial dianthus such as ColorPop Pickables™ also conveys that affection to the hummingbirds and butterflies in your garden, as these easy-care plants, are beloved by pollinators. And here’s a bonus with ColorPop Pickables™: It’s a match for Viva Magenta, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023.
Gardenias
Need to show your love without anyone having a clue? “Secret love” is the message behind the gardenia flower. Not so secret is the gardenia bloom’s beauty and intoxicating fragrance. Specimens such as compact-growing Jubilation™ and the unique single-blossomed ScentAmazing® certainly don’t hide their feelings.
Hydrangeas
While hydrangea flowers can convey a range of different meanings, the Heart Throb Hydrangea® makes it clear in its name that it’s all about love! Your heart will throb with the beauty of this variety’s dark-red blooms edged with green. This hydrangea demonstrates a remarkable shift over the course of three seasons as its blooms change to green petals edged with red. Perhaps it’s even a metaphor for how love itself transforms with time!
Your landscape will speak the language of love with these five plants used in patio pots, garden beds, and border plantings. Best yet, they’ll speak of love for seasons to come.
