Species There are countless books and websites with detailed examinations of the meaning of almost every flower available. Listed here are some of the flowers that are most commonly linked with love:

Ambrosia: reciprocated love

Baby's Breath: innocence

Delphinium: an ardent lover, representation of eager affection

Forget-me-not: Faithful love, an unforgettable lover

Gardenia: secret or beautiful love, a destined love

Hyacinth (purple): asking for forgiveness

Ivy: Celtic symbol of fidelity and wedded love, particularly when accompanied by oak.

Jasmine: amiability

Jonquil: returned affection, love, desire

Lavender: loyalty

Myrtle: Hebrew symbol of marriage, suggests eternal loyalty

Orchid: beauty and refinement. A Chinese symbol of fecundity and happy togetherness.

Primrose: an admission of complete love and surrender'I can't live without you.'

Sunflower: pride and happiness

Tulip: Declaration of love and honesty.

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January - Carnation Red carnations show admiration and pinks profess the thought 'I will never forget you.' White means sweet love, but purple indicates fickleness and yellow is a herald for disdain. As a flower, the carnation simply means a fascinated love.

February - Violet Simplicity and demureness. They can also be seen as a promise of faithfulness.

March - Daffodil Symbol of high regard and respect. Also known as the flower of chivalry.

April - Sweet pea The flower of happiness and bliss, often associated with delightful outings and innocently lavish pleasures (such as picnics)

May - Lily of the Valley A flower for a particularly sweet, quiet, innately graceful woman. The first of these flowers were said to have sprung from the first tears of Eve when God expelled Adam and Eve from Eden.

June - Rose Love, loyalty and friendship. The colours of roses are identical in meaning to the list of colours given above.

July - Larkspur Offers an open heart with no conditions or secrets. A bunch purple Larkspur can mean a first true love, or the new beginnings of an old love.

August - Gladiolus An assertion of sincerity, as a recognition of a bold or strong person or as a demonstration of bold and fierce love.

September - Asters Asters suggest a dainty or graceful lover, and undying love. The name comes from the Latin word for 'star,' because it was believed that the smoke from the burning plant would drive away evil.

October - Calendula The calendula indicates joy, gracefulness and contentment. This flower also denotes a lover who is ambitious and successful as a recognition of their general success.

November - Chrysanthemum Red chrysanthemums indicate true love, while white chrysanthemums represent honesty in love. As a symbol, the flower represents optimism and hope

December - Narcissus Pride and boldness, is a very formal flower which denotes an almost aloof expression of interest and affection.