The Secret Language of Flowers (And How We Use It Lightly)

A Little Guide to Thoughtful Gifting, Without the Fluff

Flowers have always had a lot to say.

Back in the Victorian era, people used them to pass covert messages across ballroom floors. You could say “I admire you,” “I’m sorry,” or “Please leave me alone forever” just by holding a sprig of basil or a wilting carnation at the right angle. Books were written about it. It was a whole thing.

Fast forward to now, and while we might not be quite so formal about it, the idea that flowers can express emotion without words still rings true. They brighten hospital rooms. They soften apologies. They turn a regular Tuesday into something better. They say “I love you,” “I’m proud of you,” “I saw this and thought of you”—and sometimes all of that at once.

So yes, flowers still speak. But around here, we don’t expect them to recite poetry. We’re more into honest, heartfelt gestures than decoding daffodils. Let’s get into it.

1. Flowers Have Always Meant Something

There’s something enduring about the idea that every flower holds a message. Whether it’s roses for romance or chrysanthemums for sympathy, there’s a whole language built around blooms.

You’ve probably got one friend who knows it all. The one who insists that marigolds mean grief, or that you should never send yellow roses unless you’re trying to break up (spoiler: we disagree).

At Little Flowers, we think it’s lovely that people care about symbolism. But we also think it’s okay if you don’t.

2. Do We Believe in All That? Sort Of.

We like to think of flower meaning as more of a feeling than a formula. You don’t need a PhD in floriography to know that some blooms carry more emotional punch than others.

We see it every day—in the bunches people send, the notes they write, the messages we hand over with each delivery. Some flowers just feel like a hug. Or a gentle nudge. Or a happy scream with confetti.

So while we don’t stick to any strict flower dictionary, we’ve noticed a few patterns. Certain blooms get chosen for specific vibes, time and again. And honestly? It’s kind of beautiful.

3. Some Flowers Just Feel Like Something

SUNFLOWERS

There’s something about sunflowers that just cuts through the gloom. Maybe it’s their unapologetic size. Maybe it’s the colour—loud, warm, totally unsubtle. Or maybe it’s the fact that they seem to look right at you. Whatever it is, these are the flowers people reach for when someone needs a boost. We see it every time the skies go grey—literally and emotionally. Orders for sunflowers pick up on rainy days, Sundays (those pre-Monday blues are real), and Mondays themselves, when a little bit of boldness can go a long way.

They’re also a go-to for sending to men—partly because they don’t feel overly fancy or frilly, but also because they’re just… solid. Strong stems, bright faces, no fluff. They suit a “thinking of you” message just as well as a “hang in there” or a “you’re smashing it.” Sunflowers are kind of like a mate who turns up with snacks and good energy and tells you everything’s going to be fine. And honestly? That’s a pretty good thing to be.

Sunflowers: A bright, bold choice—especially popular on grey days and Mondays.

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PEONIES

Peonies are the flowers people wait for. They’re seasonal, fleeting, and absolutely worth the hype. We see it every year—the second they start appearing at the flower market, the anticipation kicks in. Customers don’t just like peonies; they love them, talk about them, track their return. They’ll write notes like “I know you love these as much as I do” or “You deserve these—because obviously.” There’s something generous and slightly luxurious about them, but they’re also deeply shared. That’s what makes them feel special.

They’re especially popular among women sending to women—best mates, sisters, mums, colleagues. There’s no need for an official occasion. Just the joy of saying, I know what you love, and I wanted you to have it. Peonies get sent to celebrate the end of a tough week or just because someone needed a reminder that beautiful things still exist. And yes, sometimes they’re self-gifted—because when your favourite flower is in season, why wouldn’t you? They’re softness and strength in one bunch. A treat, a tribute, and a little high-five wrapped in petals.

Peonies: Equal parts beauty and backbone. Often sent from one woman to another, just because.

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LILIES

Lilies don’t whisper. They announce. Big, bold and full of drama—in the best way—they’re the kind of flower that walks into a room and immediately becomes the main character. We’ve noticed they tend to be sent with big energy and even bigger messages. Things like “YOU. ARE. AWESOME.” or “CONGRATS ON THE PROMOTION!” or, memorably, “DON’T FORGET IT’S BIN DAY.” (Important vibes come in many forms.) If you’ve got something to say and you want it heard, lilies are your wingman.

They also last ages, which adds to their whole confident, look-at-me energy. Customers often choose them when they want something that makes an impact and sticks around for a while—something that won’t wilt at the first sign of a heatwave. And while some people love them for the fragrance alone, others love them for the sheer presence. Lilies don’t fade into the background, and maybe that’s the point. If your message needs to land with emphasis, these are your flowers.

Lilies: Big blooms for big feelings and all-caps messages.

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JONQUILS

Not every bunch needs to shout. Jonquils are the soft-spoken type—the kind you send when you want to say, “I’m thinking of you,” or “Hope today’s a bit better,” without making a big deal about it. They’ve got this lovely, sweet scent that fills a room quietly. You don’t notice it right away—but then it’s just there, doing its thing, lifting the mood.

They’re often sent with shorter, more tender notes. Less punctuation, more pauses. No all-caps declarations—just kindness, lightly delivered. We see them go out a lot for those in-between moments: when something’s shifted, but there’s nothing official to name it. A weird week. A tired friend. A bit of a wobble. Jonquils are the bouquet equivalent of checking in with someone, just because. And we think that kind of small gesture? It matters.

Jonquils: Quiet charmers for ‘thinking of you’ moments.

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BLOSSOM

Blossom doesn’t stick around for long, and maybe that’s why it hits so hard. One day there’s a bare branch, the next it’s bursting with soft pink or white flowers, and suddenly everything feels lighter. In Sydney, blossom season arrives just as winter starts to lose its grip. The mornings are still cool, but the sun’s lingering longer. There’s a feeling in the air—summer’s coming, and so is everything that goes with it.

People send blossom when they want to mark a fresh start. A new chapter. A “you’ve got this.” It’s a quiet celebration of change—not the loud kind with balloons and speeches, but the kind you feel deep in your chest. The return of light, warmth, and possibility. It’s the flower version of opening the windows, making plans, and feeling like maybe the best bits of the year are still to come.

Blossom: The floral version of opening the windows and making plans.

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4. It’s the Feeling That Matters

You don’t need to know what every bloom “officially” means to send the right flowers.

Some of the most memorable bunches we’ve delivered didn’t follow tradition—they followed instinct. A burst of yellow to break the Sunday blues. A few soft petals sent with a single line: “Just thinking of you.”

That’s the kind of gifting we believe in. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be honest.

That’s why we keep things simple. One beautiful bouquet each day, built around the best blooms we can find. No overthinking. No cluttered catalogue. Just one thing, done well.

And if you want to send a specific flower—a peony, a bunch of jonquils, something in season and stunning—our Seasonal Specials are for you. Or if you want the joy to keep coming (without lifting a finger), our subscriptions have your back.

However you do it, we think flowers are best when they’re sent with feeling. 
No fluff required.

A bold, joyful bunch—perfect for sending a little bit of everything.

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