A Flower’s Purpose

Flowers hold a huge amount of significance across the globe, culturally we use them as a way to express emotion and meaning.

Festivals, National Days, ceremonial and cultural moments. Big life events like weddings, anniversaries and funerals. To every day gestures such as leaving a job, moving home and saying sorry. They are a dialogue that helps us communicate.

Flowers speak a subtle language, sometimes helping us convey words we can’t often find ourselves. Nuanced emotions, hidden affections. ‘Floriography’ is a type of language used by the Victorians to send secret messages in an era of repressed expression. Sweet Peas gestured being grateful for a lovely time. And Zinnia’s showed everlasting friendship.

Image credit: A Flower, Hand of Georgia O’Keeffe - Margrethe Mather 1925

We have of course created some real icons, the red rose is forever in our minds as an expression of passion and romance. To the modest daffodil, a symbol of hope for so many, signifying the beginning of Spring and of course, a national flower for the Welsh.

In today’s world flowers are less cryptic, but still potent. We’ll likely always use them for traditional means, but we appreciate they’re impact more as part of everyday life. The pleasure they bring to us as individuals for no reason whatsoever other than pure enjoyment, brightening the space we’re in.

Image credit: Amongst the Daisies - Edwin Smith 1939

There is a real importance in seasonal flowers, in a world where everything is now so available. Amid algorithm driven trends and mass produced gifts, as people we crave intention. Seasonal flowers anchor us to nature’s timeline. Making these small or big gestures feel alive, timely and intentional.

Using a flower or some foliage that is in it’s most natural prime, is a luxury. They’re rarer, more precious. A just picked Sweet Pea in May feels like a secret shared. The fleeting blossom in March speaks to the present moment.

Hero image credit: Mistaken for Strangers - Meghann Stephenson 2025