A Symbolic Garden by Flower Meaning

pink gladeolas blossoming on green stalks

You may or may not be aware that every flower holds its own symbolic meaning. Pairing together flowers with this in mind can help you to create a garden that's not only beautiful, but holds a significant meaning to you.

Gladiolus

The gladiolus flower symbolizes strength, infatuation, and integrity. While these flowers don’t need a ton of water, if it rains less than an inch a week, they’ll need additional hydration. They should be planted with a two to four inch layer of mulch around them to keep soil moist and to keep weeds at bay.

Roses

beautiful pink roses with drops of water

Roses are beautiful and smell great, and they’re undoubtedly one of the most popular flowers out there. However, do you know what they stand for from a symbolism point of view? These lovely blooms appropriately symbolize love and passion, making them the perfect pick for a garden with a romantic feel.

As a care tip, rose bushes should be planted in an area that receives six to eight hours of sunlight every day. If you live in a hot climate, plant your rose bush somewhere where it gets protection from the hot afternoon sun. If you live in a cold climate, opt for next to a south or west-facing fence to minimize freeze damage in the winter.

Tulips

purple tulips with glowing light

To go along the same theme of romance and love, this popular garden flower stands for true love, hope, and royalty. Tulips should be planted in the fall, about six to eight weeks prior to the season’s first frost. Once they’re planted and in bloom, tulips don’t need much water and should only be watered when they’re dry.

Hydrangeas

pink and blue hydrangea blossoms

These big and bustling garden blooms have their own significant meaning. Hydrangeas stand for gratitude, honesty, and deep understanding. These bushes should be planted in moist, rich soil and in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. Hydrangea bushes require one weekly deep water, and maybe more if the weather is particularly hot and dry.

Daisies

daisies in bright sun

These classic flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden, holding their own meaning. Daisies stand for innocence, purity, motherhood, and new beginnings. These plants should be watered in the morning so that the soil can dry throughout the day. They require full, direct sunlight and should be trimmed as soon as the plant begins to wilt to allow for new blooms.

Peonies

large pink peony flowers

Peonies are a highly coveted flower in any garden that have a short bloom time in most areas. They symbolize prosperity, good fortune, wealth, and honor. These flowers, like many others, bloom on a bush. Also like other flowers, they come in a variety of colors—their trademark pink as well as coral, peach, and yellow. They thrive in a sunny location with well draining soil. Peonies also require good air circulation around them in order to bloom well.

Buttercups

close up buttercup blossom

These bright and sunny blooms stand for innocence, neatness, and humility. To successfully care for these in your garden, after their leaves emerge from the soil, water them whenever the soil starts to dry out. Add mulch around these plants in order to keep the soil moist and cool at the root.

Black Eyed Susans

black eyed susans

These popular wildflowers have a unique meaning, symbolizing justice, encouragement, and motivation. Once you know their meaning, you realize that they are a motivating flower to have in your garden! Black eyed susans should be planted in moist, well-draining soil. While these blooms prefer full sun, they can also prosper in partial sunlight.

Daffodils

daffodils

It’s appropriate that these sunny blooms stand for new beginnings, rebirth, and springtime. When planting these bulbs, use high-quality ones that are not dried out and that are as large as possible for the best flowers in the spring. Daffodils need to be generously watered while they’re in bloom.

Azaleas

pink blossoming azalea bush

These pretty flowers have a unique meaning, symbolizing homesickness, taking care of a loved one, and moderation. Azaleas thrive in slightly acidic, well draining soil. These plants are rarely bothered by insects and don’t require much attention besides watering when they’re dry.

Choosing your flowers carefully based on their meaning for a well-curated, symbolic garden will make this area of your yard even more special.