Floriography

Floriography is one of those fantastic Victorian era creations. A time when people couldn't and wouldn't say what they wanted to with words, so they created a language with flowers. 

A single stem could carry a confession, a warning, or a heartbreak — all without a word being spoken. A red rose declared love, but a yellow one? A sweet pea? Suddenly bouquets weren’t just pretty; they were messages.

There’s something about communicating in petals, putting meaning into our floral creations. About choosing a flower not just because it looks good (but they do), but because it says something. Floriography turns floristry into storytelling.

At Roses & Riffraff, this is brings me a little secret joy. I’m drawn to the romance of it all and also the mischief. The idea that flowers can be have a secret meaning, something perhaps only you and your loved ones share. 

You don’t need to memorise a Victorian dictionary to enjoy floriography. Think of it more of an idea to be intentional with your flowers, to be playful, to hide meaning in your big day or your gifts. Whether you’re celebrating love, marking an ending, or just surrounding yourself with beauty that feels personal, flowers give you a way to do it without overexplaining.

The coming months we will have a little look at seasonal flowers and what they mean to give you some inspiration!