The Inca used the sunflower to symbolise the sun god, Inti. Their temples and jewellery were decorated in its likeness, adorned with gold to mimic the flowers' splendour. The story goes that the invading conquistadors, who had never seen the South American flower before, beheld a field of sunflowers and initially believed it to be real gold, hence the attributed meaning; 'false riches'. Perhaps 'riches gained falsely' might be a more fitting interpretation...

A dahlia is a fantastic provider of flowers at the end of summer and into autumn. If keep cutting the blooms, more will grow, and they have good vase lives too. They were popular in a Victoria bridal bouquet, often symbolising longevity and commitment for these reasons. 

The large blousy blooms of the hydrangea which provide very few seeds gave them the reputation of all show and no substance in Victorian times. 

In Japanese legend they were said to have been given by an emperor as an apology.