Flowers That Represent Friendship

In the 1800s the British and French attributed meanings to different flowers. Anyone with the knowledge of this language of flowers could send an encoded message to another in the form of a bouquet. While many of the flowers bespoke of romantic feelings, some blooms were assigned a message of friendship. The first Sunday in August each year is Friendship Day — the perfect time to present a dear friend with a floral token of the value of their friendship.

Chrysanthemum

While red chrysanthemums were said to indicate true love and yellow blooms a slighted love, chrysanthemums in general are said to be flowers of friendship. Chrysanthemums bloom in the fall, long after many other flowers have faded, suggesting that like good friends, they are around when you need them. Potted chrysanthemums make an attractive hostess or thank you gift.

Geranium

The geranium is the flower of true friendship. While geraniums do well in the garden, they're also popular houseplants and will thrive for many years in pot indoors as long as they have adequate light. Geraniums also make good friendship gifts and come in many shades of pink, red, orange and white.

Ivy

Though not a bloom, the deep green leaves of this vine were said to represent friendship. Ivy serves as a nice contrast in a friendship bouquet or arrangement.

Yellow Roses

Yellow roses symbolize friendship, while red roses are the color symbolizing love. Roses are among the most popular garden plants and come in hundreds of colors and varieties. Honey Perfume and Playboy are other popular varieties of yellow roses.

Zinnias

The bright blossoms of zinnia were said to inspire thoughts of absent friends. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed and thrive in home flowerbeds, blooming until frost. You can find zinnias in sizes ranging from dwarf miniatures to giant blossoms.