Flowers + Colour Therapy

As a teenager, I memorized the posters on flower shop walls. You know the ones with roses and their meanings - red roses mean love, orange roses mean fascination, pink roses mean grace, purple roses mean enchantment, and so on. Have you ever wondered about the impact of a flower's colour? Not only including roses, but all flowers? Flowers, and more specifically their colours, have different meanings and the ability to induce positive emotions.

 

Colour therapists, also known as chromatherapists, believe that different colours correspond with different vibrations throughout the body. If your vibrations are askew then therapists believe that if treated with the right colours, they can be restored and re-balanced.  To evoke colour therapy using flowers, monochromatic bouquets of a single colour create the largest emotional response.

 

Read more for the science behind how flowers make us happy and increase positive emotions.

 

We've created a little guide with colour meanings and a selection of some of our favourite flowers.

Meaning: Blue can calm worries and signal support. It is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed. The colour of the sky and ocean, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives.

Suggested Blue Flowers: Delphiniums / Tweedia / Muscari / Hyacinths

Flower Example: Blue is considered a calming colour, reflective of the sea and sky. Blue can help to when seeking to reset a busy mind whenever life gets a little chaotic. This colour is also the classic variety of Forget Me Nots. These blue blooms help to stimulate mental clarity, creative expression and aspiration.

Meaning: Green is the colour of nature, fertility and life. Grass-green is the most restful shade. Green symbolizes self-respect, well-being and balance and is a safe colour that works in most settings and venues.

Suggested Green Flowers: Dianthus / Hellebores / Viburnum / Brezilia

Flower Example: As an Earth colour, green is extremely grounding. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it helps to take us back to nature, such as the rolling countryside, lush woodlands, and rain forests. We recommend green hellebores. Its calming and peaceful nature aids in combating any anxious feelings, while stimulating love, balance and harmony in the body.

Meaning: Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment and happiness. Shades of yellow carry the promise of a positive future. It can also symbolize understanding and a willingness to renew broken relationships.

Suggested Yellow Flowers: Daffodils / Ranunculus / Golden Mustard Roses / Billy Balls

Flower Example: Yellow inspires feelings of happiness and warmth – hardly surprising given our largest source of the colour is the Sun. It also drives confidence, clarity and contentment – the perfect flower to treat someone you love who may be facing a new challenge, such as starting a new job. Yellow Chrysanthemums for example, also symbolize optimism and joy - the perfect choice of flower and colour to keep in your home on those dark, dreary winter days.

Meaning: Orange is fun and flamboyant and radiates warmth and an energetic vibe. Terracotta, peach and rust have a very broad appeal. Upbeat and enthusiastic, the colour brings joy to someone feeling under the weather or facing a hardship.

Suggested Orange Flowers: Frittilaria / Ranunculus / Pincushion Proteas / Poppies

Flower Example: Orange ranunculus, in one of the warmest orange tones, notably resembles the colour of the sunset – one of nature’s most calming and peaceful gifts. Helping to re-balance joy, optimism and wisdom. Orange ranunculus can brighten the gloomiest of winter days.

Meaning: Red is the colour of love, romance, passion and commands attention. Red represents the colour of flushed cheeks.

Suggested Red Flowers: Roses / Scabiosa / Currant Branches / Anthuriums

Flower Example: Symbolic of romance and passion, it comes as no surprise that these blooms have long been associated with love – and the heart. In colour therapy, red stimulates physical energy, confidence and courage, and promotes alertness – so whether you need the courage or confidence to finally tell someone how you feel, or to simply take control of tough choices or decisions in your life, red roses remain the perfect choice.

Meaning: Pink is youthful, fun and exciting, while vibrant pinks have the same high energy as red. Pink is the colour of grace and happiness and is often regarded as lighthearted.

Suggested Pink Flowers: Tulips / Peonies / Spray Roses / Astilbe

Flower Example: Pink tulips encourage emotions of kindness, compassion and affection. Commonly known as the colour of relaxation, a shade of pink called ‘Baker-Miller’ has even been used to reduce violence in hostile environments, due to the colour’s calming properties.

Meaning: White projects purity, cleanliness, perfection and neutrality. It also indicates a fresh start, innocence and simplicity.

Suggested White Flowers: Tulips / Spiraea / Paper Whites / Anemones

Flower Example: As a neutral colour, white is extremely refreshing. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it helps to take us back to stillness. We recommend white phalaenopsis orchids for their peaceful, yet refined nature. It's the perfect bloom to gift in the New Year.

Meaning: Purple balances the stimulation of red with the calm of blue. With mystical and royal connotations, purple is commonly associated with signs of wealth and elegance. It also represents vibrant creativity and can be a great mood booster for those in need of a challenge.

Suggested Purple Flowers: Lilac / Lavender / Scabiosa / Larkspur

Flower Example: In colour therapy, purple packs a punch. Full of life and energy, its extravagance helps to stimulate feelings of inspiration, creativity and calm. Unlike other colours, it cannot be directly linked to any of the core natural elements – so it has a sense of magic. Purple anemones will help to keep you motivated and inspired for all those creative projects you have been putting off, and keep you calm when you could be feeling overwhelmed.

Meaning: Indigo can conjure up images of a deep, deep sea or dark midnight. For many, it has a calming effect, but can also express a feeling of mystery, intuition, balance and structure.

Suggested Indigo Flowers: Baptisia / Pansies / Clematis / Privet Berries

Flower Example: Indigo flowers are perfect to give to someone who is constantly busy as a way of signalling to slow down and listen to their gut feelings. We recommend Baptisia or Wild Indigos for their rich colour and their symbolism in protection.

 

Want to learn more about flowers and their hidden meanings? Take a look at the Language of Flowers.