A Guide to Creating a Flower Garden for Mom: Flowers That Symbolize Love and Gratitude

Growing and giving away pretty flowers can be a great way to show your appreciation for special people in your life, especially your mother. Different flowers can also have different meanings: People have created a whole "language of flowers" that connects a message to each type of flower. The most common and well-known example is that red roses symbolize love. Whether you choose to plant a flower garden for your mom or buy her a bouquet of cut flowers, you can use these beautiful blooms to send her the message that you love her and appreciate everything she's done for you.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are bright, cheerful flowers that radiate warmth and joy, just like a thankful heart. As they faithfully follow the sun's path, their golden petals symbolize enduring gratitude and dedication to those we love.

Rose

Roses can share different feelings based on their colors. While red roses show love for that extra-special someone, there are other meaningful rose colors, too. Yellow roses stand for friendship. And pink roses are "thank you" flowers. With their soft petals and sweet smell, a bouquet of pink roses is a great gift to let your mom know how much you appreciate her.

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are vibrant, pretty flowers that bring joy and originate from Asia and Eastern Europe. In China, giving these blooms to family or friends is a special way to show gratitude. Their bright petals symbolize loyalty, respect, and thankfulness for your loved ones.

Carnation

Carnations come in many fun colors, and each one has its own special meaning. Pink carnations represent a mother's pure, loving heart, and white carnations remind us of innocence and purity. As long ago as ancient Greece, carnations have been given as tokens of gratitude and thanks. With their lovely fragrance and pretty petals, carnations are a great gift for your mom.

Iris

Irises are eye-catching flowers that come in pretty much every color of the rainbow! In ancient Greek tales, the goddess Iris used these special blooms to send thankful messages from the gods to humans. With their regal purple hues symbolizing deep respect and bright yellow petals meaning friendship, irises make a thoughtful gift. For a kid aiming to express sincere gratitude to someone who's been so caring and supportive, like a mother, irises are a great choice.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are pretty, long-lasting flowers that send a heartfelt message of gratitude. In Japan, their blooms represent harmony and grace. You can give your mother cut hydrangeas in a bouquet, or you can give her a hydrangea bush to plant in her garden to show how grateful you are for her loving presence in your life.

Sweet Pea

The name might say "pea," but sweet peas definition aren't vegetables. They're actually pretty pink flowers that are native to sunny Sicily, and they're a great gift for someone you appreciate, like your mom. With their bright petals and delightful fragrance, these gratitude-filled flowers will remind them just how much you appreciate their caring company.

Camellia

Originally from China and Japan, camellias are pink and red flowers that symbolize beauty, grace, and devotion. In their native lands, these vibrant flowers are also prized for making tasty teas. Camellias are a great gift to show your sincere appreciation for all that your mom does for you.

Daisy

Daisies are pretty little flowers with sunny yellow centers and delicate white petals that symbolize gratitude and lasting dependability. Giving her a daisy bouquet lets your mother know just how thankful you are for her unwavering love and friendship.

Calla Lily

Calla lilies are stunning blooms with elegant curves and creamy petals. In ancient Greek, "calla" actually means "beautiful," and these regal flowers certainly live up to their name! While they're often given as wedding gifts to symbolize a couple's everlasting union, calla lilies also represent sincere gratitude, so they can be a great gift to show your mom how grateful you are for her.

Tulip

Tulips are colorful flowers that make the perfect "thank you" gift. While tulips bloom in many colors, some of the best ones to give your mom are yellow tulips, which stand for happiness and cheer, and orange tulips, which symbolize appreciation.

Daffodil

Daffodils are cheerful yellow blooms that remind us of spring, and they can also represent gratitude. In the U.K., children lovingly present daffodil bouquets to their moms on Mothering Sunday as a heartfelt "thank you."

Primrose

Primroses are small flowers that grow all over the world, especially in the Himalayas. Their cheerful colors can help to brighten anyone's day, making them a great gift for anyone, including your mother.

Pansy

Pansies get their name from the French "penser," which means "to think," so pansies are a great gift to show someone that you're thinking of them. These delicate blooms also grow well all over the world, so they're great for planting in a garden for Mom.

Additional Resources

• Flower Meanings: The Language of Flowers
• What Different Flowers Mean on Mother's Day
• Language of Flowers
• Say it With Flowers: The Meaning of a Rose
• Meaningful Flower Arrangements
• Why the Carnation Is the Official Mother's Day Flower
• Surprising Meanings Behind Your Favorite Flowers
• The Iconic Iris: A Floral Favorite
• What Different Flowers Mean on Mother's Day
• Mother's Day Flower Delivery
• 20 Flowers and What They Symbolize
• Flowers and Their Meanings

This page was published by Chad Kremp