Say it with flowers

Flowers grow on desks each Valentine's Day.

Roses, daisies, carnations, lilies ­-- on the surface, they all mean the same thing: Thinking of you. Dig a little deeper into the garden and each flower whispers a different message.

The calla lily is the symbol of magnificent beauty. Getting mimosas means the sender has a secret affection for you. A rose of any color in full bloom means "I love you."

To keep flowers alive use lots of water and keeping them protected from the cold will help the flowers stay perky, said Sharon Bodenstein, owner of Toni's Flower House.

If the flowers start to droop, cut the stems about an inch up from the base, trying to cut at a diagonal so the stem doesn't sit flat on the bottom of the vase.

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Alstroemeria -- Friendship and devotion

Amaryllis -- pride

Apple Blossom -- Hope and Good fortune

Aster -- patience, talisman of love

Azalea -- take care of yourself

baby's breath -- pure heart, constancy

bachelor's button -- hope and devotion

begonia -- fanciful nature

bellflower -- gratitude

bird of paradise -- joyfulness

black locust -- platonic love

bluebell -- gratitude

blue periwinkle -- friendship

blue violet -- modesty, faithfulness

calla lily -- magnificent beauty

camellia -- loveliness, excellence

carnation -- pride, beauty, deep love

pink carnation -- emblem of Mother's Day, "Ill never forget you"

red carnation -- admiration

white carnation -- pure and ardent love

red chrysanthemum -- fidelity and love

white chrysanthemum -- truth

cockscomb -- affection

red columbine -- anxious, trembling

daffodil -- chivalry, regard, devotion

daisy -- innocence, youth gentleness

Forget-me-not -- remembrance, true love

freesia -- innocence

gerbera daisy -- beauty thoughts of absent friends

gladiolus -- strength of character

globe amaranth -- unchangeable, unfadig love

heliotrope -- devotion

hibiscus -- delicate beauty

holly -- foresight, good wishes

honeysuckle -- devoted affection, bonds of love, fraternal affection

iris -- my compliments

Jasmine -- grace and elegance

white jasmine -- amiability

yellow jasmine -- modesty

jonquil -- affection returned

larkspur -- laughter, ardent attachment, an open heart

lavender -- luck

lilacs -- first emotions of love

lily -- purity, majesty

lily of the valley -- return of happiness, purity and humility

lisianthus -- thoughts, outgoing

Marigold -- affection

michaelmas daisy -- farewell

mimosa -- secret love, sensibility

mums -- rose or red, I love

Myrtle -- love and remembrance

orange blossom -- fidelity, fertility

orchid -- rare beauty

pansy -- thinking of you, recollection

peach blossom -- love's captive

peony -- bashfulness, healing

white periwinkle -- pleasing remembrances

phlox -- sweet dreams

pimpernel -- life change

Red poppy -- pleasure

primrose -- young love

Queen Anne's Lace -- magic, trust, healing and steadfast love

ranunculus -- "Dazzled by your charm"

Red rose -- love and passion

white rose -- purity, humility, "Am worthy of you"

red and white roses -- unity

pink rose -- grace, gentility, perfect happiness

yellow rose -- joy and gladness

orange rose -- desire

red/yellow rose -- happiness

rosebuds -- beauty and youth

rosemary -- remembrance

star of Bethlehem -- reconciliation

Statice -- sypathy

Stephanotis -- good luck, happiness in marriage

sunflower -- adoration, pure thoughts

sweet alyssum -- worth beyond beauty

sweat pea -- delicate, blissful pleasure

tuberrose -- dangerous pleasures

tulip -- declaration of love, passion

red tulip -- undying love

variegated tulip -- beautiful eyes

yellow tulip -- hopeless love

verbena -- enchantment "May you get your wish.

violet -- modesty and simplicity

wallflower -- fidelity in adversity

water lilly -- purity of heart

zinnia -- thoughts of absent friends