With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you may already be thinking about what you’re going to do for your partner or significant other. Some will make reservations at the fanciest restaurant in town, while others may be getting ahead of the holiday rush to order the best bouquet of flowers or roses around. But have you ever stopped to wonder why Valentine’s Day (or really love in general) is associated with flowers? The first thing that usually pops into people’s mind when they think of Valentine’s Day is flowers. In fact, flowers have a strong symbolism when it comes to love and romance. In many cultures across the world, red roses represent love, beauty, romance and, in some cases, politics, and other color roses and flowers having different meanings, too. But when did Valentine’s Day and flowers become synonymous with each other? Well, that goes all the way back to the Victorian era back in the nineteenth century when bouquets were sent to deliver special messages to love interests. These flower deliveries were a sign that the “party” was interested in the other, which was called “floriography,” which basically cemented the rose as being a romantic symbol in today’s world. They were non-verbal messages used to showcase an interest in romantic love. It was actually Charles II of Sweden in the 18th century who placed each flower with a specific meaning, allowing lovers and friends to have conversations just through flowers! But flowers and roses were associated with love and romance way before the Victorians decided to use them as ways to show interest to their potential lovers. The cultivation of roses goes back to 5,000 years ago in eastern Asia and then follows into Roman times when they were raised in the Middle East so that they could be used for things like perfume, medicine and more. The red color of a rose represents passion, which is another reason why it’s associated with love and Valentine’s Day and possibly why the Victorians used them. So wondering what some of your other favorite flowers mean and what type of messages they send if you use them for your Valentine’s Day flowers? Read on to find out more! Peonies Many love peonies for their amazing pastel colors and fluffy blooms, and they’re associated with a number of meanings like prosperity, romance, and bashfulness. And some think they’re good luck charms, allowing good fortune to grace those who receive them. Add them to your flowers for Valentine’s Day and give good luck to your sweetheart! Orchids Skip the traditional red roses and opt for orchids if that symbolize strength, beauty, luxury, and love, as well as exotic seduction! And the best part is, orchids last a lot longer than a dozen roses, allowing your Valentine to admire them for days. Carnations Despite carnations getting a bad rep as cheap flowers, they are actually beautiful additions to any bouquet. They come in a variety of colors and really add to floral arrangements for Valentine’s Day. Gardenias If your loved one goes crazy for scents, then gardenias are what you want to use since they are filled with fragrance. They signify joy and purity and showcase a deep, old-fashioned love. Pink Roses These are great for a friend you want to show some love to since pink roses signify grace, admiration, appreciation, and gratefulness. White Roses If you’re looking for an alternative to red roses, send white Roses, which symbolize charm and true love! And if you want to really impress, mix them in with white for the ultimate romantic gesture.