These beautiful flowers that begin with the letter L invoke all kinds of happy emotions. Let’s dig in.

larkspur

The Victorians loved this summer flower for its airiness and playful appearance. They gave it the meaning of lightness. Using the flower in bouquets or paintings or even in a bowl of potpourri, the message was clearly, “What a joy and a pleasure it is to know you.”

lilac

Who doesn’t remember the first emotions of love? The electricity of butterflies and the heady happiness of getting to know someone who enjoys your company as much as you enjoy his or hers can be expressed with the delicate and aromatic lilac flower.

lily of the valley

The lily of the valley with its pretty white bell blossoms means return of happiness. The Victorians might include it with white lilies and white rosebuds to create a summer bouquet. It is still a traditional gift between sweethearts and friends on May Day in France.

What are your favorite first emotions of love? Do you give May Day flowers? 

Source: A Victorian Flower Dictionary: The Language of Flowers Companion by Mandy Kirkby. Ballantine Books, 2011.

Since I’m working on too many things at once (what else is new?) and I was late figuring out my list, I’ll be late adding images. Sorry. I want to be sure I get the right ones with the right copyright licensing. I know too many author friends who’ve been sued for copyright infringement for using images they thought were OK. 

Join me tomorrow for flowers that start with M: marigold, mistletoe, and myrtle. What would you guess these flowers mean?