So wrote a poet in 1913 known only by his initials, FWL, and his signature, "Father." Long linked with lovers and poets, flowers present a mythology of innuendoes. One of the earliest assignations comes from the Chinese, for whom the lotus flower symbolized perfect truth and purity.

The Romantics also explored the symbolism of blooms, praising flowers and identifying with them in memorable works. Wordsworth famously glorified a field of daffodils. Keats likened his love's brow to a lily and her cheeks to a fading rose. But it was the Victorians who cultured an entire system of connotations, eventually yielding the "Language of Flowers."

So discreet was courtship during the Victorian era that a man could not publicly declare his love for a woman, nor could she respond in kind. Lovelorn Victorians found they could circumvent the social code with carefully chosen flowers. They exchanged bouquets containing secret messages. The number of leaves on a branch might indicate the date and time of a rendezvous, for example, while the blooms themselves expressed the sender's feelings.

Thus the language of flowers was born, and lists began to circulate. An orchid meant ecstasy; the sweet pea signified lasting pleasure; a daffodil stood for chivalry; the violet was a pledge of faithfulness; a red rose represented true love. But not all meanings were encouraging. The narcissus suggested egotism and the buttercup expressed ingratitude. The yellow rose spoke of jealousy, while the dahlia told of instability.

To make the code even more enigmatic, flowers often had double or contradictory meanings. The amaryllis could mean pride or timidity. Delphiniums indicated either a flight of fancy or an ardent attachment. Lavender could impart distrust or loyalty. Decoding these bouquets became something of a parlor game -- quite the rage of the prim and proper era.

The code slipped from popularity as social norms relaxed, but some flowers have retained their significance -- especially those associated with love and romance. For example, fennel placed in a bride's bouquet proclaims her "worthy of all praise." Peppermint relays warmth of feeling, and sage implies domestic virtue. Stephanotis, another popular wedding flower, stands for marital happiness.

When considering a bouquet, modern-day romantics and poets may revisit the language of flowers to lend a special touch. Here is a list of meaningful flowers and herbs, courtesy of floral designer Sybil Sylvester.