Aster (daintiness) (love, from the Greek word for “star”)

Apothecaries, witches and healers, believed Asters to have healing properties. Asters were laid on the graves of French soldiers to symbolise peace.

Azalea (temperance – passion – womanhood – fragility)

Azaleas grow as shrubs and small trees with large an abundant flower display. The English name derived from the Greek word azaleos, meaning “dry.”

Baby’s Breath (innocence)

Baby’s breath symbolises purity of heart, the breath of the Holy Spirit and tenderness. Baby’s breath is a dense cluster of delicate flowers, a favourite of brides symbolising peace, love and unity.

Bachelor Button (celibacy – single – blessedness – delicacy)

Bachelor button symbolises hope in love, and is also known as the cornflower, basket flower and boutonniere flower. Young men wore a bachelor button flower signifying their love for a young woman, the flower faded quickly if the love was unrequited. This beautiful blue cornflower is Poland’s national flower. Bachelor buttons have been prized historically for their pigment.

Bamboo (balance – flexibility – immortality – youth)

Bamboo is a symbol for long life and is the most popular plant in China, it is considered a gentleman with perfect virtues and has the balance of Yin and the Yang. When a storm comes the bamboo bends with the wind. When the storm ceases, it resumes its upright position. It has the ability to overcome adversity and stand firmly

Bauhinia – (harmony)

The bauhinia has orchid-like flowers that are purple-red and surrounded by thick, heart shaped leaves, the flowers bloom from November to March. The Bauhinia flower features on the flag of Hong Kong.

Begonia – (beware – fanciful nature)

Begonias grow in subtropical and tropical moist climates, in South and Central America, Africa and southern Asia. Begonias have showy flowers of white, pink, scarlet, yellow, and attractively marked leaves.

Bird of Paradise – (faithfulness – freedom – perspective)

The bird of paradise flower is named because of a resemblance to the actual bird of paradise. In South Africa it is commonly known as a “crane” flower.

Bluebell – (constancy – humility – gratitude) sometimes (“wild hyacinths”)

Bluebells are considered, not only beautiful but magical, they are closely linked to the realm of fairies and are sometimes referred to as “fairy thimbles.”  In order to call fairies to a convention the bluebells would be rung, and children who picked them sometimes disappeared. Because of her connection with war and death, the bluebell keeps her head bowed, as bowmen in the Middle Ages glued feathers onto arrows using bluebell sap. Bluebells are known as Deadmen’s Bells.

Buttercup – (neatness – humility – childishness)

The buttercup is sometimes called “Coyote’s Eyes,” from the American legend of the coyote tossing his eyes up in air and catching them again, when an eagle swooped down and snatched the eyes. Not able to see, the coyotemade eyes from the buttercup. Buttercups are part of a large genus of 400 species.