Say it with flowers, they urged—if you don’t have the words to speak your heart, use the language of blooms. But I lack the insight to begin this conversation of coded blossom.
A hyacinth, apparently, means “Your loveliness is charming”, and a red tulip, “I declare my love”. If she sent back a poppy, it would warn “I am not free”, while a pink would signal “Yes”.
The florist is dumbfounded when I ask how to code, “I’d enjoy a dalliance but am frightened by commitment.”
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Particularly lovely phrase : conversation of coded blossom.
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Thanks so much, Jilly
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In the language of flowers I send you a yellow rose, they are happy yet a little jealous
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Oh, complexity is possible?
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Florally sweet.
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Thanks so much, trish
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First such request for the florist for sure 🙂
One has to be always careful while using codes & of course while decoding too!
What if the receiver does not know your code & interprets differently!
Yes means No & vice-versa!!!
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I believe the Victorians were well-versed in these and other social codes. Perhaps less so today
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Dear Neil,
I’d say most women today wouldn’t know what the codes were and would just enjoy getting flowers. At least that’s how this woman sees it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The old knowledge is weakening, yes
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I would have no idea what any of the codes were, but I am sure if she thought I meant, “I’d enjoy a dalliance but am frightened by commitment,” I might not really like her response…
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Unless she felt the same
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True.
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Flower buying for the modern world of relationships. Expertly done Neil.
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Thanks so much, Iain
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The messages that go with flowers and many other things are always intriguing to me. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Andrea
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You are certainly welcome
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Dahlias and camellias perhaps? Just a thought!
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If only you’d been there to advise him
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Aconite, also known as Monkshood, indicates possible hatred and a need for caution. Maybe that’s the one your MC needs 🙂
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But he does want a dalliance
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Maybe the florist sells little cards to provide additional clarity. 😉
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I suspect that would be cheating
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I like this story very much.
A purple rose and a daffodil perhaps?
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Thanks so much
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the florist should suggest a bouquet of different flowers to keep her guessing. 🙂
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That’s a possibility, but I think he wants clarity
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ah, the subtle language of saying more than you wanna say by saying exactly as much as you wanna say … 😉 Well done!
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Thank so much
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🙂
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Wonderful, Neil. One must know the rules if one is to play the game. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Bill
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Here’s a business idea for the florist: add a QR code to the website with the victorian flower meanings. If it is coded victorian. I think there may be other codes. Dangerous business, that… Love the story.
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Thanks so much. I’ll pass the idea on to my florist
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I am sure there is a flower for that! Of course, in today’s world, I wonder how many beneficiaries would actually understand the message.
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That is the fatal flaw in his scheme
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Unless one adds a little note 😉
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Loved the code notion, prompted me to think of valentine messages from anonymous admirers ! Hope the sender doesn’t need to know the botanical names ?
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I suspect the receiver won’t understand the code anyway
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This is an amusing discourse. I think some research into blossom codes is needed!
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Thanks so much
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I loved this Neil and think it’s your best yet. Hilarious. I’m messaging it through to a few friends.
When I was a crazed, love-struck teenager, I gave my then boyfriend a bunch of flowers which included a tuberose which meant dangerous pleasures. It’s such a shame young love is wasted on the young who have such restricted opportunities for enjoying it. I’m sending this through to a 76 year old friend who now feels he is past it.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Wow! Thanks so much, Rowena
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haha! Cute story. The poor florist has her work cut out for her.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome, Neil.
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The language of flowers…wow. You really wouldn’t want to get the colour or the flower wrong. This takes mixed messages to a whole new level. Great story, well done!
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Thanks so much, fleur
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Hahaha knowing my luck I’d send the wrong flower! Nicely done.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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