Cerinthe Meaning — Symbolism, Colours & Gifting
What do cerinthes symbolise? Their meaning in the language of flowers, colour by colour, plus when to give them — a florist's gifting guide.
Cerinthe, or honeywort, is an unusual member of the borage family grown for its glaucous blue-green foliage and nodding, deep purple-blue bracts that shade toward gunmetal at the tips. Florists reach for it when a bouquet needs a moody, painterly accent and a colour that bridges blue, teal and green. Its arching stems add graceful movement to garden-style and editorial designs. It is a designer's curiosity rather than a mass flower, and best enjoyed while freshly cut.
TL;DR. Cerinthes stand for uniqueness, intrigue and abundance in the language of flowers. Colour shifts the message — red for love, white for purity, pink for gratitude.
What Cerinthes symbolise
In the language of flowers cerinthes carry meanings of uniqueness, intrigue and abundance. A bouquet is never only decorative — the flower you choose, and the colour you choose it in, is a message. That is what makes cerinthes such a considered gift: they say something the card alone cannot.
For the botany, varieties and full profile, see the Cerinthe encyclopedia entry.
Cerinthes by colour — what each shade says
Cerinthes come in several colours, and each one tilts the meaning:
- Blue cerinthes — calm, trust and the rare and hard-to-find.
- Purple cerinthes — admiration, dignity and enchantment.
- Green cerinthes — renewal, health and good fortune.
Browse arrangements and pairings by shade in the flowers by colour guide.
When to give Cerinthes
Cerinthes are a natural fit for weddings. Match the colour to the sentiment — love, thanks, congratulations or comfort — and the bouquet does the talking. For seasonal timing and what pairs well, see the Cerinthe entry.
Cerinthes in a meaningful bouquet
Meaning works best when it is intentional. Choose the colour for the message, keep the number of stems in mind (in many traditions odd numbers are for joy), and let the recipient know what the flowers say. Then give them the care they deserve — see how to keep cerinthes fresh — so the message lasts as long as possible.
From the Lacy Bird studio. This guide is written by our florists. We deliver seasonal flowers across the UAE — see flower delivery in Dubai — and we teach floristry, from a first bouquet to running your own shop, at the Lacy Bird Academy.
Related reading:
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