Lupine Meaning — Symbolism, Colours & Gifting
What do lupines symbolise? Their meaning in the language of flowers, colour by colour, plus when to give them — a florist's gifting guide.
The lupine is a vertical spire of pea-shaped florets in an unusually rich colour range — the natural blues and purples rival delphinium at a fraction of the cost. A cottage-garden wedding staple, and the state flower of Texas (Bluebonnet subspecies). Multiple florets open bottom-up over a week.
TL;DR. Lupines stand for imagination and voraciousness in the language of flowers. Colour shifts the message — red for love, white for purity, pink for gratitude.
What Lupines symbolise
In the language of flowers lupines carry meanings of imagination and voraciousness. A bouquet is never only decorative — the flower you choose, and the colour you choose it in, is a message. That is what makes lupines such a considered gift: they say something the card alone cannot.
For the botany, varieties and full profile, see the Lupine encyclopedia entry.
Lupines by colour — what each shade says
Lupines come in several colours, and each one tilts the meaning:
- White lupines — purity, sympathy and fresh starts.
- Cream lupines — understated, quiet elegance.
- Pink lupines — gratitude, admiration and gentle affection.
- Coral lupines — warmth and lively affection.
- Red lupines — love and passion.
- Purple lupines — admiration, dignity and enchantment.
- Blue lupines — calm, trust and the rare and hard-to-find.
- Bi-colour lupines — a message with two sides.
Browse arrangements and pairings by shade in the flowers by colour guide.
Lupines 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 lupines 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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