Now that spring has sprung, there’s no question that you’re seeing more flowers everywhere you turn. Gardens are dotted with vibrant colors and textures that elevate their personality and brim with style. Bouquets are more abundant and radiant than ever. The flowers themselves also happen to be especially meaningful.

Those values alone make spring flowers special. There’s nothing quite like giving a thoughtful floral arrangement to someone who means so much to you. Whether it’s a colorful Easter bouquet, a lavish bouquet for Mother’s Day, or a thoughtful orchid to celebrate National Orchid Day, there are holidays throughout spring that give you reasons galore to snap up some pretty stems for the ones you love.

It helps that spring’s most beloved and popular flowers are so symbolic. They’re easy on the eyes, without a doubt, but there’s so much more to these stems than their good looks. Warmer temperatures, endless sunshine, occasional sprinkles, and longer days all spell perfection for flowers that rely on the beautiful weather and pleasant conditions to thrive.

If you’re looking for the right types of flowers to send to your loved ones during springtime, make it even more special by selecting something that conveys your message in a subtle way. That’s the inherent beauty of flowers — they’re naturally beautiful, but a deeper understanding of different varieties can help your recipient understand exactly why you chose a particular bouquet for them. Here are the meanings and symbolism of several popular spring flowers.

What Do Popular Spring Flowers Symbolize?

1. Tulips
2. Carnations
3. Peonies
4. Anemones

The lovely tulip needs no introduction. A sprightly little flower with an inherent sort of charm, tulips are available in almost every color of the rainbow. You’ll find them in everything from romantic reds and soft pinks to vibrant yellows and regal lilacs. They’re symbolic of change, aspiration, and, above all else, real love.

Don’t mistake that sentiment for the passionate love customarily associated with roses, however. Tulips resonate with true, perfect, and unconditional love — the kind of love that is without question or doubt. It’s the love shared between parent and child or between best friends.

Reds are linked to romance, while yellows are evocative of happiness and sunshine. The former is a lovely choice to give to a significant other but would be just as suited to anyone you love with all of your heart. A yellow tulip arrangement will cheer up anyone who needs a boost. White tulips convey your regrets, so they’re a nice choice if you can’t be there or want to express your sorrows. Try Double The Celia to make anyone’s day brighter and more beautiful. With shades of warm pink and red entwined, these tulips are positively radiant.

The carnation’s signature ruffles make carnations truly special. The flower is instantly recognizable for its unique appearance. There are several schools of thought regarding the origins of the name. Some believe it’s derived from coronation, as it was often used in ceremonial crowns in Greece. Others believe it comes from the Latin carnis, or flesh, in honor of the first pink carnations.

It’s worth noting that carnations carry different meanings around the globe. In France, for example, the purple variety is used in funeral services. In Spain, the red carnation is the country’s national flower and is symbolic of a mother’s love and devotion to her family. In Belgium, white carnations are used to represent love.

Pink carnations are often used to express gratitude, so giving a pink arrangement is an expressive way to say you’re grateful for something they’ve done for you. Red carnations offer sentiments of love and admiration, while white carnations are representative of luck and good fortune.

Like carnations, peonies boast an equally ruffled texture that makes them highly distinctive. They add a rich finish to any arrangement. Triple The Peony is a favorite for its abundance and radiant color palette. Those alone are clear examples of what makes the flower so special.

Of course, it’s the inherent symbolism of the peony that people appreciate. This lovely flower is perfect to give for any reason, whether you’re celebrating a beautiful friendship or honoring someone for a job well done or for a promotion. In fact, giving a peony is akin to wishing someone good luck! Some even say that a peony bush blooming with flowers will bring their homeowner good fortune.

The flower is also representative of romance, so you can just as easily give a peony bouquet to your significant other as you would give roses. Given the connotation of luck and fortune, it’s no surprise that people give this flower when they want to wish someone the best on an upcoming venture. You can also give peonies to express your best wishes to someone as they embark on a new endeavor, whether it’s a graduation or a wedding.

Like spring itself, the daffodil is representative of fresh starts and rebirths. Resonant with the season on a deep level, this flower is widely recognized for its traditional yellow color. That said, you may also spot it in other uplifting hues, like orange and white. The trumpet-like center gives it a standout appearance, while flared petals lend the flower its robust and cheery appearance.

As the national flower of Wales, the flower grew in popularity during the 19th century. It was during this time that the country’s leaders began to wear the flower in public. Today the flower is popular all over the world for many reasons. Because they are symbolic of good luck, fortune, and prosperity, they are widely used in Chinese New Year celebrations.

The daffodil is often given on 10-year wedding anniversaries to wish the couple joy and happiness — a way to wish someone the best as they begin another decade of life with one another. Think of this flower as the perfect choice when you want to express your happiness and hope for someone. Even the American Cancer Society conveys its message of rebirth and hope for patients with the lovely daffodil.

Just a glance at the anemone is enough to cement its appearance in your mind. This wildflower is popular for its eye-catching look and intriguing history. According to Greek lore, the anemone made its first appearance when Aphrodite was in mourning over the loss of her dearest love, Adonis. As the tears fell, anemones grew in their place.

The distinctive flower is often linked to anticipation, but as with so many other flowers, different colors are associated with different sentiments. For example, the purple anemone is symbolic of safety. With these in your midst, you’ll be safe from harm’s way. By contrast, the red anemone is said to be reflective of lost love. White anemones are symbolic of purity and sincerity.

With such deep meanings, it’s no wonder this flower is perfect to give on so many occasions. You might surprise someone for a birthday to send them your loving best wishes, or give them to a recent graduate or newlyweds to wish them well in the future. The promise of anticipation for happiness in the months and years to come is nicely expressed by these pretty blooms. Why not present them with The Betsy? It’s a delightful arrangement that catches the eye from any angle, in part due to those glorious anemones!

Hope. Expectation. Beauty. Love. Gratitude. Spring’s flowers are highly symbolic of so many different emotions. Whether you’re treating someone for a specific seasonal holiday or just want to give flowers for the joy of it, you’re sure to find a suitable bouquet for the occasion.