There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray you love, remember." Old Will (Shakespeare) had it right all those years ago. Flowers and herbs were extremely symbolic in various ways. The Victorians knew how to "say it with flowers" as well. They presented their message in a bouquet of flowers and herbs called a tussie mussie with each flower and herb expressing a meaning. Consider the young man nervously clutching a bouquet in his sweaty hand to present to his Victorian sweetheart. In his bouquet you might find a red carnation "pure and ardent love" and helitrope "I love you" and all of this in a perfectly innocent bouquet of flowers. Pretty racy folks these Victorians were.
The art of sending messages with flowers and herbs has not been left to extinction in the era of Victoria. It is still practiced today with brides and grooms choosing herbs and flowers to symbolize their feelings of love and commitment to each other. Rosemary sprigs meaning "remembrance and fidelity" are often tucked into the bride's bouquet or the groom's boutonniere. Still today herbs and flower petals are tossed at the departing couple wishing them well. Here are but a few of the meanings from the language of flowers and herbs.