Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: How to Send the Right Message With Your Valentine’s Day Flowers (And Which Flowers You Should Avoid!)

You have probably heard that many flowers have specific meanings. In the Victorian era, people would send flower arrangements as coded messages to express their feelings without words. Everyone knows that red roses represent romance, but did you know that orange roses symbolize passion and energy, and that yellow roses are traditionally seen as unromantic?

In case you want to branch out from the predictable dozen red roses this year, here are some meanings of some other Valentine's Day flowers, all courtesy of TheFlowerExpert.com:

Amaryllis: This dramatic crimson flower represents splendid beauty, and can also indicate worth beyond beauty.

Bird of Paradise: A striking, exotic flower, the Bird of Paradise symbolizes joyfulness and magnificence, and can also connote "wonderful anticipation." Maybe a good choice if you're planning on popping the question?

See also: 6 million Americans expecting marriage proposal this Valentine's Day, up from 4 million last year

Carnation: This is a tricky one, because different colors of carnation have very different meanings. Be careful not to send the wrong message!

Red carnations represent love, pride, and admiration, while pink ones suggest the "love of a woman or a mother." Purple carnations suggest capriciousness, which might not be the best choice if you want to tell your sweetie you will be eternally faithful. White carnations symbolize innocence and pure love.

Watch out for yellow carnations, which symbolize disdain, rejection and disappointment. And unless you are breaking up with someone, stay away from striped carnations, which indicate refusal.

Anemone: If your relationship has ended, you could always send your ex some anemones, which symbolize "fading hope and a feeling of having been forsaken."

Daffodil: These lovely spring flowers are a less common Valentine's Day choice, but they could show your date that you're willing to think outside the box. Traditionally, daffodils represent chivalry, rebirth, and new beginnings. Careful, though: a single daffodil indicates unhappiness, while a bouquet symbolizes joy.

Roses: This classic Valentine's Day flower can send a lot of different messages. Red roses indicate love and "deep emotions," and a dozen roses is the most traditional way of saying "I love you" and "Be mine."  White roses, on the other hand, symbolize purity, chastity, and innocence, while pink ones portray more "gentle emotions" such as admiration and gratitude.

Orange roses convey passion and energy, and could be a striking, unusual choice for Valentine's Day. Or, if you do not want to send any romantic signals, go for yellow roses, which represent "exuberance" and platonic friendship.