Dearest Gentle Reader— oops, sorry, we just had to! We are obsessed with the latest season of Netflix's period drama, Bridgerton. Season 3 focuses on the will they, won't they romance between Penelope Featherington's (Nicola Coughlan) blossoming romance with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). With its captivating love stories, intriguing societal scandals, lavish ballgowns, and opulent set designs where luxurious floral arrangements take center stage, what's more to ask for? In this article, we'll delve deeper into all the different blooms and flower meanings in Bridgerton and how they were subtly woven into the show's enthralling visual display to reveal a deeper story.
Even a Wallflower Can Bloom
Flowers have always played a significant role in the show's visual storytelling of Quinn's bestselling novels. In the previous season, they showed a scene where Penelope was wearing a yellow dress against a backdrop of yellow blooms, blending in and looking like a literal wallflower.
With its now iconic tagline, "Even a wallflower can bloom," the latest installment treats viewers to Penelope's transformation from a shy, quiet, self-conscious girl who steps away from the spotlight to a beautiful and powerful heroine.
Gladioulus, Penelope's Flower
"The flowers Penelope wears become stronger," Phillip Corps, Brigderton's resident florist, tells TODAY.com. "We use stronger shapes, more prominent flowers, like gladiolus, which are very upright and proud but beautiful." This bloom generally conveys strength, courage, character, and faithfulness.
Floriography: The Story Behind Flowers
Bridgerton's flowers are inspired by floriography, pouring over 19th-century texts like Kate Greenaway's illustrated "Language of Flowers," published in 1884. "We picked the flowers that we felt or the meanings of the flowers that we felt reflected their relationship the best. So there were qualities like love, passions, strength, solidarity," Bridgerton's new production designer, Alison Gartshore, shares.
Some flowers shown prominently in Bridgerton include:
- Tulips - The show first introduces the significance of tulips in season 1, with Lady Violet thoughtfully saying they represent passion while embroidering. In Season 2, the reappearance of tulips strengthens the connection between Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma. He brings a bouquet of tulips when he visits her after the accident. The specific colors (pink, white, and orange) each hold meaning, reflecting his adoration and desire for forgiveness. Depending on the color, tulips can also symbolize fame, confessions of love, and unrequited love (yellow tulips)
- Geraniums - are classic friendship flowers. Geraniums may represent the many enduring friendships throughout the series, like Penelope's and Eloise's or between Lady Violet and Lady Danbury. Geranium's other flower meanings are wishes for good health and steadfast piety. Interestingly, observant fans were also quick to point out geraniums on Eloise's dress, speculating it is a hint for a possible new screen adaptation of Quinn's novel, "To Sir Philip, With Love."
- Roses are a recurring floral motif throughout the season. Pink roses, traditionally symbolizing love, beauty, and gratitude, appear prominently. We see them in the background during Colin and Penelope's encounter at the sweets tent, perhaps hinting at a shift in Colin's perception of Penelope. The presence of yellow roses alongside the pink ones adds another layer. Yellow roses can represent friendship but also a budding romance.
Bridgerton floral designers left more Easter eggs for their fellow flower lovers to decipher. Here are some notable ideas we love from Reddit.
In an episode where Eloise calls out Cressida for her harsh treatment of Penelope, the two can be seen walking under trailing vines filled with yellow laburnums. These flowers represent pensive beauty and risk of abandonment, which is a fitting flower meaning for the two. On the other hand, the asparagus fern, gifted by Lord Debling to Penelope, denotes his fascination for her but in a non-romantic way.
Setting aside Polin's undeniable chemistry (and the iconic carriage ride, iykyk), we can't blame you if you want to rewatch the entire series from the beginning to decode the hidden flower meanings in each scene.
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