How did Victorians use the language of flowers in nosegays?

In the context of Victorian floral decoration, the nosegay served as a subtle and sophisticated medium for communication, often referred to as the "language of love."1

Fashionable ladies carried these small, hand-held bouquets as accessories, but when presented by an admirer, the specific selection of flowers and herbs functioned as a coded message. By choosing particular blooms, individuals could express complex sentiments without speaking:1

• Declarations of affection: A red tulip, for instance, served as a direct declaration of love.1
• Signs of indifference or rejection: A young lady might return a sprig of dogwood to signal indifference, or use a variegated pink to formally reject a suitor’s advances.1

This practice turned the nosegay—typically a compact arrangement of flowers, greens, and herbs often edged with a paper frill—into a meaningful social tool during the mid-19th century. While Victorian floral arrangements generally emphasized brilliant hues and compact, massed designs, the nosegay was unique in its role as a personal, symbolic exchange between individuals.12