How to say it with flowers

For late night
A dark dahlia reads sultry, a ranunculus says romance, and the succulents, well . . . we’d better not say. $80. Adaptation Floral Design, 316 North Highland Avenue, 404-577-1910, adaptation­floraldesign.com

For a party of one
Who better to give you the perfect flowers than yourself? These are classic but modern—and anything but mushy. White hydrangea, white stock, white hyacinth, white peony, Naomi purple mini calla lily; $80. Foxgloves & Ivy, 484 Moreland Avenue, 404-892-7272, foxgloves.biz

For a third date
Not too much, not too little. Red tulips, $9. Whole Foods Market, multiple locations; wholefoodsmarket.com

For the breakup blues Sweet, dreamy, a little wistful. But if you’re deep in the doghouse, says store manager Josh, $80 may not cut it. Pink hydrangeas, pink roses, white orchids; $80. Carithers Flowers, 2030 Powers Ferry Road, 678-401-2986, carithers.com

Photographs by Whitney Ott

This article originally appeared in our February 2014 issue under the headline “The Language of Flowers.”