What do flowers represent?

Flowers are used as a symbol for the coming of spring meaning a renewal of life and the start of something new. Flowers are also youth, beauty, longevity, remembrance an innocence. Different flowers are used for different occasions in the novel. Michael has lilies at his funeral but Stella also has lilies the first time Cora visits making her sick considering lilies symbolize restored innocence after death and Cora thought of her husband as anything but innocent. Flowers are also tied to the character of Stella and her beauty and at one point Cora even says that Stella's face is so beautiful it can make flowers wilt.