Hilderbrand uses flower symbolism to demonstrate Maribel and Jem’s compatibility. Maribel is associated with the zinnias that she grows in her garden. For instance, Mack compares Andrea Krane to a red rose, but “Maribel [to] a yellow zinnia” (127). Red roses represent passion, while zinnias often signify missing an absent friend, highlighting the dichotomy the two women embody for Mack: excitement versus (overlooked) stability. Zinnias also symbolically represent resilience since they are able to grow even in the harshest conditions. After the hurricane, Maribel discovers her garden has been damaged: “A huge bough had fallen into Maribel’s garden and crushed the zinnias” (318). This parallels Maribel’s own storyline, including the end of her relationship with Mack. Her response, however, suggests recovery, as she warms in the sun like a zinnia: “[T]he sun […] felt good on [her] arms and bare legs” (318)yellow zinnias in particular closely resemble the sun and thus traditionally symbolize joy, growth, and new beginnings, underscoring the symbolic resonance of this moment.

Maribel finds happiness with Jem, whom she describes as “the flower where all the petals [say] the same thing. He loves me” (318). This allusion to the game of “He loves me, he loves me not,” traditionally played by plucking daisy petals, indicates the couple’s compatibility, as daisies and zinnias are flowers in the same family. Like zinnias, daisies symbolize new beginnings and cheerfulness. They also represent innocence, faithfulness, and simplicity, evoking Jem’s sincere devotion to Maribel and thus underscoring that the two belong together.