Unfortunately you can't gift villagers specific items (like flowers, or albums) even though they can start with them in their house. I actually do think you MIGHT be able to send flowers via mail to a villager though, but I can't be certain.
Actually, the dandelions ARE the ones that go in the ground, he starts out with them.
It is a leaf icon when he hands them over, but turns into the flower/weed once in your inventory.
EDIT: Yes, you can mail flowers to villagers.
Actually, some of my uchi villagers mail me rarely-colored flowers unexpectedly; I've received a few orange roses that way.
Your question has been answered though - he means furniture that can be placed on a table, or a small fish or bug.