Long before email, texting, instant messages or even phone calls, people used flowers to communicate. The language of flowers — also known as floriography — was popular in the 18th and 19th century. While we now have more ways to communicate, the messages told with flowers are as meaningful today as ever. Eachbirth month flowerhas a unique meaning, and is sure to make the recipient feel extra special.
January Birth Flowers: Carnation and Snowdrop
January’s birth flowers are the carnation and snowdrop.
It takes a distinctly strong bloom to blossom in the cold winter months. As the most popular birth flower for January,carnationsare a bright spot in this gloomy month. They are one of the few flowers that can bloom in cool weather, as long as temperatures remain just above freezing.
Also known as the gillyflower,carnationssymbolize admiration, love and distinction. They’re beautiful and simple blooms, which makes them charming both as a filler flower and as a colorful bouquet.
Snowdrops also bloom in the winter months, between January and March. In the wild, they typically cover large patches, blanketing the earth with swatches of white. Don’t let their droopy shape fool you — they symbolize hope and rebirth!
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February Birth Flowers: Violet and Primrose
February’s birth flowers are the violet and primrose. While many relate red roses with February thanks to Valentine’s Day on the 14th, the violet is actually the February birth flower. This purple-hued bloom is a symbol of modesty, faithfulness and virtue. In the Victorian age, a gift of violets was a declaration to always be true, and it still serves as a wonderful reminder of loyalty, thoughtfulness and dependability.
Another flower often cited as February’s birth flower is the primrose, a pale yellow perennial with European origins. They are edible flowers that can add a pop of color to your favorite treat (or birthday cupcake)! Primroses symbolize young love, so they are a great gift for a significant other.
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March Birth Flower: Daffodil
March’s birth flower is the daffodil. It’s all too appropriate that cheerful yellow flowers represent the first month of spring. These little buds of sunshinesymbolizeunparalleled love and serve as a reminder that the sun is always shining when loved ones are in your life. Varieties of daffodils, also known as jonquil, vary in color, featuring white, orange and pale yellow blooms.
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April Birth Flowers: Daisy and Sweet Pea
April’s birth flowers are thedaisyand the sweet pea. The daisy symbolizes purity, true love and innocence. There are five commontypes of daisieswith petals ranging in color from white to pink, around a bold yellow center. In Old English, people called daisies the “day’s eye,” since the petals closed around the yellow center at night and reopened during the day.Daisiesare great flowers to show your undying love.
Sweet peas symbolize blissful pleasure. Sweet peas are known for their sweet fragrance, and are a great way to make your home smell like spring!
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May Birth Flowers: Lily of the Valley and Hawthorn
May’s birth flowers are the lily of the valley and hawthorn.
The lily of the valley, has many dainty blossoms grouped together on one stem. Lily of the valley blossoms are white and often arranged with lush greenery to contrast the wildflower-like composition. This flower signifies sweetness, humility, and motherhood. They’re an especially fitting gift for your mother on her birthday!
The hawthorn flower is unique. It’s a small white or pink flower that is typically seen blooming on a plant or bush instead of in a bouquet. However, its red berries are sometimes used as fillers in bouquets to add color and texture.
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June Birth Flowers: Rose and Honeysuckle
June’s birth flowers are the rose and honeysuckle.
As summer begins, no bloom better signifies the beauty and sweetness of the new season than the rose. Available in a rainbow of colors, there are more than 100types of roses. The rose is asymbolof devotion and love, and the various colors of roses carry their own meanings, from passionate love (red) to friendship (yellow).
You may not be as familiar with honeysuckle because honeysuckle flowers grow on shrubs or flowering vines and are not frequently used in bouquets. Honeysuckle flowersattract butterflies, so plant one in your yard (or the yard of someone with a June birthday) if you enjoy the colorful critters!
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July Birth Flowers: Larkspur and Water Lily
The July birth flowers are the larkspur and water lily. Larkspurs come in a wide range of vibrant colors including indigo, purple and pink. Pink larkspurs symbolize fickleness, while white ones symbolize happiness. Generally, larkspurs symbolize positivity and love.
Water lilies are a unique lotus-like flower. They symbolize purity or rebirth. You can find water lilies floating atop the water from May to early September Each flower only lasts about four days until it settles under the water, which makes these flowers even more unique and beautiful.
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August Birth Flowers: Gladiolus and Poppy
The August birth flowers are the gladiolus and poppy. The gladiolus is sometimes referred to as the sword lily because of its long, skinny shape. The bold bloom can be found in an assortment of colors including red, pink, orange, yellow, purple and white and it’s a symbol of strength of character, remembrance and sincerity.
The poppy is known for its bright red color. It is worn on Armistice Day in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada and France, as a symbol of remembrance for those that lost their lives in World War I. The poppy also symbolizes imagination.
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September Birth Flowers: Aster and Morning Glory
September’s birth flowers are the aster and morning glory. Also known as starworts or frost flowers, asters are a symbol of all-powerful love, affection and wisdom. Asters are available in many colors, but are most commonly found with pink, white, red, mauve or lilac blooms.
Like the aster, the morning glory also symbolizes unrequited love. They flowers petals open in the morning, hence the name morning glory, to show off their beautiful, star-like centers.
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October Birth Flowers: Marigold and Cosmos
October’s birth flowers are the marigold and cosmos. With its golden blooms that match the color of autumn leaves, it’s no wonder the marigold is fitting for this fall month. Marigolds symbolize fierce love, passion and creativity. In addition to their beauty, marigolds also have a long tradition of being used medicinally to heal inflammation and skin problems.
Cosmos flowers represent peace and tranquility. They come in bright colors like orange, pink and purple. They also attract bees, so are a great flower to grow to draw pollinators to your garden!
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November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
November’s birth flower is the bright and cheery chrysanthemum. Often simply referred to as mums, you can find this bloom in a wide range of sizes and colors, including the most common pink, white, yellow and red varieties. Chrysanthemums most commonlysymbolizeloyalty and honesty, though meanings can vary depending on the flower’s color.
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December Birth Flowers: Narcissus and Holly
December’s birth flowers are the narcissus and holly. The narcissus is symbolic of good wishes, hope and wealth. Narcissus is actually a genus of flowers, and daffodil is the common name for any of the plants that fall into this genus. Narcissus flowers are known for their trumpet-like center.
Holly is a convenient birth plant for December, since it is so popular around the holidays. It symbolizes protection and defense. Instead of a traditional bouquet, gift a wreath to help the recipient celebrate their birthday all month long!
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