Learn about birth month flowers and traditional meanings. It's a great way to create personal bouquets for friends and family.
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We all know our birthstones, but did you know that there are birth flowers too? These designations go back to the Victorian times, when floriography was very popular. Many of the choices are tied to the flower's time of bloom.
The obvious use is to give a bouquet to a person of their birth flowers on their birthday. However, some people today have used them as artwork for tattoos. Further, birth flower jewelery is a popular choice in the modern day.
Below you will find a list of birth month flowers. Many sites will state a primary and a secondary flower, although I've chosen to keep it simple with only one per month.
More Flower & Plant Symbolism: Tussie Mussies.....Plant Symbolism.....Plants Associated with Christmas
January - Carnations
Carnations are one of the most widely found flowers in the grocery store and the floral shop. In general, carnations mean love and gratitude. However, other meanings depend on the color. For example, red stands for love and passion, while white is a sign of unconditional love.
February - Iris
In floriography, overall, the iris flower symbolises faith and courage. Like others, the color may dictate a slightly different message. For example, black irises symbolize elegance and mystery.
March - Daffodil
By March, many daffodils are among the first flowers to bloom. It's no wonder they symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. Daffodils can stay fresh for up to six weeks in a vase, making them a popular choice for cut flower arrangements. They are typically yellow, but they can also be found in shades of yellow, white, and light pink.
April - Daisy
The humble daisy is a symbol of innocence and purity as a nod to childhood when you probably gathered wild flower daisies from fields and meadows. Daisies are said to be one of the oldest flowers on earth, dating back to 3000BC from carved stone drawings.
May - Lily of the Valley
Many people like to use Lily of the Valley in wedding bouquets. The small clusters of delicate flowers are so charming and also very fragrant. They symbolize joy and sweetness and are usually in bloom in early May.
June - Rose
Roses are at their best in early summer. Like carnations, the meaning of roses depends on the colors, with red symbolizing true love, whereas yellow is a symbol of friendship.
July - Larkspur
The airy country cottage feel of larkspur corresponds well with its meaning, a beautiful spirit. Many group them together with delphinium flowers, which symbolize positivity.
August - Poppy
Poppies are a symbol of remembrance and hope. The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I. The California poppy shown above is considered a symbol of resilience.
September - Aster
Aster flowers are the most colorful flowers in late summer and into fall when everything else is dying back. They symbolize wisdom, patience, and enduring love.
October - Cosmos
Colorful cosmos flowers are a symbol of harmony and order. They come in the cool shades as shown above and also warmer colors such as yellow, golds, and orange. A great garden flower that blooms over and over during the growing season.
November - Peony
The main flower for November is the Chrysanthemum. Mums are very popular in the fall. However, as I love peonies and they are the secondary birth month flower, I have shown it here. Peonies are very popular for weddings and symbolize luck, prosperity, and healing. The word “peony" comes from the Latin word paeony, which is derived from the Greek word pauon, meaning “to heal."
December - Paperwhite
The final flower is the paperwhite, aka narcissus. A beautiful small fragrant white flower that blooms in winter, symbolizing hope and renewal for the coming year.
The meanings and symbolism are many and somewhat different depending on the source you find. However, the overall idea of presenting someone with the gift of flowers can never be bad. Add a little card with the symbolism to make it that much more special.
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