Most everyone is aware that there are precious stones assigned to each month of the year called “birth stones.” What many don’t know is that there is also a flower assigned to each month. Each has a special meaning and reason for being the birth flower for that month.
A fun idea that many flower gardeners are now doing is creating birth flower showcases in their gardens – either one for themselves or one for each member of their family or circle of friends. Some community flower gardens do the same, with a show piece arrangement for each gardener participating.
Birth Flowers By Month
Here is a list of each birth flower, by the month, along with a few remarks on why it represents that month of the year.
January Birth Flower– Carnation and Snowdrop
As with most birth flowers, these originated from Roman tradition. The carnation is represented because they stand for distinction, love, and fascination. Red or pink are the most commonly-associated birth carnations for January. The snowdrop is chosen because it is a flower that signifies the end of winter and a new beginning.
February Birth Flower – Violet
The violet represents modesty, devotion and reservation; all things that those born in February are thought to possess. Violets traditionally come in either purple (their namesake) or white. The purple variety is the birth month flower. The violet and the month of February are closely intertwined with the Zodiac sign of Aquarius as well.
March Birth Flower– Jonquil or Daffodil
The jonquil (more commonly known to us as the daffodil) is the birth flower for March, signifying friendship, renewal, and angelic beauty. These are all traits associated with March, which is usually the first month of spring for most parts of the northern hemisphere.
April Birth Flower– Sweet Pea and Daisy
Both flowers represent the month, with one coming from the Greeks and Romans and the other from the Victorian era. The sweet pea is a Victorian choice and signifies happiness, blissfulness, and farewell. April is the first month of solid springtime and so all of these things are part of it. The daisy is a simpler, less subtle flower prized by many. These signify innocence, certainty, and modesty.
May Birth Flower – Lily of the Valley
The Lily of the Valley represents beauty, refinement, kindness and humility. It’s a flower signifying “completion” for lovers about to wed and May was traditionally the month of weddings in many western cultures.
June Birth Flower – Rose
Roses are the most-recognized and most commonly-cultivated flowers in the world. The rose as a June birth flower came about in the Victorian era, when June weddings became more common. The rose is equated with love, honor, devotion, and desire (depending on color). Thus, it is the lover’s flower.
July Birth Flower– Larkspur
The larkspur signifies lightness, a bubbly personality, and passion. This exemplifies those born in the summer and the summertime itself.
August Birth Flower– Gladiolus
Those born in August are said to be sincere and strong, traits of the gladiolus flower. August is the final month of high summer and is when this flower most often blooms its brightest.
September Birth Flower – Aster and Morning Glory
The aster stands for love, faith, and intelligence while the morning glory signifies intelligence and awareness. The two flowers are closely associated in this month and the people born in it.
October Birth Flower – Marigold
This flower stands for compassion and heartache. Often associated with funerals, the marigold is the October birth month flower because October is usually the beginning of harvest and the end of summer.
November Birth Flower – Chrysanthemum
This flower is an indication of happiness, love, and compassion. November is usually harvest month for most northern hemisphere cultures and a time of plenty. In many western cultures, it is also when arranged marriages or proposals would take place.
December Birth Flower – Narcissus
This flower is about being faithful, respectful, and modest. December is the darkest month of the year, but also rings in the solstice. This flower represents the dark of winter and the faith required to get through it.
Arranging Birth Flower Beds
Flower beds can be arranged in many ways and birth flowers are usually arranged in displays to highlight that month’s flower. Sectional gardens often focus on individual flowers in each section. How you do it is up to your imagination, but the use of birth month flowers is an excellent way to begin the design of a lovely and meaningful flower garden.
Want to learn more about using birth flowers in flower beds?
Don’t miss these great extension center resources:
Flower Garden Design Basics from Cornell University
Designing Flower Beds from University of Illinois Extension
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