Here is my guide to the different birth flowers by month and their symbolism.
Birthday calendars are available from my online store here: Perpetual Calendar
Birth flowers & their meanings
Flowers for every month
Each month traditionally has a flower associated with it and, just like birthstones, each one has its own special meaning.
January
Snowdrop, January's birth flower
Snowdrop and Carnation
Snowdrop: Hope - Rebirth
Carnation: Devotion - Loyalty - Love
Snowdrop: The small and fragile snowdrop flower is a symbol of rebirth and overcoming obstacles in life, blooming in the winter months, between January and March they typically cover large patches, blanketing the earth with swatches of white. This gentle flower stands out in nature as a reminder that we can all make great things in life only if we set our minds to it.
Loved for its ruffled petals, wide array of colours and long vase life, the carnation is the alternative birth flower for January. It is an incredibly fitting choice too, as carnations are one of the few flowers that can thrive in cold weather. With a history dating back thousands of years, the carnation is steeped in religious symbolism too. In Christianity it is believed that the first carnation bloomed when Mary’s tears hit the earth as she wept for her son Jesus. It’s no surprise then that today the flower has become a universal symbol of motherly love, making it a popular choice for both Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day.
February
Primrose the birth flower of February
Primrose or Violet
Primrose: Youth - Femininity - Love
Violet: Virtue - Modesty - Humility
Both of these unassuming but colourful flowers represent modesty and virtue.
Primrose: Even though the Primrose is a small flower, people consider it as a symbol of protection and safety. This pretty flower is thought to be related to fairies, if you want to encourage them to come and bless your house and your family members that live there.
Violets: These vividly-coloured flowers have been around for centuries, with the ancient Greeks first cultivating them for use in herbal remedies and to sweeten wine. The flower has distinctive heart-shaped petals which is perhaps why they were once used in love potions. Violets are said to represent faithfulness, virtue and modesty, which explains where the expression ‘shrinking violet’ comes from. Because of this, those born in February are said to possess the qualities of humility and honesty.
Find your perfect flower lovers gift
March
Daffodil, birth flower of March
Daffodil and Tulip
Daffodil (Narcissi): Rebirth (New beginnings) - Faithfulness - Prosperity
Tulip: Perfect or deep love.
Daffodil. No flower embodies spring quite like the daffodil, so it’s quite appropriate that it is March’s birth flower. These cheerful yellow flowers are in the Narcissus family which is named after the character in Greek mythology who was so in love with himself he drowned in a pool of water whilst admiring his own reflection.
The narcissi genus aren’t just a symbol of vanity though, they are said to symbolise new beginnings, rebirth and rejuvenation. They also represent faithfulness due to their ability to bloom year after year.
Tulip. The tulip’s name comes from the Persian word for turban, because in full bloom tulips have a turban-like shape. Tulips are also the flower for eleven-year wedding anniversaries, as symbols of devotion and love.
April
Daisy, the birth flower of April
Daisy and Sweet Pea
Daisy: Purity - Innocence - Loyal Love
Sweet Pea: Blissful pleasure
April’s birth flower is the daisy or the sweet pea.
The humble daisy carries associations of purity, innocence and loyal love (remember the popular childhood saying ‘he loves me, he loves me not’?) It is also said to represent fertility and motherhood – the reason why it is commonly gifted to new mothers.
The name daisy is derived from ‘day’s eye’ and is so called because the flower closes at night and opens in the morning when the sun rises. This is also where the phrase ‘fresh as a daisy’ comes from.
The sweet pea signifies blissful pleasure, perhaps because of its sweet fragrance, and are a great way to make your home smell like spring! While sweet peas signify blissful pleasure, on the other hand they are also used to say good-bye.
Perhaps Shakespeare had sweet peas in mind when he wrote the immortal words: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Then too, there are the good-byes we’re glad of, such as saying so long to flies; these insects find the sweet pea’s fragrance offensive and will leave its environs in a hurry!
May
Lily of the valley, the birth flower of May
Lily of the valley and Hawthorn
Lily of the valley is traditionally seen as symbolising humility, purity, and sweetness.
The Hawthorn, a sacred tree in the Celtic tradition, represents love and motherly protection.
Those lucky enough to have been born in May can claim the exquisite Lily of the Valley as their birth flower.
A favourite of royal brides, this elegant flower has dainty bell-like flowers and a beautiful sweet fragrance. The fact that they only bloom for a short season (typically from March to May) adds to their exclusivity and appeal.
Hawthorn: In Celtic mythology it is one of the most sacred trees and symbolises love and protection. It is also known as the Fairy Tree, as fairies live under the Hawthorn as its guardians, and so was treated with great respect and care. However, politely collecting Hawthorn sprigs and flowers was allowed, especially by brides, who wore Hawthorn blossom in their hair or bouquet to symbolise their union of love.
June
Rose, birth flower of June
Rose or honeysuckle
The symbolism of the rose needs no introduction: it’s the flower of love.
Rose: love, beauty, honour, romance
Honeysuckle: devotion, happiness and affection.
Roses have been cherished for their classic beauty and fine fragrance for many centuries. The meaning of the rose depends on its colour, though generally roses are said to represent love, beauty and honour. You can also use roses to communicate different feelings depending on the number you choose to give. A single red rose for example amplifies the meaning of "I love you" whereas a bouquet of a dozen red roses carries the message of sincere gratitude and undying love.
Symbolically, the rose has more meanings than one can count!
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A pink rose means perfect happiness, while a red rose means “I love you.”
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A white rose signifies innocence, purity, and new beginnings.
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A yellow rose conveys jealousy.
Purchase a beautiful framed photo of your favourite rose on my online store
Read this article on how to care for miniature roses
Honeysuckle is also the symbol of love. In the language of flowers it stands for the bond of love, devoted love and fidelity, probably because of the Greek legend of Daphnis and Chloe. The fragrance is supposed to induce dreams of passion.
July
Delphinium, birth flower of July
Delphinium and Sunflower
The delphinium (larkspur) represents positivity, Dignity, an open heart.
Sunflower: Loyalty, positivity and strength
Delphinium, This cottage garden classic is a quintessentially British summer bloom and one of the few true blue flowers. Symbolising cheerfulness and goodwill, as well as a protective plant. Delphiniums are used to communicate positivity, encouragement and joy
However, each colour variation of the delphinium has a different meaning:
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Pink means fickleness
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White conveys a happy nature
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Purple normally represents a first love
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Blue signifies grace
Generally, larkspur indicates strong bonds of love.
Sunflowers symbolise unwavering faith and unconditional love. It's perfect to send to your loved one if you want to express exactly how much you adore him or her. Sunflowers, especially the ones grown in farms, are often photographed stretching their tall stalks and vibrant petals towards the sun.
The Sunflower’s Message Is… Stand tall and follow your dreams. Focus on what’s positive in your life and don’t let anyone get you down.
August
Poppy, the birth flower of August
Poppy and Gladiolus
Poppies: imagination, restful sleep, recovery and peace.
Gladiolus symbolise honesty, generosity and strength of personality
Poppy: Certain types of Poppies are used for tea or produce plenty of tiny black seeds used for seasoning breads and other foods. The oil pressed from those seeds is also good for cooking and cosmetics. Some Poppies grow in tough conditions too, making them a useful decorative plant.
The Poppy Flower’s Message is…
Remember those who have passed away to protect you and all that you love. Develop your own sense of inner peace so you can rest at night and get all the sleep you need. Honour the dead and cultivate your imagination for a richer life.
The striking bloom of the gladiolus is characterised by pointed tips and dramatic stalks of flowers. It’s an incredibly popular late-summer flower and is available in a wide range of colours.
August’s birth flower gets its name from the Latin ‘gladius’, meaning ‘sword’, which is why you may have heard it called ‘sword-lily’. The name in fact is a reference to the sword-swinging gladiators of ancient Rome. Back then, when gladiators literally fought to the death in the arena, the victor was showered in gladioli. It is for this reason that gladioli are said to embody strength, generosity and moral integrity.
September
Birth flowers of September
Dahlia (or the Aster)
Dahlia: Grace, strength, commitment
Aster is traditionally associated with wisdom, faith and valour
Dahlia: Some cultures use it to represent diversity since each petal fits seamlessly into the whole head.
The Dahlia Flower’s Message Is… Celebrate what makes you different. Seek out the new pleasures in life and keep moving through the challenges instead of letting them hold you back. Discover what the world holds for you, and watch out for pitfalls along the way.
September’s alternative birth flower is the Aster which is said to represent both love and daintiness. Reminiscent of a daisy, the aster is named after the Greek word for ‘star’ and, if you look at the shape of the flower, it’s clear to see why. Asters are mainly symbols of powerful love. Perhaps because of their positive symbolism, according to folklore they were once burned to ward off serpents.
Asters add a punch of colour to the late summer and early fall landscape and require minimal care.
October
Cosmos, the birth flower of October
Cosmos and Marigold
Cosmos represents order, tranquility, and balance.
Marigold is associated with warmth, love, and creativity.
Cosmos: Cosmos – the flower of October! Spanish priests planted cosmos flowers in gardens during their missions. Apparently, they were so impressed by the flower’s evenly placed petals, that they gave it a name ‘Cosmos’. It is a Greek word meaning ‘order and harmony of the universe’.
Cosmos is the October birth and the second wedding anniversary flower. As a symbol of a second wedding anniversary, it represents not what perfect love should look like, but reveals the power of love that lies within the second year of marriage.
Spiritual people believe that the cosmos flower is associated with the throat chakra.
They believe that it helps those who have difficulty expressing thoughts or have a fear of public speaking. This image is related to the ‘bringing the order to chaos’ concept, which comes from the name of the cosmos flower.
With their golden blooms and spicy scent, marigolds are a favourite with many keen gardeners. As one of autumn’s hardiest flowers, the marigold is said to represent a stubborn determination to succeed. If your birthday is in October, you’re probably driven, passionate and creative – just like your birth flower.
The bright orange and yellow hues also represent the beauty and warmth of the rising Sun, and its power to resurrect.
Today, we often focus more on sunny colours of the marigold, representing optimism and prosperity.
November
Chrysanthemum, the birth flower for November
Chrysanthemum
This month has just one birth flower, signifying happiness, optimism, loyalty and friendship.
First cultivated in China in the 15th century BC, the chrysanthemum has a long and fascinating history. Today it is one of the world’s most popular cut-flowers, owing to its variety and versatility.
Chrysanthemums come in a whole host of different colours, each one with their own symbolic meaning. Typically though, November’s birth flower represents friendship and compassion. Chrysanthemums are also thought to bring good luck and joy into the home.
In Japan, the flower is so revered it has a special day dedicated to its honour. Chrysanthemum Day, also known as the Festival of Happiness, is celebrated on 9th September annually.
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A red chrysanthemum means “I love you.”
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A white chrysanthemum means innocence, purity, and pure love.
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A yellow chrysanthemum means slighted love.
Gardening with chrysanthemums.
Chrysanthemums are perennials. After they finish blooming in Autumn, mulch them with several inches of straw to protect them from the cold.
December
Holly, the birth flower for December
Protection, peace and defence
A real symbol of the season, it’s no surprise that the holly is the birth flower for December. Though technically a foliage and not a flower, the glossy green leaves and bright red berries of the holly are synonymous with Christmas spirit
In terms of symbolism, the holly has always had powerful connotations. In Pagan times it was seen as not only a symbol of fertility but as an effective charm to ward off witches and ill fortune. For Christians the thorny foliage and blood-red berries make the holly a symbol of the suffering of Jesus Christ.
Birthday calendars are available from my online store here: PERPETUAL CALENDAR
Do you have a favourite or personal birth flower that is special to you?
I'd love to know! Let me know in the comments below.
4 Comments
Mar 6, 2024, 3:09:08 AM
Susan Phelps - This is so lovely to hear! And I'm delighted that you have found this information useful and interesting. Flowers are incredible for bringing back
precious memories and remembering loved ones. Thank you so much for sharing x
Mar 4, 2024, 1:23:05 AM
Margaret Holdsworth - Wonderful to read about Birth flowers & their meanings, so "Thank You" for all this marvellous info. From now on, will choose to give "appropriate" flowers to all our family & friends. My favourite flowers are Frangipani, Carnations, Nasturtiums and Marigolds, as they bring back so many happy memories for me of my childhood in Africa with my late beloved Mum, Dad & Brother. I also love Fuchsias, Freesias, Honeysuckle & dozens more ...My hubby's all time favourites are Irises - all types, plus Dahlias & Chrysanthemums. They remind him of his late Mum and Dad. Dad grew so many in their garden - he was a Nurseryman - owned his own business for many years - and grew so many beautiful Flowers, plants and also fruit & vegetables. My hubby and his late elder brother often helped Dad and sometimes drove the fresh flowers, Fruit & Veg down to Covent Garden Market in London in the very early hours of the morning. A job they loved doing to help their Dad and his business.
Jan 11, 2024, 2:37:17 AM
Susan Phelps - I am sorry for your loss. What a beautiful and poignant memorial for Barrie and such a charming way to remember him. Thank you for sharing x
Jan 10, 2024, 11:44:51 AM
Gillian Tiffany - At my husbands funeral we gave out small bags with snowdrops in as a memorial for people to plant . They are now beginning to flower and so many friends still let me know when they flower and remember Barrie . It is still after five years very comforting. It was my daughter in laws idea !