Most people know their birthstone, but not their birth flower. In fact, the average person isn’t even aware that there’s a flower that corresponds with each month. Most months even have a couple of blossoms.
Here are all the flowers for birthdays, January through December.
How are Birth Flowers Used?
Birth flowers are welcome gifts for almost any occasion. Not only are flowers lovely on their own, but a bouquet that represents a person’s birth month takes the gift to another level. After all, this is a personalized gesture that can also spark good conversation, particularly if the recipient is unaware that birth flowers exist.
Birth Month Flowers
Some cultures differ when it comes to which flowers should correspond with each month, and some flowers are not available in every region. Thus, some months have multiple birth flowers. The following includes the most traditional primary flower and, where applicable, the secondary flower.
January
The primary birth flower that opens the year is the carnation, followed by the snowdrop. The carnation, which is native to the Mediterranean region, is frequently referred to as the “flower of the gods.” While most carnations early on were peach and pale pink, they are now available in a host of colors and bi-colors.
The snowdrop flower, meanwhile, usually shows up in late winter or early spring and is native to the cooler areas of southern Europe and Asia Minor.
February
For this month, the violet is the primary flower – not the red rose for Valentine’s Day! — with the primrose listed as secondary. Violets with their purple-blue petals are some of the first plants to bloom each spring. The primrose, which originated in Europe, may appear in violet, red, pink, yellow, or white.
March
People born in March have the daffodil as their birth flower. Native to northern Europe, “daffs” traditionally are either yellow, white, or a combination. There are some newer varieties of the flower with the trumpet- or bell-shaped crown that are pink and orange.
April
April gets the daisy plus the sweet pea as its secondary flower. Native to Europe and Africa, the daisy is actually comprised of two flowers – the disc floret and the ray floret (the petals). Together, they represent innocence and pure love. The sweet pea, which is related to legumes and other beans, is found in a range of colors and is native to Italy.
May
May is represented by the lily of the valley and the hawthorn. The lily, with its little bell-shaped white flowers, symbolizes purity and sweetness and is native to Eurasia. The hawthorn is a member of the rose family and may be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
June
June babies get the rose as their main flower, followed by the honeysuckle. The vaunted rose – perhaps the most well-known flower – has long been a symbol of love and touts more than 100 species. The honeysuckle, native to the Northern Hemisphere, emerges in the spring with four petals that grow in pairs.
July
The main flower here is the larkspur followed by the water lily. The beautiful purple-blue larkspur, which symbolizes dedication and positivity, grows wild in the U.S. and Europe, can grow up to three feet tall. The water lily, with its hardy and tropical varieties, comes in classic white as well as other colors.
August
The gladiolus and the poppy represent this late-summer month. A symbol of love and strength, the gladiolus is native to Africa, the Mediterranean, and southern Europe. Its stalks produce foliage that can reach five feet. Then there’s the poppy, which grows all over the world and has annual as well as perennial species.
September
Individuals born in September can claim the aster and morning glory as their birth flowers. A member of the daisy family, the aster comes in a myriad of colors and has long been a symbol of love, wisdom, beauty, and patience. The morning glory plants are fast-growing vines of purple and blue with leaves that are large and heart-shaped.
October
This month is represented by the marigold and the cosmos. Known for its vivid color, the marigold is native to the Americas and has a distinct fragrance that can repel pests and attract songbirds and butterflies. The cosmos bloom, which comes in several colors, is native to Mexico and is easy to grow.
November
The chrysanthemum has November to itself. Known as “mums,” the flowers are most associated with autumn, and offer the last “pop” of garden color. Native to Asia, the flower comes in a range of colors and is a member of the daisy family.
December
Rounding out the year are the narcissus and holly. Both flowers figure prominently during the holiday season. The narcissus, native to the Mediterranean region, blooms in mid-winter and has been used in perfumes. The holly is an evergreen shrub with red berries, and its branches are commonly used in holiday decorations.
