Birthday Flowers

In the language of flowers, these are the representatives for birth flowers for each month of the year.

JANUARY: CARNATION
Representing pride, beauty, admiration and gratitude, the carnation’s multilayered petals conceal a hardy core – an appropriate paradox for this first-month-of-the-year flower as well as the foundation for its long life as a cut flower. Originally from Asia, where they’ve been cultivated for the last 2,000 years, this winter birth flower is a richly colorful and fragrant gem that is unparalleled with its outstanding longevity.

FEBRUARY: IRIS
It is not well known that the iris's three upright petals symbolize faith, valor and wisdom. A truly majestic flower, its purple hues and soaring slender stem displays dignity and grace. This February birth flower dates back to Ancient Greece. It is named after Iris, the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow (the Greek word for Iris) who served as the link between heaven and earth.

MARCH: DAFFODIL
The arrival of the daffodil is a sure fire sign that spring has arrived. It's like a long-awaited friend returning home and a birth flower anyone would be proud to call their own. The daffodil symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. It brings many people much happiness and joy  and makes a stunning bouquet when presented in abundance.

APRIL: DAISY
Folklore has it that the daisy originated from a nymph who transformed herself into a charming but unassuming wildflower to escape unwanted attention. Its character symbolizes childlike joy and playfulness. The daisy is an appropriate birth flower for April as it captures the essence of spring’s happy-go-lucky, forever-young attitude.

MAY: LILY
Lilies date back to the ancient Greeks who held them in high reverence. In fact, they believed they sprouted from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods. The white Madonna lily represents virtue, and has been associated with the Virgin Mary for centuries. The lily of the valley, which makes its appearance in May in many northern States, conveys sweetness and humility. In the language of flowers, the Lily expresses purity of heart, majesty, and honor making it an extraordinary birth flower for May.

JUNE: ROSE
By far the most popular of cut flowers, the rose is a symbol of love and passion, and rich with history and meaning. Dating back to ancient times, folklore records that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, presented a rose to Eros. It has also been reported that in Ancient Rome, Cleopatra lured Mark Antony with a room knee-deep in rose petals. The symbolism of the rose is abundant. Each color offers a distinct meaning and the number of stems offers a singular message. Beauty and perfection is the significance of  this June birth flower.

JULY: DELPHINIUM
An open heart and ardent attachment is what symbolizes delphinium, or larkspur, which has been aptly named because of its lush, dolphin shaped flower. Because of its feeling of lightness and levity, the natural beauty,  gentle hues, and refreshing fragrance of this summer birth flower gives it a special significance.

AUGUST: GLADIOLA
Gladiola, derived its name from the Latin word for sword- "gladius". It represents strength and moral integrity. While its sword-shaped stems may imply Roman gladiators, it is the romantic flowers that are believed to be capable of piercing a heart with their beauty. In the language of flowers, infatuation is another term used to express the gladiolas magnificent flower.

SEPTEMBER: ASTER
It is easy to see why asters with their lush texture, rich hues and wildflower beauty, have had a long association with the power of magic. In fact, it was believed that the perfume of burning aster leaves could drive away evil in ancient times. In more modern times, the aster is known to be a talisman of love and an enduring symbol of elegance.

OCTOBER: MARIGOLD
With their rich, autumn-colored hues, marigolds signify affection and grace. The marigold was known to early Christians as Mary's Gold and placed by statues of the Virgin Mary. The late harvest warmth of its brilliant and colorful broad open bloom, makes the marigold a magnificent fall birth flower.

NOVEMBER: CHRYSANTHEMUM
Chrysanthemums, signify optimism and happiness. Known to be a symbol of the sun, it has held many noble positions in ancient cultures. Confucius suggested they be used as an object of meditation as the Japanese culture considered the orderly unfolding of their petals represented perfection. An interesting property of the chrysanthemum is that it has long believed that a single petal, placed at the bottom of a wine glass, will encourage a long and healthy life.