Forget your zodiac sign!
What’s Your Birth Flower?
January
Carnation & Snowdrop
Carnations can bloom in the winter months as long as conditions are mild. They symbolize admiration, love, and distinction. This flower’s simple blooms make it a great choice as a filler flower in your garden. Carnations are a common flower used in bouquets that you would find at the florists. Carnations should have 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. If you see petals begin to turn yellow then you are probably overwatering! You should remove any dying leaves or stems to promote new growth. Tall varieties of carnations will need support stakes.
Snowdrops also bloom between January and March. When growing in the wild, Snowdrops typically grow in large patches. These droopy flowers symbolize hope and rebirth, the perfect flower to represent January! Snowdrop bulbs will become dormant in late spring and will bloom again next January. The best time to plant snowdrops is in early fall! Snowdrops do not attract pests. Rabbits, deer, chipmunks, and mice are not likely to munch on these flowers!
February
Violet & Primrose
No more roses for Valentine’s Day! Violets symbolize modesty, faithfulness, and virtue. In the Victorian age, violets were used as a declaration to always remain true. Today, violets remind us of thoughtfulness and loyalty, as well as dependability. The violet can be grown indoors all year round and outdoors during warmer seasons. Violets are very susceptible to insect damage. They like bright indirect light rather than direct sunlight. Violets are edible as well! They’re lightly sweet to the taste, despite having a stronger perfume. They are primarily used for their beautiful, widely varying colors. The flowers can be used in salads, desserts, floating in iced drinks, or made into ice cubes and more! The leaves can also be eaten in salads as well. They’re best when young and tender, they can be cooked like spinach. The violets can also be crystallized as well, or used in simple syrups and jellies for a vibrant, purple touch
Next in February, we have the Primrose. Primrose is an edible flower that can add a fun accent color to your pastries. Primrose symbolizes young love. This flower originated from Europe. Primroses do best in moderate to cool temperatures—intense heat can cause wilting and plant failure. They grow best at temperatures between 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and don't much care for temperatures above 80 degrees. Primrose is a great plant to grow indoors or outdoors.
March
Daffodil
Is there a better way to kick off the spring months than with the beautiful pop of yellow that daffodils bring? The iconic spring daffodil symbolizes unparalleled love; it serves as a reminder that the sun is always shining. Daffodils have color varieties like white, orange, and pale yellow. These bright yellow beauties are one of the earliest spring-blooming flowers. Daffodils are a perennial that grows in most areas of North America. These plants do not admire hot weather. They should be planted in the fall months so that they are ready to bloom in the spring months. Daffodils contain oxalic acid which works as a repellant for rodents and other pests. If winters are harsh in your area be sure to plant your bulbs at least three inches deep.
April
Daisy & Sweet Pea
The classic daisy symbolizes purity, true love, and innocence. There are a few types of daisies with colors ranging from white to pink. These flowers used to be called “day’s eye” because of the way the petals close around the yellow center at night and open back up during the day. Daisies are easy and reliable growers and are garden favorites. They are also drought-tolerant and hardy flowers, that will continue to grow for years to come. They are very low maintenance and can be planted as a perennial or as an annual
Sweet Peas symbolize blissful pleasure. Known for their sweet fragrance, sweet peas are a great bouquet to keep in your home. The sweet pea originated in Southwest Italy as well as the islands in the Mediterranean. Sweet pea has been cultivated for hundreds of years. They attract pollinators and work well as a cover crop for veggie gardens. Occasional pests of sweet peas include aphids, mites, moths, slugs, and snails. These sweet flowers enjoy full sun and warm climates but will do okay in shaded areas. It is important to prune your sweet peas to encourage branching and expansion of the plant.
May
Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn
A great Mother’s Day bouquet would not be put together without the dainty Lily of the Valley that symbolizes sweetness, humility, and motherhood. The blossoms are white and grow grouped together on a long stem. This lily actually belongs to the asparagus family! This flower may look dainty, but don’t be fooled! It can quickly spread and cover large areas of ground. It is best to plant Lily of the Valley in the fall months so that it is all ready to go by spring. This plant greatly enjoys the shade and is commonly planted underneath trees away from other plants. That being said, it is a good idea to plant this flower away from other plants because it will most likely take over! This flower is highly toxic when ingested! When berries form on this plant, keep an eye on children and pets that may be tempted for a bite, as it contains cardiac glycosides that impact the heart. Illness and sometimes death can occur if these plants are ingested.
The Hawthorn flower is a small white or pink flower that has red berries that are sometimes used for fillers in bouquets. You will typically see this flower blooming on a tree rather than in a bouquet. Hawthorn trees have thorns that can reach up to three inches long! Not like the flowers from Lily of the Valley, the berries from a Hawthorn tree are in fact edible. These prickly trees require full sun, especially when they are grown for their berries.
June
Rose & Honeysuckle
There are over 100 types of roses that are available in a huge variety of colors. Roses symbolize devotion and love. The many colors of roses carry many different meanings from friendship to deep passionate love. These flower OG’s have been known to be difficult to take care of, yet they are resilient! It is very important to water roses regularly with about two inches of water weekly. Much like your dog, roses need adequate grooming to remain healthy. Pruning your rose is very important to promote new growth.
Honeysuckles grow in shrubs or vines. If you would like to attract butterflies to your garden, be sure to plant these sweet-smelling flowers. These ladies are quite heat-tolerant which is something sought after in summer gardens. Honeysuckle vines prefer full sun but can handle some shade here and there. Honeysuckles are known to spread and are often used for ground coverage.
July
Larkspur & Water Lily
Larkspurs come in a variety of colors, with each color symbolizing something different. White symbolizes happiness and pink symbolizes fickleness. Generally, they represent love and positivity. These guys are super easygoing! They sprout easily and begin to grow as soon as the weather warms up. They do not do well in very hot climates, although they do enjoy full sun. You may need support stakes if your larkspurs begin to look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Once this beautiful lotus-like flower blooms, it only lasts a few days floating on the water before it sinks under. Water lilies symbolize purity and rebirth. These lilies are often used to accent backyard ponds and fountains. In the wild, fish will use water lilies as cover from birds and other predators. Fish will also use them for shade protection in the hot months of summer.
August
Gladiolus & Poppy
The bold gladiolus blooms in a long skinny shape. It is sometimes referred to as the sword lily! It comes in a variety of colors. The gladiolus symbolizes remembrance, sincerity, and strength of character. These sassy-looking flowers originate from Central Africa, South Africa, and Eurasia. These ladies have beautiful bright blossoms on their front side, but from their backside, they’re not much to look at as their flowers only grow on one side! Hummingbirds also like to stop by and enjoy these beautiful summer flowers!
Poppies are known for their bright colors. The poppy is worn on Armistice Day in the United Kingdom, Canada, and France in remembrance of those lost in World War I. This meaningful flower is used to commemorate fallen warriors on Veteran's Day in the United States as well. The poppy symbolizes imagination, death, and rebirth. In the 12th century, white poppies were planted on prior battlefields and completely took over. Poppies have been used medicinally and in culinary forms for centuries. Have you ever wondered where that poppy seed muffin you had for breakfast got its seeds? Now you know! Poppies enjoy the sunshine and an average amount of water.
September
Aster & Morning Glory
Asters are a symbol of all-powerful love, affection, and wisdom. They are also known as frost flowers or starworts. These daisy-like flowers are found in a large assortment of colors. These beauties are in season from August through October. These perennials are fast-growing and can become permanent! Once they are established, they should last many years. It takes years for these plants to fully mature and they need plenty of space from other plants to allow their roots to expand. Asters enjoy the full sun and are not a fan of shaded areas.
Like Asters, Morning Glories also represent unrequited love. The flower earned its name from its petals opening up in the morning to show its beautiful center. These fast-growing vines are actually a part of the sweet potato family! Butterflies and hummingbirds are huge fans of the lovely and fragrant Morning Glory. These blue beauties are native to Mexico and South America. Morning Glory’s should be planted by seed after the last frost of spring and will likely return next year. Many gardeners find this plant too aggressive, taking over the ground area and other plants.
October
Marigold & Cosmos
Similar to the color of the Autumn leaves, the marigold is the perfect flower to kick off the months of fall. They symbolize fierce love, passion, and creativity. Marigolds have also been used medicinally to help with inflammation and skin problems. These autumn-themed flowers are considered one of the most reliable of all bedding flowers. These lush flowers reach maturity within a few months of planting. They are very low maintenance and are known for not attracting pests. Marigolds enjoy full sun, neutral soil, weekly deep waterings, and love the heat.
Cosmos symbolize peace and tranquility. These bright flowers attract bees, and work great to draw in pollinators! They come in pink, purple, and orange colors. Just sprinkle some seeds in your garden and you can expect these babies to sprout in the weeks to come. They can be stubborn to germinate, but once they bloom they will continue to grow throughout the fall season. These bright flowers are known to attract bees, butterflies, and birds. It is recommended that the cosmos be a potted plant in the United States because they are known to be quite invasive. The stubborn cosmo is drought-tolerant, can handle bad soil, and overall can take some neglect.
November
Chrysanthemum
These cheerful flowers are often referred to as “mums”. Chrysanthemums bloom in a variety of colors with each color symbolizing something different. Usually, they symbolize loyalty and honesty. These vibrant flowers are a true symbol of fall. They can be grown as annuals if planted early enough in the spring to allow the roots to expand by fall. These flowers are native to Asia and Northeastern Europe. Don’t let these puffy flowers be tempting for your pets because they are toxic to animals if consumed. Chrysanthemums enjoy full sun and rich, moist soil. These colorful puffs can grow up to 3 feet tall!
December
Narcissus & Holly
Narcissus are typically known for their trumpet-like center and are often referred to as daffodils as they are in the same genus. Narcissus is one of the many species of Daffodil. The origin of this flower is unknown but its name is linked to the Greek word for intoxicated and is tied to a myth of a boy who fell in love with his own reflection. Narcissus symbolizes wishes, hope, and wealth. They are native to Europe and North Africa and have been cultivated for hundreds of years.
Popular around the holidays, holly makes a great flower for the month of December. Holly symbolizes protection and defense. In the summer months, holly will bloom with small white flowers. When pollinated the small flowers will become the notorious bright red berries that we see everywhere during the holidays. It is not recommended to consume these vibrant berries as they are mildly toxic to humans and animals. Holly enjoys full sun and moist, acidic soil.
