What is a birth flower? A handy guide for discovering your birthday bloom

Carnation

A beautiful fringe-petaled flower ranging vastly in colour from reds to yellows, carnations are a staple in floristry across much of the world. The carnation is often referred to as the 'flower of the gods' and is thought to represent strong feelings of love and admiration, making it a go-to for romance and remembrance gifting. 

Violet & Iris

February is a notoriously cold month, with very few flowers blooming in this particular part of the winter season. Violets, however, tend to thrive in the coldest months in their native habitat of dense woodlands, and their deep purple and blue hues can be seen peppering the British countryside as we edge further into spring. Violets typically have heart-shaped leaves and rounded petals, and come in a variety of shades including yellow and cream. They are considered to symbolise modesty, faithfulness, and wisdom.

Similar to violets, irises grow naturally in the drier regions of the Northern Hemisphere and are seen to thrive more in the colder months. Irises tend to have three to six downturned petals and three petals that point upwards. Like violets, they display glorious purple tones which stand out among the gloomy winter landscapes.

Daffodil

As one of the first flowers to bloom at the beginning of spring, the daffodil is thought to symbolise new beginnings and prosperity. Traditionally appearing in varying shades of sunny yellow and soft cream, daffodils are made up of six petals and a trumpet-shaped centre with intricate frills to the petal edges. One of the sunniest flowers to bloom in the UK, daffodils are perfect for filling homes with splashes of spring cheer, to symbolise the warmer months being just around the corner.

Daisy

Another early spring bloomer, daisies are sweet little flowers likely to pepper grassy land from April through to September. Daisies feature silky soft thin white petals and a sunny yellow centre, adding to a classic spring landscape of pretty pastels and warm florals. Daisies represent innocence, purity, and transformation, and are renowned for bringing joy to those who pass by them.

Lily

With dainty, bell-shaped white flowers and a strong, sweet smell, the lily flower is known for spreading wildly across English countryside in spring, given the right conditions. Representing honour, purity, and true bliss, these flowers have become a classic symbol for late spring and the early signs of summer, and are often planted in home gardens as simple foliage due to their enchanting aroma. 

Rose

Long revered as a classic symbol of romance and true love, roses come in a wealth of sizes, types, and colours. Shades such as white, pink, and red tend to be the most popular for gifting, and are often given to friends or loved ones as a sign of adoration. As June is known as the perfect month for roses to bloom to their full potential, they have long been considered the primary birth flower for this sunny summer month, particularly those with a fresh pink hue.

Delphinium (Larkspur)

Just as sunny July brings joy and satisfaction to many, delphinium flowers are a symbol of grace, positivity, and joy. Also known as larkspur, delphiniums are a member of the buttercup family and tend to bloom in early summer, growing in groups along a single stalk. Each delphinium flower has five petals and a pointed spur in the centre. These sweet purple and blue flowers make a bold addition to a summer garden given their striking height and stunning colour.

Gladiolus

Associated with the month of August due to mid-to-late summer being their prime time to bloom, gladiolus are gorgeous, colourful florals, and are a member of the iris family. These trumpet-shaped flowers bloom from a large stalk that can reach between 2 and 5 feet tall and come in a rainbow of pretty colours such as white, pink, red, purple, and yellow. The flower has long been associated with healing and is often used to symbolise strength, passion, and integrity.

Aster

A slightly more unusual member of the daisy family, the aster flower is known for providing a much-needed pop of colour to a garden as late summer transitions into early autumn. Aster flowers resemble larger daisies with soft, thin petals in white, yellow, pink, purple, red, or blue, and feature a sweet white or yellow centre. They are often associated with love, patience, and faith and are often gifted to friends and family to add a pop of colour into the home as the daylight hours begin to deplete. 

Marigold

Easy to grow in domestic gardens and known to continually provide vibrant colour until the first autumn frost, marigolds are often associated with the month of October due to their warm hues. Often in glowing orange and yellow shades, these abundant flowers feature a collection of rich autumnal petals bunched tightly together. Marigolds are known for symbolising creativity, peace, and warmth, making them perfect for gifting to those October babies.

Chrysanthemum

Known to be the flower most associated with autumn, chrysanthemums provide the last true pop of colour in a domestic garden. Often used to autumn displays, chrysanthemums have a long history of symbolism to compassion, friendship, and joy, making them a wonderful flower for gifting to special friends. In a daisy-like shape with slim, pointed petals and a dense centre, these flowers are perfect for lending a splash of colour to the colder, darker months of the year. The original colour of the chrysanthemum was golden, but through cultivation the flower now comes in a variety of shades such as yellow, orange, white, purple, pink, and red. 

Narcissus & Poinsettia

Commonly known as hallmarks of the holiday season, narcissus flowers and poinsettia plants are famous for their association with Christmas. Narcissus flowers grow from paperwhite bulbs and bloom into stunning white flowers much akin to daffodils. They're known to represent hope, wealth, protection, and produce fragrant white blooms and as many as a dozen flowers per bulb. 

Poinsettias are actually known as plants, rather than flowers, and feature heavily in winter due to their stunning ruby red shades. Featuring large red leaves that surround the flowering part of the plant, poinsettias are thought to symbolise success and good cheer, making them perfect for the party season.