Flowers have long been symbolic of different emotions, ceremonies, relationships, and stages of life. Many of us have a favorite flower our loved ones associate us with or a selection of flowers we sow in our yards every year because they bring us so much joy.
Birth month flowers are no different and many see them as being just as special as those floral staples - they're representative of us and make for wonderful gifts. Just like birth stones, each month of the year has a birth flower, or rather birth flowers as there are two for each month.
with a bloom to represent each month of the year. Whatever the case, we've outlined the birth month flowers right here with tips and insights from flower growing experts on how to grow them successfully.
What are birth month flowers?
. The birth month flowers are:
- Carnation and snowdrop
- Iris and violet
- Jonquil and daffodil
- Daisy and sweet pea
- Lily of the valley and hawthorn
- Honeysuckle and rose
- Larkspur and waterlily
- Poppy and gladiolus
- : Aster and morning glory
- Cosmos and marigold
- Chrysanthemum and peony
- Holly and narcissus
How to grow your own birth month flowers
. Likewise, different flowers will need to be planted at different times of year. That being said, here are our expert tips for growing birth month flowers:
January: Carnation and snowdrop
styles and can be grown either annuals or perennials.
and they're often the perennials associated with the first sign of spring.
Tips for growing carnations
- zone 10
- Late spring to summer
- in late summer.
- potting mix for flowers from Amazon.
Tips for growing snowdrops
- zone 7
- Mid winter to early spring
- in spring once blooms have faded.
- , brightening up the ground beneath trees in your yard.
February: Iris and violet
, these are stunning perennial plants that will return year-on-year with their elegant petals.
, gardening expert at Blackberry Farm. 'After they have gotten established, pluck the flower heads daily to encourage the plants to grow and spread out,' she advises.
Tips for growing irises
- zone 9
- Early spring to summer
- by planting bulbs between September and November.
- Full-sun in well-drained soil. Some varieties tolerate partial shade, and you should opt for a sheltered position to protect their tall stems from wind damage.
.
Tips for growing violets
- Zone 3 to zone 9
- Spring
- , sow seeds in fall in a sheltered spot.
- areas.
March: Jonquil and daffodil
Although they look similar, due to both belonging to the narcissus genus, jonquil and daffodil are actually two different perennials with slightly different care needs.
for this reason. Typically, jonquils are smaller than daffodils.
to encourage new blooms.
.
Tips for growing jonquils
- to zone 9
- Late winter to spring
- in fall when the ground has started to cool.
- Full sun to partial shade. It's best to plant in well-draining, fertile soil in pots or the ground.
Tips for growing daffodils
- Zone 3 to zone 9
- Late winter to spring
- in fall when the ground has cooled down.
- Full sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Many gardeners enjoy planting daffodil bulbs in lawns to add a pop of color.
April: Daisy and sweet pea
.
.
Tips for growing English daisies
- Zone 4 to zone 10
- Spring to early fall
- You can sow English daisies, or lawn daisies, directly on lawns in spring or fall.
- self-seed, so you're likely to see them crop up elsewhere in your lawn and return next year.
Tips for growing sweetpeas
- zone 8
- Summer
- , sow seeds directly in the ground in cool weather during spring or fall. You can also sow them indoors and then plant them out in mid-spring.
- that is moisture retentive, as they won't cope well with drying out completely.
May: Lily of the valley and hawthorn
. 'I don’t have to do anything to help them grow; they seem to have found their ideal spot. They may be tiny, but they are surprisingly resilient,' she adds.
.
Tips for growing lily of the valley
- Zone 3 to zone 8
- Spring
- in pots and borders alike by planting bulbs in fall after the ground has cooled.
- or for a container garden in a north-facing yard.
Tips for growing hawthorn
- Zone 3 to zone 9
- Spring
- to avoid before planting.
- Part shade to full sun. These trees are versatile and can grow well in a range of positions. To encourage hawthorns to flower, position the shrub somewhere with plenty of sunlight.
June: Honeysuckle and rose
'When growing honeysuckle, you will likely want to set up precautions to keep it
like to climb, so give them a trellis to lift themselves off of the ground,' she suggests.
to watch out for.
Tips for growing honeysuckle
- Zone 5 to zone 9
- Summer to early fall
- or the ground. Plant deciduous honeysuckles in winter and evergreen honeysuckles in spring or fall when the ground is cool.
- Partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Climbing honeysuckles do well in the majority of soil types.
.
Tips for growing roses
- Zone 5 to zone 9
- Late spring to early fall
- at any point in the year.
- Full sun with shelter from strong and cold wind. Opt for well-draining soil to help roses bloom well and ensure they have enough space to grow, as many varieties have a large spread.
rose bushes available at Nature Hills.
July: Larkspur and waterlily
, adored for its bright colors and tall spikes of blooms. Larkspur is often the name used to refer to the annual varieties of this plant. They come in blue, purple, white, and even red, adding drama to summer borders.
. They grow from rhizomes in the bottom of the pond, emerging with graceful creamy flowers, often in white and pink hues.
Tips for growing larkspur
- Zone 3 to zone 7
- Summer
- by sowing indoors in early spring. Larkspur varieties can be planted out in spring or fall when the ground has cooled from summer.
- plants that need staking.
.
Tips for growing waterlilies
- Zone 4 to zone 11
- Summer
- .
- are perfect for growing waterlilies, provided the pond gets sufficient light levels to promote blooming.
.
August: Poppy and gladiolus
, but they are also often found in cottage gardens.
for every backyard color palette.
Tips for growing poppies
- Zone 4 to zone 9
- Spring to summer
- by sprinkling seeds directly in your yard during spring or fall. They will self-seed and crop up again in the following year.
- Partial shade to full sun. These are some of the easiest flowers to grow because they will tolerate a range of growing environments. Generally, though, they prefer a sunnier spot in well-draining soil.
.
Tips for growing gladiolus
- Zone 7 to zone 10
- Summer
- by planting in spring after the risk of frost has passed.
- to identify the pH and nutrient levels in your soil.
September: Aster and morning glory
.
, trellis, or a pergola roof, too.
Tips for growing asters
- Zone 3 to zone 8
- Late summer to fall
- .
- Full sun is optimal. However, asters will tolerate light shade. They're perfect for growing in pots, so long as their soil is maintained at a consistent moisture level and not left to dry out.
Explore the asters available at Nature Hills.
Tips for growing morning glory
- Zone 2 to zone 11
- Mid to late summer
- , sowing them in indoors around four to six weeks before the last frost in spring. They can then be planted out after the last frost.
- Full sun for flowers to open. They do best with six to eight hours of sun a day, thriving in moist but well-draining soil.
October: Cosmos and marigold
by deadheading through its flowering season as its blooms fade. They're likely to self-seed if left alone, too, so you might spot some new cosmos growing in your yard the following year.
to repel pests that can't stand the scent these flowers give off.
Tips for growing cosmos
- Zone 7 to zone 11
- Mid summer to fall
- flowers by sowing seeds indoors in early spring, or directly in the ground in late spring when the late frosts have passed.
- .
Tips for growing marigolds
- Zone 2 to zone 11
- Late spring to fall
- once frost has passed and the ground has warmed up.
- to help keep pests at bay.
Marigold seeds are available an Amazon.
November: Chrysanthemum and peony
depend on when they're grown. Early-flowering mums can be enjoyed from September into October, while late-flowering mums bloom generally through October and sometimes into November.
.
Tips for growing chrysanthemums
- Zone 5 to zone 9
- Fall
- from cuttings.
- . Opt for well-draining, fertile soil for for best blooming results.
.
Tips for growing peonies
- Zone 3 to zone 8
- Mid spring to summer
- should be planted in spring.
- Full sun, tolerant of partial shade. These sun-lovers thrive in a spot where they get lots of sunlight, but will still grow well in partial shade. They should be grown in a sheltered position where possible.
December: Holly and narcissus
providing year-round interest. Its spring and summer flowers are lesser known, but appear as tiny, delicate white blooms.
, there's certainly one for every yard.
Tips for growing holly
- Zone 5 to zone 11
- Spring to summer. Berries from late fall to winter.
- , it's best to plant when the weather is milder in spring or fall. Although, you can plant holly in pots all year round.
- Full sun to partial shade. In spring and summer, holly shrubs are more likely to bloom when they are receiving plenty of sunlight.
.
Tips for growing narcissus
- Zone 3 to zone 9
- Spring
- Plant bulbs of narcissus flowers in early fall or plant potted narcissus bulbs in spring before they bloom. This will give them sufficient time to put roots down before flowering.
- This will depend on the type of narcissus you are growing. Generally speaking, however, narcissus plants prefer a sunny spot for bright blooms. It's best to grow them in a well-draining soil.
.
FAQs
Do birth month flowers bloom in the month they're associated with?
Generally speaking, the majority of birth month flowers bloom in the month they represent. However, this isn't always the case - for example, peony is a November birth month flower but it tends to bloom during spring and summer. There are also the factors of region and hardiness zone that impact when birth month flowers bloom. If you're keen to grow your own birth month flower, make sure to research when it needs to be planted and when it will bloom in your local climate.
Each one of the 24 birth month flowers is special in their own way. Whether you choose to plant them in your yard or grow them to gift to loved ones, incorporating birth month flowers in your yard makes for a unique addition to flower gardens.
to ensure growing success.
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