What is your Birthday Flower?

There are flowers that symbolize each month. Look below for a list of the traditional birthday flowers!

January - Carnation

In the middle ages, the carnation symbolized fertility. Later, the flower become the flower of the "working class" in England. Today it is available in many beautiful colours, and it is still one of the longest lasting flowers around. The white carnation especially has a lovely cinnamon scent.

February - Violet

This tiny, fragrant flower grows vigorously in the wild. It is associated with innocent love and affection. Cut violets were a staple in flower shops in the early 1900's, but are quite rare now. This photo is of an African Violet plant, which is available year-round.

 March - Daffodil

A herald of spring, the bright yellow daffodil is a member of the narcissus family. Never cut the stem and put it directly in a vase with other flowers - the cut will secrete noxious sap. Better to keep them uncut, or in a vase by themselves. Or keep the potted "Tete-a-tete" miniature daffodils in the house - they'll cheer up everyone who sees them.

April - Daisy or Sweet Pea

The sweet pea grows wild or in gardens and blooms all summer long, so it represents lasting pleasure. They are available in the shop for a brief season. Florists usually have daisy chrysanthemums in stock in white, yellow and lots of other colours.

May - Lily of the Valley

Delicate white bells and a heavenly scent. It represents luck in love. Usually only available for a few weeks in May, although they can be imported from Holland off-season.

June - Rose

Truly the Queen of flowers. Cultivated since ancient times, and available in a myriad of colours. Roses from Ecuador have large heads, many petals and strong stems. There are new varieties that have a lovely garden rose scent.

 July - Delphiniuim or Larkspur

The backbone of an English country garden, tall and graceful. Available in rich purple, bright blue, pink, white and two-tone.

August - Gladiolus

With their sword-like appearance, they are named after a gladiator's spear. Long lasting, colourful and especially elegant when several of the same colour are grouped in a tall vase.

September - Aster

There are many varieties - Matsumoto asters are larger than one inch in diameter, while the Montecasino aster (shown) are smaller, with many blooms on a stem. In the wild, they are sometimes called September Wheat (or Weed... but we don't think they're weeds!)

October - Marigold or Calendula

Like the sunflower (in the photo), the marigold follows the path of the sun. Not at all a pretty scent, but bright gold and orange blooms. Mainly used as an annual in the garden, but sometimes available as a cut flower. We don't often have marigolds in the flower shop, but sunflowers are a great alternative - bright, happy and attention-getting.

November - Chrysanthemum

Now available year round, the chrysanthemum is a favourite for its longevity and variety of colours and shapes. A noble and revered flower in China.

December - Narcissus

Normally these don't bloom until the spring, but they are easily forced to bloom early indoors. With their strong fragrance and pure white colour, they are often used in Christmas decorations.