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August Has 2 Birth Flowers to Choose From—Here's What They Symbolize
By Laura Beck,
1 day ago
August birthdays are here and there’s no better way to celebrate than with the August birth flowers (yep, there are two!): the tall, striking gladiolus and the delicate poppy . These beautiful blooms are late summer at its best.
Parade spoke with two floral experts to get the inside scoop on the August birth month flowers , as well as how to best care for them.
Whether you want to celebrate your own birthday with flowers, or learn more about a loved one’s birthday blooms, you'll find all of the delightful details here. (Plus, we have some on-trend inspiration for August birth flower tattoos !)
Hannah Bonham Blackwell , founder and Lead Creative Director at Southside Blooms , explains August's floral pairing: "August has two birth flowers and they both are bursting with sunny summer colors. They are gladiolus and poppies."
These blooms capture the essence of the season, reflecting August's warm days and vibrant energy.
Gladiolus is rich in symbolism. Eka Dara , founder of Edelweiss Floral Atelier , describes its significance: "Gladiolus symbolizes strength and integrity. Each color has a specific meaning: red for love, yellow for friendship and white for remembrance."
Blackwell adds, "Gladiolus flowers stand for strength and honor. Their name, which comes from the same root word as gladiator, literally means 'little sword.' So, it's no surprise that the flower symbolizes many gladiator attributes like honor, strength of character and endurance."
"These stems, which can grow up to five feet tall, make a serious statement," Blackwell continues. "So, I think they're a great birthday gift for someone who you know is a fighter."
The gladiolus has an especially fascinating background.
"Gladiolus have been associated with Roman gladiators, and the spectators would throw Gladiolus flowers/petals to the winner,” said Dara. “With their long, pointy shape, Gladiolus have been associated with swords."
Blackwell adds an interesting detail: "These blooms have such a strong connection to their meaning that Roman gladiators used to wear them like necklaces when they went into the arena. Fans would shower the victor with additional blossoms."
Dara continues, "Gladiolus originated from Africa and appeared in Europe in the 18th century. In America, they became the most popular in the early 20th century with the creation of the American Gladiolus Society in 1910."
"The North American Gladiolus Council (yes, there really is such a thing!) believes that the Bible verse in Matthew discussing the beauty of lilies of the field is actually about the gladiolus flower," Blackwell explains, sharing a religious connection.
To keep gladiolus fresh, Dara advises: "First, remove the leaves, cut the stem at an angle and change the water every other day."
Blackwell provides more detailed care instructions: "Keep a close eye on your vase because you'll want to remove the lower flowers as they fade. This helps the remaining flowers up the stem to open up. Like with all indoor arrangements, you should cut the flower stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them into clean water. Every day, change out the water and give the stems a fresh trim. Because the stems can be quite tall, you'll want a good sturdy vase with decent weight so that it doesn't topple over."
The poppy, August's second birth flower, has its own interesting symbolism.
"Poppies symbolize remembrance, hope and a peaceful future,” shares Dara. “In ancient Egypt, the Poppy was a symbol of the God of Death, Osiris."
Blackwell adds, "Poppies symbolize remembrance which makes them a lovely flower to include in a memorial arrangement to honor a departed loved one on their birthday."
Poppies have a significant place in history, particularly related to war remembrance.
Dara notes, "Poppies are associated with WWI. Their bright red blooms germinated in the disturbed soil where battles had raged. They became a symbol of the 'No More War Movement' and they are worn to show support for the armed forces."
"The poem 'In Flanders Field' cemented the poppy's place in history,” adds Blackwell. “John McCrae, a Canadian poet, wrote this touching poem in 1915 during World War I. Many people know the first line, 'In Flanders Field the poppies blow.' About five years later, the American Legion made the poppy its official flower. Since then, you will notice people wearing it on the lapel to honor those lost in battle. In England, the red poppy specifically is worn in November to honor those lost in battle, a tradition since 1921."
How to Care for Poppies
To make sure cut poppies last as long as possible, Blackwell recommends giving them a fresh cut and then putting the ends in an inch of boiling water with the “heads facing outwards, away from the steam, letting the water cool to room temperature."
Blackwell gives similar advice, but adds that you can head the freshly cut ends with a lighter or a match. This helps to prevent the sap from leaking into the water.
Also, the variety of poppy matters. “Not all poppies have a good vase life, so make sure that you are only cutting ones from varieties like the Iceland Poppy,” says Blackwell. “Most poppy varieties are best enjoyed on the plant. They are hearty perennials in many climates and often self-seed, which make them a great (and easy!) flower to practice your green thumb on!"
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