Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Parade
September Has 2 Birth Flowers To Choose From—Here's Exactly What They Symbolize
By Laura Beck,
2 days ago
As the days grow shorter and the air chillier, September means the beginning of fall is nearby. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are now on the menu and autumn babies are getting ready to party. And there's no better way to celebrate than with September’s birth flowers : the vibrant aster and the delicate morning glory. These blooms not only sing September in the most glorious way, but they also carry rich symbolism and fascinating histories.
To uncover the secrets of September's birth month flowers , Parade spoke with a floral expert, Eka Dara , founder of Edelweiss Floral Atelier , who shares insights on their meanings, historical significance, and care. Whether you're an autumn baby curious about the birth flowers for September, searching for the perfect floral gift for your sweetheart this month or looking for September birth flower tattoo ideas, read on to discover the captivating world of asters and morning glories.
Dara explains September's floral pairing: "Aster is the primary birth flower for September, morning glory is the secondary."
These blooms capture the essence of the season, with asters often blooming in late summer and early fall, while morning glories climb and unfurl their petals in the warm September sun.
Unsplash
What Does the Aster Symbolize?
Asters are rich in symbolism. Dara describes their significance: "Asters symbolize faith, wisdom, love and courage."
In Greek mythology, asters were born from the tears of the goddess Astraea, while ancient Greeks and Romans considered them sacred. The Romans associated asters with Venus, the goddess of love, and used them in love potions. Victorian flower language attributed qualities like daintiness, patience, and charm to asters. The flowers' colors carry specific meanings: purple for wisdom and admiration, white for purity and new beginnings, pink for love and sensitivity, and blue for calmness and loyalty. In Japan, the aster known as shion conveys the message "I won't forget you" in the language of flowers, hanakotoba.
These star-shaped flowers make a perfect birthday gift, representing not only the beauty of the season but also conveying deep, meaningful sentiments to your loved ones.
Aster in History
The name "Aster" has an interesting origin. Dara shares, "The name aster comes from the Latin word astrum, which means 'star,' in reference to the star-like shape of the flowers."
As mentioned above, Asters have also played a role in mythology. "Aster's history traces back to Greek mythology,” shares Dara. “The goddess Astrea, which Asters are named after, is referred to as the 'Starry Maiden'. Upon seeing that there were no stars on earth, she teared up and her tears fell on earth to become Asters."
How To Care for Aster
To keep asters thriving, Dara shares: "Aster plants are to be planted in the Spring, they are perennial plants. They prefer full sun. Be sure to deadhead the withered blooms to promote regrowth."
For cut asters, she recommends: "Aster stems should be cut at a 45-degree angle, and the lower leaves should be removed to prevent them from contaminating the water. The stems should be given a fresh cut and the water changed every other day."
Getty Images
What Does the Morning Glory Symbolize?
The morning glory, September's second birth flower, has its own rich symbolism. "Morning Glories are best known for and symbolize love and affection, but have many meanings in different cultures," Dara explains. "For instance, in China, its name means happiness and peace, and in Japan, the transient nature of life."
Morning Glory in History
Morning glories have a long and varied history. Dara notes, "Morning Glories have been mentioned throughout history and have been greatly respected amongst certain cultures."
She elaborates on their historical significance: "In ancient Egypt, the Morning Glory was seen as a symbol of resurrection and can be seen today depicted on many sarcophagi and other ancient relics. To the ancient Mayans, Aztecs and Native Americans, Morning Glory seeds were used during certain ceremonies for their spiritual properties that helped individuals reach other planes of consciousness."
"It's good to keep in mind that Morning Glories are best enjoyed as a plant, as a cut stem, their life is very short," Dara shares.
For growing morning glories, she recommends: "Morning Glory flowers prefer full sun. Morning Glory spreads rapidly, so make sure to give them plenty of space to climb and grow."
Whether you choose the star-like aster or the trumpet-shaped morning glory, September's birth flowers offer a beautiful way to celebrate the month's birthdays and the transition from summer to fall.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Most Popular
Comments / 0