Every month of the year has its own birth flower, much like a birthstone. Building a bouquet around someone’s birth flower is an easy way to make a birthday gift feel personal. It shows you have put some thought into it, and it gives you a good place to start if you are not sure what to choose.
Below, you will find the birth flower for each month, what it means and how to use it in a bouquet. We have also included tips for the months when the traditional flower is hard to find.
What are birth month flowers?
Birth month flowers are a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Each month is linked to a flower that is usually in season at that time of year, and each flower has its own meaning, such as love, hope or loyalty.
Most months actually have two birth flowers. January, for example, has both the carnation and the snowdrop. In this guide we focus on the flower that is easiest to buy from a florist, and suggest alternatives where they help.
Birth flowers by month at a glance
| Month | Birth flower | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| January | Carnation | Love, loyalty and new beginnings |
| February | Violet | Truth, modesty and faithfulness |
| March | Daffodil | Hope, happiness and fresh starts |
| April | Daisy | Innocence and joy |
| May | Lily of the valley | Purity, kindness and happiness |
| June | Rose | Love and admiration (varies by colour) |
| July | Larkspur | Joy, warmth and strong bonds |
| August | Gladiolus | Strength and honesty |
| September | Aster | Wisdom, love and patience |
| October | Marigold | Warmth, creativity and joy |
| November | Chrysanthemum | Loyalty, happiness and good health |
| December | Narcissus (paperwhite) | Hope, cheer and kindness |
Winter birthday flowers: December to February
December: narcissus (paperwhite)
Paperwhites are small, white, star-shaped flowers with a sweet scent. They stand for hope and good cheer, which suits the darker days of December. They are often sold as bulbs in pots, and these make a lovely gift that keeps on flowering. For a cut bouquet, pair them with white roses, eucalyptus and a little winter greenery.
January: carnation
Carnations are a great choice for January because they are tough and last a long time, often staying fresh for two weeks or more. They come in almost every colour, from soft pink to deep red. They symbolise love, loyalty and new beginnings, which feels right for the start of a new year.
February: violet
Violets are tiny purple flowers linked to truth and faithfulness. They are rarely sold as cut flowers, so a small potted violet makes a sweet gift. For a bouquet, choose purple flowers with a similar feel, such as irises, anemones or lisianthus.
Spring birthday flowers: March to May
March: daffodil
Daffodils are the classic sign that spring has arrived. Their bright yellow petals bring a sense of hope and fresh starts after winter. One useful tip: freshly cut daffodils release a sap that can shorten the life of other flowers. Florists stand them in water on their own for a few hours before adding them to a mixed bouquet.
April: daisy
Daisies stand for innocence and joy. Their simple, cheerful look works well in a relaxed, garden-style bunch. If you want something bolder, gerberas or spray chrysanthemums give the same daisy shape in brighter colours.
May: lily of the valley
Lily of the valley has tiny white bell-shaped flowers and a soft, sweet scent. It symbolises purity and happiness and is a favourite in wedding bouquets. It is only available for a short time in spring and every part of the plant is poisonous, so keep it away from children and pets. White roses and sweet peas make good alternatives.
Summer birthday flowers: June to August
June: rose
The rose is June’s birth flower and still the most popular flower in the UK. Each colour sends its own message: red for love, pink for admiration and thanks, yellow for friendship and white for new beginnings. A bunch of roses in their favourite colour is hard to beat, and our guide to choosing a bouquet explains the colour meanings in more detail.
July: larkspur
Larkspur grows in tall spikes of purple, blue, pink or white flowers. It stands for joy and strong bonds, which makes it a lovely choice for a close friend or family member. It also adds height and a cottage-garden feel to a summer bouquet.
August: gladiolus
Gladioli are tall flowers with blooms all the way up the stem. They represent strength and honesty and come in bold reds, oranges, pinks and purples. Because they are so tall, they suit a large vase or a statement arrangement.
Autumn birthday flowers: September to November
September: aster
Asters have star-shaped flowers in pink, purple, blue and white. They symbolise wisdom, love and patience. Mixed with roses or lilies, they give a bouquet a soft, natural look.
October: marigold
Marigolds are rich orange and gold, just like autumn leaves, and they stand for warmth and creativity. They are not often used in bouquets, so many people choose orange roses, dahlias or spray chrysanthemums to get the same warm colours.
November: chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers. They come in many autumn shades, including bronze, gold, red and white, and represent loyalty, happiness and good health. That makes them a thoughtful choice as the weather turns colder.
How to personalise a birth month bouquet
Start with their birth flower and build the bouquet around it. You do not need a whole bunch of it. A few stems mixed with seasonal flowers in their favourite colours often look better.
- Use their favourite colour as the main theme
- Mix the birth flower with roses or other seasonal blooms
- Pick a size that suits their home, such as a smaller posy for a flat
- Write a short card explaining what their flower means
That last idea is worth doing. Most people do not know their birth flower, so telling them why you chose it makes the gift much more memorable.
What if their birth flower is out of season?
Some birth flowers are only around for a few weeks a year, and some are rarely sold as cut flowers at all. If that happens, ask your florist for a flower with a similar colour or shape, or one that carries the same meaning. A potted plant, such as a violet or a paperwhite bulb, is another good option. What matters most is that the bouquet feels chosen for them.
Ordering birthday flowers in Newcastle
If you would like a birth month bouquet delivered in Newcastle, our florists can build one around the right flower or the closest seasonal match. Just tell us the month and their favourite colours when you order. Bouquets start from £55, and same-day delivery is available when you order by 2 pm.
