Did you know that in addition to your birthstone you have 1 or 2 birth month flowers? Each flower has a meaning! For that reason, you might want to include your birth month flowers in your wedding. Read on to find out more!
Hey, John!
Barbara and I are renewing our vows next Christmas at Ainsworth House & Gardens. We’ll have the whole family togetheer for the celebration!
She is a very creative, award-winning gardener who is a walking encyclopedia of flowers.
Aunt Kate suggested that I give a bouquet of Barbara’s December birth month flowers—Paperwhites and Holly—to Barbara as a surprise and then have small arrangements of other birth month flowers on the other tables to honor our adult children who were born in October and November. My birth month flowers will be added in.
What are the birth flowers for those months?
Thanks!
–Pete in Port Townsend
Hey, Pete!
I am happy to help!
First, let me explain. For centuries, people have tried to come up with ways we could categorize each other and thus gain insights into that person. In China, astrology (a system of 12 animals to represent each of 12 years) was codified during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-9 A.D.). In late January or early February, you might hear that there are celebrations to welcome the animal of the coming year: Year of Tiger, Year of the Snake, etc. It is thought that people born in the Year of the Tiger are powerful, charming, and determined while those born in the Year of the Snake are diplomatic, thoughtful, and loyal.
Back to the flowers. While the Ancient Romans wrote extensively about birth month flowers, it was the Victorians who organized a system of letting the hidden meanings of flowers communicate without words what someone was feeling about another person. Today, we still use a single red rose to say, “I love you.”
Let’s look at Fall’s birth month flowers and how you can include them in your wedding or vow renewal!
October: Marigold and Cosmos
Marigold: Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois loved the marigold so much that each year he introduced a bill into Congress to make the marigold the national flower of the U.S. Related to the aster, there are about 50 varieties of marigolds in vibrant hues from orange and yellow to deep mahogany.
Meanings: Asking a blessing from Heaven, Creativity, and Purity.
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- Cosmos: With their petals unfurling like a star, it’s easy to see that the cosmos is part of the aster family of flowers. The name “cosmos” originated in Greek; it means “order.”
Meanings:
- Harmony
- Balance
- Order.
November: Chrysanthemums
- Chrysanthemums: There is only one birth month flower for November and it is this is a multi-petaled beauty! .
- As the national flower of Japan, it is the name of the monarchy which sits on the Chrysanthemum Throne!
- Blooming in a blaze of color including white, yellow, orange, red, purple, lavender, and deep burgundy, this flower lends itself to many a floral arrangement, bouquet, or corsage.
Meaning: Perfection.
December: Narcissus (which includes the Paperwhite Narcissus) and Holly
- Narcissus: Narcissus is a very large family of flowers which includes daffodils and jonquils. All paperwhites are narcissus but not all narcissus flowers are paperwhites qhixh grows in December. . This delicate white flower is also called “Paperwhites.”
Meaning of Paperwhite Narcissus: Purity
- Holly: With is gorgeous red berries and deep green leaves, this is the perfect birth month flower for those born in the month of Christmas. Celebrate the season of white snow with this beautiful plant!
Meaning:
- Courage
- Foresight.
That should get you started exploring Fall Birth Month Flowers! If you want to find out about the other months, check out our blog posts on winter, spring, and summer birth month flowers.
If you have questions, reach out to me.
Your friend in the wedding business,
John Shyne
Images courtesy of Pixabay.com and Unsplash.com.
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