Birthday Flowers

Each year we are faced with new challenges, different situations and an ever-changing world. Some of these may be good; others less so and at times, life might seem like it’s getting just a tad too much. For all those occasions and many, many more – even if it is just for a general “Thank you” occasion – there is the wonderful gift of flowers.

To show our commitment to friendship, love and general happiness, we’ve compiled a guide to the flowers of each month to enable you to share the best of nature with those you care about.

January

For the first month of the Gregorian calendar we have the Carnation which is perhaps best known as being worn on mother’s day and weddings. In terms of symbolism it generally refers to the love of a woman, which means that the carnation could be the perfect gift, even for him.

And to make matters even more interesting, there exist a variety of carnations available in different colors to suit each and ever flower-lover’s taste and each with its very own meaning. Among our favorites are the yellow, white, purple, red and pink carnations, which, when you look closely, mean we love them all.

February

Belonging to the genus Viola, Violets represent the month of February and may have more in common with love than you think. Also known as “Pansies” or “Heartsease”, violets have a scent as elusive as true love: it does exist, but it will take some finding.

Never-the-less, violets are among the most beautiful flowers with a floral meaning pointing to modesty, which is very apt since then word “February” is derived from Latin “februum” which, when translated, means purification.

March

March was named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It was also the first month of the year in ancient Rome and is still celebrated as such in some cultures due to the fact that it denotes the first month of spring.

The flower of March is the Daffodil, also known as the Jonquil and the Narcissus, and has an associated story. It speaks of a man in ancient Greece who loved his own image so much that he could not stop admiring his own image in a stream. While some say he fell in and drowned, others claim he was so in love with his own image that he starved while being preoccupied with admiring himself. From the place of his death sprung the Narcissus flower.

In terms of floral meaning, the Daffodil is a symbol of desire, sympathy and formality.

April

In Latin mythology the month of April was sacred to the goddess Venus, in Greek, Aphrodite. Both of them were the goddess of Love in their respective cultures, which makes April a special month indeed.

April’s flower is regarded as the Sweet Pea or the Daisy. Where the former refers to a floral meaning that wishes to express a blissful pleasure, the latter is symbolic for a loyalty to love as well as secrecy.

May

Want to know something interesting about the month of May? No other month shares it’s first day with May, making this a very special month indeed. As to this month’s name, there are quite a number of speculations as to its origins. Some believe that “May” refers to the Greek goddess Maia. Others, however, believe that the month received its name from the terms “majores”, which referred to old med. As such, they believe that May is the month dedicated to old men.

The birth flower for May is the Lily of the Valley, which is symbolic of the tears of the Virgin Mary. It’s meaning points toward sweetness, humility and a return to happiness.

June

Named after Juno, a Roman goddess and the wife of Jupiter, June is the month with the longest hours of daylight in the northern hemisphere and the shortest hours of daylight in the southern hemisphere. Due to the fact that Juno was the goddess of marriage and as such many couples think it to be lucky to be wed in June.

June’s flower is the Rose, the flower representing both love and beauty, and was the flower of the Greek goddess Aphrodite and is also symbolic of the Virgin Mary.

July

Previously known as Quintilis in the ancient Roman calendar, July was renamed to honor Julius Caesar who was born in the same month. Interestingly enough, July starts on the same day of the week as April every year and January during leap years.

July’s flower is the Larkspur of which the floral meaning denotes fickleness.

August

The month of August is the 8th month in the Gregorian calendar and was previously known as Sextilis. It was renamed in honor of Augustus in 8BC as a number of his successful exploits occurred in this month, arguably the most famous being the fall of Alexandria.

August’s flower is the Gladiolus, which was the official flower of the gladiators and one with a meaning that could point to sincerity, strength and infatuation.

September

September was originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar; hence its name as “septem” means “seven” in Latin. Between the 21st and the 24th of September the autumnal equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the southern hemisphere. According to the pagan religion, the former belongs to Mabon while the latter belongs to Ostara.

September’s flower is the Aster, the official symbol of love and also the floral embodiment of all things delicate and dainty.

October

Although October is the tenth month in the Georgian calendar, it was the eighth month in the old Roman calendar as “octo” means “eight”. January is the only month to start on the same day as October in common years, but not in leap years. It is the international month of breast cancer awareness and is also celebrated in the U.S. as National Arts and Humanities month.

Its flower is the Marigold, obtaining its name from “Mary’s Gold” with reference to the Virgin Mary and points to the floral meaning of grief and jealousy.

November

November used to be the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar;"novem" means "nine". Starting on the same day as March and February (the latter only in common years), November is the Roman Catholic Church's month dedicated to the Holy Souls who are in purgatory.

Its flower is the Chrysanthemum, a flower that embodies the meanings of friendship, happiness and rest.

December

As with a number of other months, December used to be the tenth month of the Roman calendar, hence "decem" which means "ten". December is also the month of Christmas celebrations, Saint Lucy and New Year's Eve.

December is represented by the Holly, which has a floral meaning of domestic bliss as well as defense.

Click here for Canadian Flower Delivery's large selection of birthday flowers and gifts.

Anniversary Flowers

Marriage – the union of souls – is one of the most remarkable occasions in the lives of those who choose to do so. It is, after all, the eternal commitment between two people, for life and beyond. As such it is only fitting that nature’s most beautiful works of art – flowers - are used to celebrate the various milestones in a marriage.

Here you’ll find a list of the most well known anniversaries and their associated flowers.

One Year Anniversary

The first year of marriage is often a year of bliss as it is at a time when passions run high and untamed for one another. While traditional gifts for the first year of marriage were paper and later clocks, many find that flowers say it best. The official flower of the first year of marriage is the carnation, the perfect flower to conclude that first year of marital joy.

Two Year Anniversary

Who cares about divorce statistics or anything else for that matter when life can’t get any better? Give them the traditional gifts of cotton; surprise them with the contemporary two-year celebratory gift of china – but whatever you do, be sure to include Lily of the Valley to emphasize your continual love.

Three Year Anniversary

Some say this is where it gets choppy, others say “no, it’s fine”. Life has a way of happening and working itself out. Celebrate your defeats as well as your victories at the end of three years with olden gifts of leather or their more recent crystal counterparts that will match the third year flower, the sunflower.

Four Year Anniversary

Four years is indeed a stretch, well done! Traditional gifts for this occasion include either linen or silk. Should however, the marital abode be a little empty, then fill it up with modern society’s recommended gift: appliances. In terms of flowers, go wild and crazy by covering all bare surfaces with hydrangeas!

Five Year Anniversary

With half a decade completed, here’s to the next. While gifts for this marital milestone should be made out of wood or constitute silverware, we find that a bunch of daisies and perhaps a picnic will do the trick to ensure that the next five years are just as full of joy and love.

Six Year Anniversary

Traditional gift: something made out of iron. Contemporary Gift: Something made out of wood. Perfect gift: a bouquet of beautiful callas and a long, peaceful walk along the beach.

Seven Year Anniversary

Almost a decade and still going strong! Personally we’d rather give someone the traditional gifts of something made out of either wool or copper. But then there are those who would prefer the more modern variety – desk sets. For all occasions in celebration of the past seven years, freesias are the flowers of choice.

Eight Year Anniversary

Back in the day friends, families, husbands and wives gave the gift of bronze or linen to mark the eight year milestone. Today they give lace. Still, no one will be able to argue that lilacs remain a timeless gift and perfect floral representation of the time spent together.

Nine Year Anniversary

Nine years of love, support and a place to call “home”. The troubles seem small compared to the blessings, which is perhaps why the traditional gift for those at the nine-year mark is pottery and its modern day equal, china. Yet one thing that remains certain is that a bird of paradise bouquet will ensure enough color and joy for the coming years.

Ten Year Anniversary

Ten is indeed a magical number and staying together this long means that there is something special, something uniquely different. As the traditional gifts for ten years include those things fashioned out of tin and aluminum, we though the modern version a bit more apt. Therefore be sure to lay your hands on the biggest bouquet of daffodils to present along with the diamond jewelry.

Eleven Year Anniversary

The first year of the next decade! It’s almost like being young again as you know the marriage is made out of unbreakable steel – which is precisely what the traditional gift for this milestone is. For those living in a modern world, be sure to match the fashion jewelry with a beautiful, elegant bouquet of tulips.

Twelve Year Anniversary

How lucky to reach twelve years of bliss, not only because traditional gifts include silk and pearls with modern counterparts of colored gems but because there is once again occasion for flowers. Peonies are recommended and will seal the deal for at least another twelve years of comfort and joy.

Thirteen Year Anniversary

They say thirteen is unlucky, we say it is a blessing. Now that the home has been made, it’s time for a bit of grandeur and sophistication. Lace, textiles and furs are the recommended gifts. But they wouldn’t be half their worth if nature’s very own chrysanthemum wasn’t included.

Fourteen Year Anniversary

By this time you know you’ve got something good going and so do other people too. Ideal gifts of a traditional nature included ivory, whilst those more conscious of times a changing will give something gold. The dahlia, in our humble opinion, will at the very least equal those gifts; if not make them look pale in comparison.

Fifteen Year Anniversary

Five years from twenty, fifteen from thirty years together. At this stage numbers don’t matter any more as time really does fly when you are having fun. The ideal gifts for this marital milestone are items made out of crystal as well as watches. But then again, who cares when you consider that giving someone roses is in actual fact giving them something incredibly valuable – a beautiful, living flower.

Twenty Year Anniversary

The second decade! Time to let your hair down and show the kids how it’s really done. Tell them to take the china and platinum gifts and just lay it on the side because what you’ve found to inspire your youthfulness is far more enchanting: the aster.

Twenty-five Year Anniversary

Dare we say it? Perhaps we shouldn’t, but we can’t really resist. Quarter of a century! While looks may fade and gravity become increasingly annoying, you may celebrate your silver anniversary with gifts of, well, silver. And to add to the glamour and the sparkles of the festivities, be sure to let your loved ones know that the iris will be this year’s floral decoration of choice.

Twenty-eight Year Anniversary

Yes, we thought we’d catch you with this one as it is rather unique. It is intended to remind those who’ve stuck together through thick and thin that life is not about what you’ve already done, it’s about what you are still to do! Whether you choose to celebrate these past 28 years together quietly or in raucous style, the orchid is a flower suitable for any occasion.

Thirty Year Anniversary

Thirty years, well done! Time again for gifts and flowers. As to the former you may let your guests know that pearls and diamonds are in order, while the latter will require vast amounts of lilies to suit your mature tastes. Living is all about the finer things and lots of them – wouldn’t you agree?

Forty Year Anniversary

Don’t scare too easily if people start clapping when you are walking down the street, because this is a milestone of note. Forty years of marriage is a destiny shared. Traditional gifts for this most venerable of occasions are rubies, whilst the gladiator’s flower – the gladiolus – will ensure the safety and beauty of times to come.

Fifty Year Anniversary

Reaching fifty years of marriage… you are indeed royalty in the realm of love and deserve no less than gifts of gold and showers of yellow roses and violets. Time to celebrate and aim for the next fifty years of love and bliss. Good luck!

Click here for Canadian Flower Delivery's large selection of anniversary flowers and gifts.