In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about April’s Official Birth Month Flowers – the daisy and sweet pea. Learn about their meaning and symbolism in the language of flowers, as well as their cultural significance around the world today.
- April Birth Month Flowers: The Daisy
- Why Are Daisies April Birth Month Flowers?
- April Birth Flowers: The Sweet Pea
- Why Are Sweet Peas April Birth Month Flowers?
- Other Popular In-Season April Flowers
- What are the Origins of April Birth Month Flowers?
- The Official Birth Flower Calendar:
- April Birth Flowers FAQs:
April Birth Month Flowers: The Daisy
Are you familiar with He loves me… he loves me not? The children’s game in which you get to pluck the petals one by one while you repeatedly chant the phrase until every petal gets discarded. The last petal tells how a particular person feels about you.
If yes, then you’re probably aware of the daisy flower used in this French game.
Origins of the Daisy
The name daisy originates from an old English term daes eage which means “day’s eye.” Moreover, the reference is to how the blooms open at dawn as the day begins and closes at night. Other names of this sweet flower are common daisy, lawn daisy, English daisy, bruisewort, and woundwort.
The common name daisy refers to an entire genus in the Asteraceae family and covers many types of daisies that have been popular for garden and bouquet uses.
Among the many types of daisies, the most popular ones aside from the common daisies include Shasta daisies, painted daisies, and gerbera daisies. Shasta daisies have white petals and a prominent yellow center, while painted daisies offer a range of colors from purple to red. On the other hand, Gerbera daisies are famed cut flowers with many color options, such as yellow, orange, pink, and red.
History of Daisy Flowers
Daisy flowers are native to central and northern Europe and Western Asia. They originated as wildflowers in open fields in England but have become naturalized in temperate areas around the globe. The first known cultivation of this cheerful bloom was about 2,200 BC.
Back in the day, Egyptians used daisies as a treatment for many types of diseases. Even the English also used daisies as a remedy against stomach ulcers and eye problems.
Today, the cultivation of daisies is prevalent worldwide. These flowers are popular during spring and available in plenty of colors.
Daisy Flower Symbolism in the Language of Flowers
In the language of flowers, a daisy flower conveys innocence. The origin of this significance is in the old days when beautiful young, unmarried women used to wear daisies in their hair to convey freedom from guilt and immoral acts.
It also means purity, loyal love, and new beginnings. While roses are perhaps the most notable flowers to express romantic love in this era, history has it that daisies were the most used flowers to convey devotion and affection. These meanings make daisies a thoughtful and meaningful present for someone special in your life, like a girlfriend or a wife.
For others, this humble flower also symbolizes fertility and motherhood. Because of this thought, daisies make an excellent gift for both April birthday celebrants and new mothers.
These birth month flowers for April also signify transformation. As per the Roman myth, these meanings originated from the story of the god of seasons, Vertumnus, who fell in love with a beautiful nymph named Belides. She turned herself into a daisy flower to escape Vertumnus’ unwanted attention.
Another meaning of a daisy flower is “I will never tell” and “loyal love.”
Why Are Daisies April Birth Month Flowers?
Daisies are associated with April due to their blooming in the spring, which is the season that typically starts in April in many regions. The daisy is a hardy, robust flower that starts to bloom when the weather begins to warm up and the days start to lengthen, making it one of the first signs of spring. Its emergence is often seen as a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, aligning perfectly with spring and April’s spirit.
In addition to their timely blooming, the symbolic meanings of daisies also contribute to their association with April. They symbolize innocence, purity, and love that conquers all. These themes mirror the sense of renewal and rejuvenation that people often associate with the beginning of spring.
What’s more, the name “daisy” comes from “day’s eye,” a reference to how these flowers open at dawn and close at dusk. This name implies the awakening of nature after winter, further aligning the daisy with the springtime themes of rebirth and renewal.
April Birth Flowers: The Sweet Pea
Sweet pea or Lathyrus odoratus is a climbing flowering plant recognized for its fragrance and butterfly-like flowers. These birthday flowers for April are a famous sight not just in gardens but also in bouquets. They are primarily available in shades of violet, blue, white, red, and pink but not in orange and yellow hues.
Origins of the Sweet Pea
Sweet peas are known by their scientific name Lathyrus odoratus. The name originated from the Greek word lathyros, meaning pea or pulse, and the Latin term odoratus, meaning fragrant.
English gardeners call the sweet-scented April birth flower the “Queen of Annuals.”
History of Sweet Peas
The sweet pea we all know today would not be accessible if not for Scotsman Henry Eckford. It was a relatively unknown and undervalued flowering plant until the 1800s when Eckford worked on cross-breeding these flowers.
During this time, the fragrant plant was already in cultivation in Sicily, Italy, and Cyprus. But more than 250 new cultivars were introduced through Eckford and other plant breeders. To this day, many hybrids of sweet peas are readily available.
Sweet Pea Symbolism in the Langauge of Flowers
Sweet peas, the other official birth month flower for April, symbolize blissful pleasure primarily because of their vibrant colors. In the language of flowers, many believe these blooms leave a positive experience and a thoughtful way to say thank you, further symbolizing gratitude.
Given these meanings, sweet peas make an exciting gift for birthday celebrants in April. Send them a fresh bouquet of mix-colored sweet peas that exude a perfect balance between sweetness and elegance.
Other meanings of these birthday flowers for April include departure and goodbye, which makes them a great farewell gift.
Why Are Sweet Peas April Birth Month Flowers?
Sweet Peas, with their delicate blossoms and lovely fragrance, are among the most popular flowers to bloom in the spring. The sweet pea’s association with April is rooted in its blooming season, which typically begins this month in many parts of the world.
The Sweet Pea symbolizes blissful pleasure, farewell, or the pleasure accompanying saying goodbye. The flower’s delicate beauty embodies the fleeting nature of spring, reflecting the inevitable progression from one season to the next. This symbolism of departure or transition aligns well with the changing seasons that typically occur in April.
Moreover, in the Victorian language of flowers, Sweet Peas were often used to say goodbye, possibly due to their late spring and early summer blooming period.
The Sweet Pea’s popularity as an ornamental plant also contributes to its status as a birth flower for April. Its distinctive, sweet fragrance and various colors, from soft pinks and purples to vibrant reds and whites, make it a favorite among gardeners and flower enthusiasts.
Other Popular In-Season April Flowers
April graces us with many beautiful, intricate flowers in different forms, colors, and sizes. Here are the top favorites among many florists and flower enthusiasts for various uses, including gifting flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special celebrations:
Tulips
Tulips are certainly one of the most popular cut flowers worldwide. These spring-blooming ornamentals flaunt large, extremely showy, and brightly-colored blooms that would instantly brighten up anyone’s day.
Peonies
Peonies offer many flower colors, making these spring-blooming, rose-like flowers another favorite in bouquets and floral arrangements. They symbolize romance, good fortune, and happy marriage, among others.
Orchids
One of the most highly coveted flowers is orchids. They exude a unique appeal that makes a valuable gifting flower. These flowers symbolize love, strength, and luxury.
Irises
Cheer someone up with a bouquet of showy iris flowers. Typically in blue or purple hues, these popular gifting flowers represent royalty, hope, wisdom, admiration, and courage.
Delphiniums
Often used in wedding bouquets, delphiniums are also an impressive gifting flower for family, friends, or someone special in your life, like the birthday flowers for April. These beautiful flowers, known for their dolphin-like shape, symbolize truth and protection.
What are the Origins of April Birth Month Flowers?
The tradition of birth flowers is thought to have originated in ancient Rome, where flowers were given as gifts to celebrate birthdays and other special events. Each month was associated with a particular flower, believed to hold specific characteristics or powers that would be imparted to people born in that month.
The specific flowers associated with each month have varied throughout history and between cultures. For example, some cultures in the Middle Ages used the symbolic language of flowers, called floriography, to communicate coded messages based on the type and color of the flower given. This practice continued into the Victorian era when the language of flowers became extremely popular and complex.
Like many traditions, the current list of birth month flowers we use today has been influenced by various historical and cultural factors. It’s similar to birthstones, where each month is associated with a specific gemstone.
For the best local florists curating beautiful April birth month flower arrangements, see our local guides to flower delivery in Los Angeles, Chicago, and NYC and the best nationwide flower delivery services.
The Official Birth Flower Calendar:
| Month: | Birth Flower: | Meanings & Symbolism: |
| January: | Carnations & Snowdrop | Pink Carnations (love and appreciation), White Carnations (luck, love, and affection, and Red Carnations (love and friendship). Snowdrop (hope and rebirth). |
| February: | Violet, Iris, and Primrose | Violets (faithful love, truth, loyalty, humility), Iris (hope, faith, passion, purity, and innocence), Primrose (affection, young love, undying affection) |
| March: | Daffodils | Daffodils (new beginnings, faithfulness, luck, prosperity, and hope) |
| April: | Daisy & Sweet Pea | Daisy (purity, love, new beginnings, fertility, and motherhood). Sweet Pea (blissful pleasure, gratitude). |
| May: | Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn | Lily of the Valley (romance, luck, happiness, purity, humility). Hawthorn (hope, love, beauty, fertility, and supreme happiness). |
| June: | Roses & Honeysuckle | Roses (love, passion, romance, purity, gratitude). Honeysuckle (happiness and eternal love). |
| July: | Larkspur & Water Lily | Larkspur (happiness, love); Water Lily (enlightenment, resurrection, purity, beauty, creation). |
| August: | Gladiolus & Poppy | Gladiolus (integrity, honor, respect); Poppy (remembrance, prosperity, enchantment, sympathy). |
| September: | Aster & Morning Glory | Aster (faith, love, achievement, and wisdom); Morning Glory (affection, intimate love, patience). |
| October: | Marigolds & Cosmos | Marigolds (devotion, commitment); Cosmos (harmony, love, innocence, beauty, modesty, joy, and balance). |
| November: | Chrysanthemum & Peonies | Chrysanthemum (friendship, love); Peonies (romance, prosperity, good fortune, honor, and compassion) |
| December: | Narcissus, Poinsettia, and Holly, | Narcissus (innocence and purity); Poinsettia (success, celebration); Holly (happiness and optimism). |
April Birth Flowers FAQs:
What are the birth flowers for April?
April’s official birth month flowers are the Daisy and the Sweet Pea.
What do daisies symbolize?
Daisies symbolize innocence, purity, and love that conquer all. They also convey cheerfulness.
What do sweet peas symbolize?
Sweet peas symbolize blissful pleasure, goodbye, and gratefulness for a lovely time.
Can I give daisies or sweet peas as birthday gifts in April?
Yes, daisies and sweet peas can be a beautiful and symbolic gift for those born in April. As birth flowers for this month, they represent a connection to the season of rebirth and renewal.
Are there any superstitions or traditions associated with daisies and sweet peas?
In folklore, daisies are sometimes said to represent the eyes of children or the stars. Sweet peas are traditionally given to say goodbye, perhaps due to their short blooming period.
What are other names for these flowers?
Daisies are the most prominent family of flowering plants, including more than 23,000 species. The name “daisy” often refers to several different types of flowers in this family. Sweet pea is the common name for Lathyrus odoratus, a flowering plant in the legume family.
Wrapping Up – April Birth Month Flowers
April’s birth month flowers, the Daisy and the Sweet Pea, are true garden gems in spring. The Daisy symbolizes innocence, purity, and cheerfulness, reflecting April’s positive vibes after a long winter. Sweet Pea, with its aromatic blooms, represents bliss and fond farewells.
For more, see our in-depth guide to the best birthday messages and quotes to share with friends, family, and loved ones.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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