With summer flowers in full bloom, July birthdays welcome a vivid display of color, fragrance, and choice each year. Here we’ll take you through everything you need to know about the official birth flowers for July – the larkspur and water lily.
The Official Birth Flower Calendar:
| Month: | Birth Flower: | Meanings & Symbolism: |
| January: | Carnations & Snowdrop | Pink Carnations (love and appreciation), White Carnations (luck, love, and affection, 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). |
Birth Flower for July: Larkspur
The official birth flowers for July are larkspurs. These popular ornamentals flaunt tall flower spikes typically in shades of pink, white, and lavender. Often confused with delphiniums because of their similar appearance, larkspurs (Consolida spp.) are annuals while delphiniums (Delphiniums spp.) are perennials. However, larkspur or perennial larkspur is another common name for delphiniums.
Brief History and Name Origin of Larkspur
The July birthday flower is also known as lark’s heel, lark’s toes, lark’s claw, and knight’s spur. The name larkspur refers to the shape of the flower’s spur-like petals as they resemble the claws of a lark bird. According to Greek mythology, the first larkspur plant sprouted on the land where Ajax the Great died during the famous Battle of Troy.
For years, larkspurs used to be part of the Delphinium genus until they were re-classified as Consolida in the same Ranunculus botanical family.
There is no specific information as to how larkspur became July’s official birth flower. Perhaps the most plausible reason is their seasonality and availability since larkspur flowers are readily available during this month.
Meanings and Symbolism of a Larkspur Flower
Generally, larkspur flowers symbolize love, joy, romanticism, and positivity. Nevertheless, the July birth flower holds numerous meanings depending on their color.
Pink larkspur flowers are a known symbol of capriciousness and disagreement. On the other hand, white larkspurs are on the opposite side of the spectrum as they represent happiness, joy, and easygoing nature. Purple and blue larkspurs are the most common color available. The purple flowers are a symbol of first love and affection, while the blue ones signify grace, honor, and respect.
Buying Tips for July Birthday Flowers: Larkspurs
Due to many flower hues, larkspurs make an excellent and unusual flower gift for any celebration or occasion. You can get a bouquet of white larkspur flowers for Mother’s Day or anniversaries, or a shade of purple or blue for birthdays, job promotion, or any special celebrations. A mix of several colors in a single bouquet is also a nice idea.
Regardless, it is crucial to pick the freshest flowers available when buying larkspurs. Avoid buying larkspurs that have been on display for too long, or those that exhibit wilting, drying, yellowing of the leaves, or pest and disease damages. These plants are ethylene sensitive, thus apply an anti-ethylene product if they are not pre-treated.
Unlike most cut flowers, taking care of larkspurs flowers does not require much time and effort. However, their vase life is shorter than other popular blooms, lasting for only four days to more or less a week. To maximize their beauty, make sure to give sufficient water and place them away from too much heat.
Moreover, larkspurs can be poisonous when ingested, so keep them away from young children and pets.
Water Lily: The Other July Birth Flower
The water lily is another recognized birthday flower for July. Native to tropical and temperate regions in the world, the plant exhibits various forms and sizes that range from miniature species to giant water lilies.
Like larkspurs, water lily flowers are significant in many cultures. In Hinduism and Buddhism, these long-lasting blooms are considered sacred and an important religious symbol. The flowers signify rebirth and resurrection because they close at night and reopen at the crack of dawn. Since the blooms emerge from the mud, they are also a symbol of enlightenment.
Other meanings of water lilies include purity, beauty, creation, and divine birth.
Other Popular In-Season July Flowers
While both larkspurs and water lilies are readily available in July for the month’s birthday celebrants, other in-season flowers can qualify as the perfect gifting flowers. Here are a few examples.
Orchids
Orchids are undeniably beautiful, delicate, and one-of-a-kind ornamentals. They flaunt a unique form in varying colors and color patterns depending on the species and type, which makes them even more desirable. These exotic blooms symbolize luxury, love, strength, beauty, and masculinity.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are popular ornamental plants both in gardens and flower shops because of their large flowerheads. You often see them in luxurious floral arrangements for weddings, birthdays, and other special celebrations. Many hydrangea flower colors are available, including blue, purple, pink, white, green, and red. They represent grace, beauty, and gratitude.
Sunflowers
Another ornamental plant that blooms in July along with the July birthday flowers is a sunflower. The crowd-favorite flower presents many types and varying sizes, from miniature species to giant sunflowers. Regardless, they all flaunt the same bright and cheerful appeal that made sunflowers famous across the globe. These flowers often represent longevity, admiration, and loyalty.
Petal Republic’s Flower Guides:
Looking for a particular stem or in need of some inspiration on the best blooms for a certain occasion? Check out Petal Republic’s comprehensive guides to Roses, Sweet Woodruff, Tansy, Goldenrod, Edelweiss, Ranunculus, Lilies, Irises, Tulips, Orchids, Carnations, Gerbera Daisies, Camellia, and Peonies.
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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