September Birth Month Flowers: Aster and Morning Glory
In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about September’s Official Birth Month Flowers – the Aster and Morning Glory. Learn about their meaning and symbolism in the language of flowers and their cultural significance around the world today.
- September Birth Month Flowers: The Aster
- September Birth Month Flowers: The Morning Glory
- Other Popular In-Season September Flowers
- Why Are There Two Birth Month Flowers in September?
- What are the Origins of September Birth Month Flowers?
- The Official Birth Flower Calendar:
- September Birth Month Flowers FAQs:
September Birth Month Flowers: The Aster
History and Origins of Aster Flowers
The official birth flower for September is the aster flower. It is a composite flower from the daisy (Asteraceae) family and is commonly found in the wilds of Southern Europe and North America.
Aster is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants that have late-season blooms. This type of plant has groups of flowers, also known as heads, that sit within a small basket of surrounding leaves. The colorful blooms vary from white and yellow to pastel pinks, blues, purples, while some varieties are vibrant and contain vivid hues.
Asters are known to many as starworts, frost flowers, China Asters, and Michaelmas daisies.
Pollinators like bees and butterflies love these abundant flowers since they are late-season bloomers and provide necessary pollen and nectar for them later in the year. While other garden flowers have died off, asters continue to bloom well into the fall, making them necessary for pollinating insects.
Etymology
The name aster originated from a Greek word that means “star,” referring to the star-shaped flowers of the plant. The relevance also concerns popular Greek mythology about the Greek Titan goddess of falling stars and nighttime divinations, Asteria. According to a legend, the aster flower came from Asteria’s tears as she began to cry when the stars in the dark sky were too few.
Usese and Benefits
This September flower plays an essential role in traditional medicine. Ancient people smoked and burned these flowers to ward off any negative energy in an area. Moreover, native tribes use these flowers as a treatment against muscle pain, headaches, colds, and flue.
Aster Flower Meaning and Symbolism
Aster flower, the birth flower for September, holds a variety of meanings and symbolism. Generally, it conveys faith, love, achievement, and wisdom. It also means bravery, patience, and good luck wishes. In some cultures, star-shaped flowers are expressions of grief for the death of a loved one. In the Victorian era, the flower represents charm and daintiness.
Asters come in different hues, including purple, white, pink, and red. Purple aster flowers are the most recognized. As with other purple blooms, they signify royalty and wisdom since the color purple has long been a known emblem of the royal family in Europe.
White asters, on the other hand, symbolize innocence and purity. They also represent new beginnings, which makes them the ideal flowers for celebrations like a graduation or a new job. Pink aster flowers are a representation of love and sensitivity, while red aster flowers are a symbol of undying devotion.
Interestingly, this September flower is one of two official 20th wedding anniversary flowers. The other one is the day lily flower.
September Birth Month Flowers: The Morning Glory
History and Origins of Morning Glory Flowers
Morning Glory is the other birth flower for September and the 11th wedding anniversary flower. Interestingly, this flower blooms in the morning and dies within the day hence the name “Morning Glory.”
The Morning Glory has been grown as a decorative garden addition for centuries. Interestingly, there isn’t one specific species of flower that use this name either.
With over 1,000 different species included under the general umbrella of the Morning Glory name, it’s hard to sum them all up.
In general, almost any member of the Convolvulaceae family can be called a Morning Glory. There are nearly a dozen different genera that fall into the larger family, including Ipomoea, Rivea, Calystegia, and Merremia.
Despite the common name, many varieties of Morning Glories actually bloom at night instead.
Etymological Meaning
The common name of Morning Glory is linked to the blooming habits of the majority of species that share this moniker. They tend to bloom early in the morning and close by the end of the day.
Most flowers only last one day, while some varieties may reopen the next day. The scientific name of Convolvulaceae refers to the vining habit of the plants.
Morning Glory Flower Meaning and Symbolism
In the language of flowers, morning glory blooms represent unrequited love because of their short lifespan. They also symbolize affection, mortality, mourning, and resurrection.
In Chinese tradition, these flowers signify a single day for lovers to meet. The folklore behind this is that when two young lovers fell in love and neglected their duties, the gods separated them on opposite sides of the Silver River and permitted them to meet for only a day a year.
This September flowers comes in different hues, including purple, blue, white, yellow, and red. White morning glory flowers symbolize purity and innocence, while red morning glories signify a strong heart.
Other Popular In-Season September Flowers
Here are some of the most popular September flowers to consider gifting for birthday celebrants this month that work beautifully as standalone arrangements or alongside the official September birth month flowers.
Cosmos
Cosmos are popular ornamental plants cultivated as cut flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements. They are annuals with daisy-like flowers in pink, white, red, orange, and purple hues, among many others. Attached to these breathtaking flowers are many meanings and symbolism, including love, innocence, peace, and tranquility.
Hydrangea
Another popular cut flower that blooms in September is the hydrangea flower. Renowned for their full flower heads, attractive colors, and overall dainty and classy appeal, hydrangeas have always been a regular sight in different floral arrangements, especially for weddings and romantic celebrations. These blooms generally symbolize beauty, elegance, and gratefulness.
Dahlias
With their undeniable beauty and brilliant shades, dahlias quickly brighten up any floral arrangement and décor. Dahlia flowers often hold different meanings and symbolism, also known as the National Flower of Mexico. Generally, they signify grace, inner strength, dignity, change, and creativity. They also mean commitment or everlasting bonds.
Why Are There Two Birth Month Flowers in September?
September is represented by two birth flowers: the Aster and Morning Glory. While there isn’t a single reason why some months have more than one birth flower, several factors contribute to this phenomenon.
The most common likely reason for two birth month flowers in September can be attributed to folklore and cultural variances across regions and countries over time. Various traditions of assigning flowers to birth months have developed. These traditions can depend on the local climate, which influences what flowers bloom during a particular month, as well as local folklore and customs.
Moreover, different flowers carry different meanings in the language of flowers, a symbolic system that was particularly popular during the Victorian era. Two flowers for one month allow for a richer range of symbolic expressions.
What are the Origins of September Birth Month Flowers?
The tradition of September 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 September birth month flowers that 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 more, see our in-depth guide to the Official Birth Month Flowers.
For the best local florists curating beautiful September birth 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, 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). |
September Birth Month Flowers FAQs:
Is September’s birth flower aster or morning glory?
September’s official birth flowers include both the aster and morning glory.
What flower represents September?
In the language of flowers, the official flowers to celebrate September birthdays include the aster flower and the morning glory flower.
Why does September have two flowers?
September’s official birth flower, aster, has roots in floriography dating back to Ancient Greece. The name aster originated from a Greek word that means “star,” referring to the star-shaped flowers of the plant. The relevance also concerns popular Greek mythology about the Greek Titan goddess of falling stars and nighttime divinations, Asteria. The other September birth flower morning glory represents unrequited love because of its short lifespan. They also symbolize affection, mortality, mourning, and resurrection.
Are aster flowers available in September?
Aster flowers typically bloom from late summer through autumn and are abundant during September.
What does the aster birth flower mean?
Aster flowers symbolize love, wisdom, patience, faith, elegance, and beauty. Each variety of color will carry its own deep symbolism, from nobility to friendship and even purity.
Can I give Aster or Morning Glory as birthday gifts in September?
Both Asters and Morning Glories can make lovely and thoughtful birthday gifts for those born in September. Their rich colors and beautiful blooms can be a beautiful surprise for the recipient.
Are there any superstitions or traditions associated with Aster and Morning Glory?
Asters were believed to have healing properties in ancient times and were often used in various remedies. Morning Glories have been used in multiple cultures for their hallucinogenic properties, but it’s important to note that they can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Can I use these flowers in a bouquet?
Asters are popular for bouquets and floral arrangements due to their bright, showy flowers. Morning Glories are less commonly used in traditional bouquets due to their vine nature and short-lived flowers.
What are other names for these flowers?
Asters are sometimes known as starworts, Michaelmas daisies, or frost flowers. Morning Glory is also known by its genus, “Ipomoea.”
September Birth Flowers – Wrapping Up
The September birth flowers, Aster and Morning Glory, offer rich symbolism and beautiful ornamental value for birthday celebrants this month. With its associations of love, wisdom, and courage, the Aster presents a message of strength and devotion. The delicate Morning Glory symbolizes life’s fleeting moments and the enduring cycle of life.
For more, see our guide to the best birthday messages and quotes to share with friends, family, and loved ones.