In addition to birthstones, months are also designated one or more birth flowers, with each bud personifying distinct traits. Whether or not these flowers truly reflect a birthday boy or girl, composing a unique gift of birth flowers can be a thoughtful gesture. Halle Frey of Flower and Fringe in West Palm Beach put together this joint July/August birth flower bouquet consisting of larkspurs, poppies, and gladioluses. (561-596-4831)

Birth Flowers at a Glance

January:
Carnation, different meaning depending on color with red representing love, pink meaning affection, white indicating pure love, and yellow signifying rejection. Snowdrop, connotes beauty and hope.

February:
Violet, associated with loyalty. Primrose, often correlated with youth and the inability to live without someone special.

March:
Daffodil, represents deep, unequaled love. Jonquil, a type of daffodil used to indicate friendship.

April:
Daisy, associated with innocence and purity. Sweet pea, frequently employed to say goodbye but also represents blissful pleasure.

May:
Lily of the valley, means humility and sweetness. Hawthorn, signifies hope and the utmost happiness.

June:
Rose, numerous meanings depending on color, including love (red), innocence (white), and even jealousy (yellow). Honeysuckle, is also representative of the bonds of love.

July:
Water lily, conveys purity. Larkspur, meaning varies depending on color but can represent fickleness (pink), joyfulness (white), and a first love (purple).

August:
Gladiolus, signifies integrity. Poppy, takes on different connotations based on its hue, with red equaling pleasure and yellow translating to success.

September:
Aster, representative of powerful love. Morning glory, totems of affection.

October:
Marigold, associated with the fiercest of loves. Cosmos, correlates to peace and serenity.

November:
Chrysanthemum, another one with multihued meanings, with red being love, white being purity, and yellow being a slighted love.

December:
Narcissus, symbolizes egoism and confidence. Holly, conveys domestic happiness.