Did you know that each month has two birth flowers and not just one? Yep, it’s double the floral fun! This tradition goes back to the Victorian Era at least, with some roots stretching even further into ancient cultures. Each flower, both the main and the secondary, has its own unique backstory that explains why it’s the perfect fit for its month. At Kitty’s Flowers in Salisbury, Maryland, we’re here to give you all the details and make it easy to see why these blooms are so special.

January: Carnation, Snowdrop

Carnations take us way back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where they were key players in big celebrations like royal coronations. Some say the name comes from the Latin word “carnis,” meaning flesh, because of their classic pink hue. Snowdrops, January’s other bloom, are serious winter warriors — it takes real guts to bloom when everything’s frozen. No wonder they’ve been celebrated in the myths and stories of various cultures for centuries as symbols of resilience and renewal.

February: Violet, Iris

Violets take us all the way back to Ancient Greece, where they were known as symbols of romance and fertility — and even made their way into love potions and perfumes. During the Renaissance, they inspired poets, artists, and writers as muses of love. By the Victorian era, violets symbolized loyalty and fidelity. Irises, loved by the Egyptians and Romans, were later adored by artists like Vincent Van Gogh. Plus, they’re named after the Greek rainbow goddess, Iris, which totally adds to their magic.

March: Daffodil, Jonquil

Daffodils belong to the Narcissus family, and if that name rings a bell, you probably remember the Greek myth! Narcissus was the handsome youth who got so enamored by his own reflection in the water that he drowned while staring at it. Legend has it, a daffodil bloomed in the spot where he died. In Chinese folklore, if a daffodil blossoms on day one of the year, it’s a sign that wealth and fortune are on the way. Jonquils, which are pretty much daffodils with several blooms per stem, symbolize optimism, fresh starts, and a hint of romance.

April: Daisy, Sweet Pea

Daisies pop up in Norse and Roman mythology, and they’ve got some pretty cool stories behind them. In Norse legends, they’re tied to motherhood and childbirth because they were Freyja’s favorite flower. In Roman mythology, a nymph called Belides turned herself into a daisy to dodge the unwanted attention of a lovestruck god. Sweet peas, on the other hand, got their big break in Europe thanks to a Sicilian monk in the 1600s. Maybe that’s why the French started giving them to brides as a good luck charm on their wedding day!

May: Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn

Lily of the Valley has an intriguing backstory in Greek mythology — Apollo, always the creative one, used it to lay down a soft, fragrant walkway for his nine muses. In Christian tradition, it’s said to have bloomed where the Virgin Mary’s or Eve’s tears fell. Over in Celtic culture, Hawthorn was an important bloom, believed to have fairy magic and protective powers. It was also tied to fertility, which explains why the Celts decorated with it during Beltane celebrations.

June: Rose, Honeysuckle

Roses have been the number one love flower for ages, tied to romance in just about every culture. Naturally, love goddesses like Venus and Aphrodite were associated with them. Their cultivation started centuries ago in places like Persia and China, proving just how timeless they are. Honeysuckle, with its sweet scent, was a favorite in European folklore, believed to ward off bad vibes. And in Greek myths, lovers Chloe and Daphnis had to wait for honeysuckle to be in bloom to be together — talk about a love story!

July: Larkspur, Water Lily

In Medieval England, people believed delphiniums had magical powers, so they were often used in potions and elixirs. In Pawnee mythology, these flowers were said to have bloomed after a mystical dream woman cut a hole in the sky, allowing pieces of it to fall to earth. On the other hand, water lilies are all about enlightenment in many East Asian traditions, symbolizing wisdom and purity. In Ancient Egypt, they were tied to creation itself and had strong connections to the sun god Ra.

August: Gladiolus, Poppy

The name gladiolus comes from the Latin gladius, which means sword. It’s fitting, since these flowers grow tall and striking. Back in the days of Ancient Rome, gladiators wore them for good luck in the arena, and if they won, fans would throw even more their way. Poppies were sacred to Osiris, the Ancient Egyptian god, and represented sleep, dreams, and the cycle of rebirth. These days, poppies are best known as tribute flowers to soldiers who perished in war.

September: Aster, Morning Glory

Asters were treasured in Ancient Rome and Greece, often used to decorate temples and sacred spaces. According to legend, they sprang from the tears of the goddess of stars, after she wept over the night sky’s emptiness. Morning glories were just as special — both the Aztecs and Mayans believed they had mystical properties and used them in potions for ceremonies. In Ancient Egypt, these blooms symbolized resurrection and were even carved onto sarcophagi as a tribute to eternal life.

October: Marigold, Cosmo

Marigolds are famous for their role in Día de los Muertos; on this sacred occasion, they’re used in Mexico, Central America, and beyond to honor loved ones who’ve passed. But they’re also a big deal in India, especially during Diwali, the festival of light, where they symbolize joy and celebration. Cosmos blossoms, on the other hand, are all about balance — their name literally comes from the cosmos, and their perfectly arranged petals reflect that universal harmony.

November: Chrysanthemums, Peony

Chrysanthemums have been a big deal in Asia for thousands of years. Japan made them their national flower, linking them to the sun and a long, healthy life. In Chinese tradition, mums belong to the “Four Noble Ones,” symbolizing the season of autumn and human integrity. Peonies, meanwhile, have some serious drama in their backstory. Paeon, a disciple of Asclepius, discovered something groundbreaking in medicine, but his teacher wasn’t thrilled — he was seriously jealous. Zeus had to get involved and saved Paeon by disguising him as a peony.

December: Holly, Narcissus

The Ancient Celts saw holly trees as sacred, linking them to the powerful Holly King, who ruled from summer to winter solstice. The Romans were also big fans, hanging holly in their houses during Saturnalia to keep bad energy away — all before Christmas even existed! And then there’s narcissus (yes, it makes another appearance in birth flowers). This flower gets its name from the Greek hunter who was obsessed with his reflection to the point that he drowned. Narcissus flowers then bloomed where he lost his life.

Who knew flowers had so much to say? Now that you do, pick out a birthday bouquet at Kitty’s Flowers that’s as thoughtful and unique as the person you’re celebrating!