If you’re getting ready to celebrate an August birthday, remember to include two special flowers.
The poppy and the gladiolus are perfect in flower arrangements and can make gorgeous gifts for your loved ones.
But what do you really know about these flowers and their significance?
Keep reading to discover more about August’s amazing birth flowers!
10 Facts About Gladioli
Gladioli are native to Africa, Europe, and the Mediterranean region. Many gladioli, such as the white and orange Abyssinian gladiolus, have South African origins.
You can find gladioli in many different colors and sizes. The plants grow up to six feet (182 cm) tall, and their flowers can be more than five inches (12.7 cm) across!
If you think the word gladiolus is too long, you can call these flowers by the short version of their name. They are informally known as “glads.”
Hummingbirds, mice, and squirrels love gladioli! But don’t let your dogs, cats, or horses near them, as the flowers are toxic to these furry friends.
Gladioli have medicinal properties and have been used in countries such as Kenya to treat malaria, meningitis, and ulcers. Traditionally, people in England used the flowers as a bandage to remove splinters and thorns.
You don’t need to plant new gladioli each year. They will grow back naturally and make your garden look beautiful. People like to plant them along garden borders and in containers.
They have been given the nickname “Sword Lily” because of their shape. They were associated with the gladiators of Ancient Rome, who are believed to have worn them for protection while fighting.
The gladiolus is a special floral symbol for 40th wedding anniversaries. If you’re celebrating a wedding anniversary and a birthday in August, it’s a no-brainer to include gladioli!
Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh painted many flowers, including gladioli. One of his famous pieces is the Vase with Red Gladioli, completed in 1886.
The gladiolus represents faithfulness, integrity, and strength of character. The color of the gladiolus can also change its meaning; for example, red gladioli symbolizes love and romance.
10 Facts About Poppies
Poppies are grown all over the world. Some are native to North America and grow in sunny states like California, while others grow in the Middle East and Central Asia.
The ingredients in some modern pain relief medications, such as morphine and codeine, are taken from poppies.
Poppies grew in abundance in the churned-up soil at the Battle of Flanders in France during World War One. Later, these flowers became an international symbol of remembrance for those lost in conflicts.
A doctor from Canada, John McCrae, served in the army and wrote the famous poem, In Flanders Field, after seeing the poppies in Flanders. It was first printed in December 1915 and was used to help recruit soldiers during World War One.
Every year, the Royal British Legion runs a “Poppy Appeal,” raising awareness and support for the armed forces. During the event, 40,000 volunteers distribute 40 million poppies.
In 1922, Major George Howson opened the Poppy Factory in England. He wanted to employ injured soldiers who could make decorative poppies. By the 1930s, the Poppy Factory was producing around 30 million poppies every year.
Poppies have other meanings, too. Yellow poppies represent optimism and hope, orange poppies are linked to health, and white poppies are a symbol of innocence.
In 2023, Poppy was the 289th most popular name for girls born in the United States.
In the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch traps Dorothy and her dog Toto by making them fall asleep in a field of hypnotic poppies. Glinda, the Good Witch, uses her magic wand to make the poppies harmless and wake up Dorothy and Toto.
Poppies are the topic of remembrance songs, but they have also made their way into mainstream pop culture. American duo Chloe x Halle released a song called Poppy Flower in 2017.
August’s birth flowers may seem very different from each other, but they both have incredible stories to share.
Gladioli and poppies bring a rich and varied history, symbolizing positive characteristics like faithfulness, integrity, and hopefulness.
As you prepare for an August birthday, don’t forget about these beautiful flowers and their captivating facts!
