July has beautiful birth flowers for one born at the peak of summer, which are beautiful and have a lot of historical and emotional meanings. Be it bouquets intended for gift-giving, birthday planning, or just appreciation of the symbolism of such flowers, such deeper knowledge about the hidden meanings will bind us more intimately closer to this month of midsummer.
Delphinium
Delphinium is the traditional Western birth flower for July. That pairing didn’t come out of nowhere. It goes all the way back to Victorian flower language, when people developed the first known system of assigning specific meanings and feelings to specific plants. Larkspur was chosen for July because of its bold, upright nature and how it thrives in summer heat.
You’ll find shades of blue and lavender and sometimes soft pink or white. It grows fast and blooms in mid to late summer. It’s one of those flowers that dances above the rest by holding its head up high and proud. This flower symbolizes lightness, positivity, and an open heart.
Delphinium was used in ancient times as a charm to ward off scorpions. People believed placing it around stables and homes would keep bad energy away. That protective quality stuck through the centuries.
As for care, keep it in fresh, clean water and give it room to breathe. The stems are hollow and delicate so cut them under water to avoid air bubbles. Also, every part of this flower is toxic if ingested. So if you’ve got curious pets or little kids, keep larkspur out of reach.
Shasta daisy
The story behind Shasta daisies is fascinating. They came to life in the late 19th century when horticulturist Luther Burbank bred them by crossing several daisy types. He wanted a bright white bloom that could handle different climates and still look clean and classic.
These improved daisies are more robust, with larger flowers and a longer bloom time than their wild counterparts. The sturdy stems and long vase life make Shasta daisies superb cut flowers and popular easy care perennials.
How to care of cut daisies:
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Fill half of the the vase with clean cold water.
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Add flower food.
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Cut small stems diagonally and, if possible, make a small incision inside to facilitate absorption.
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Place the pot in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
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Check the water level daily. Change the water and trim the stems every 2-3 days.