August Birth Month Flower: A Complete Guide (6 Care Tips)

Each month has a flower (and occasionally two!) connected to it, just as each month has a birthstone. Additionally, each month’s birth flower has a special meaning, symbolizing the distinct traits and attributes of people born in that month, much like birthstones do.
Two unique august birth month flowers – gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) and the poppy (Papaver spp.), symbolize a month marked by plenty of sunshine and the slow transition from summer to autumn. In addition to adding to the season’s inherent beauty, these blossoms have deep symbolic meanings and rich history that speak to those who were born in this colorful month. Continue reading to know more about the august birth month flower.

Poppy: Symbolism And History

august birth month flower

Poppy flowers (August Birth Month Flower) are full of symbolism, with meanings that have changed throughout time and across countries. We had to reduce them to these essential symbolic meanings because there are so many:

Peace and remembering: Above all, poppies are a potent symbol of remembrance. The renowned war ballad “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae was a major factor in their post-World War I rise to fame. As a moving reminder of the sacrifices made throughout the war, the crimson poppy came to symbolize the blood of dead warriors.
Dreams and imagination: Poppies are also linked to dreams and imagination. They have a dreamlike character due to their delicate, ethereal look, which connects them to the imagination and the fantastical parts of the mind.
Eternal calm and sleep: The poppy’s connection to serenity and sleep dates back to ancient times when the opium poppy’s sedative qualities were widely recognized. The concept of eternal rest and death is also linked to sleep; it represents a tranquil passage and comfort for the departed.
Pleasure and success: In many traditions, poppies represent happiness and fulfillment in life, and they are a symbol of both. This good connotation is further enhanced by their lively and upbeat appearance. source

Since ancient times, poppies have played a significant role in human civilization. They were linked to Morpheus, the god of dreams, in Greek mythology, emphasizing the flower’s connection to sleep and the dream realm. Due to its sedative qualities, the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) has been utilized traditionally in both medicine and ceremonies. Poppies’ continued appearance in numerous cultural tales highlights their importance in a variety of historical periods and social contexts.

Gladiolus: Symbolism And History

august birth month flower

With its vividly colored spikes, the gladiolus, sometimes known as the “sword lily” (August Birth Month Flower) because of its sword-like leaves, is a tall plant. Its name, which reflects its unusual foliage, comes from the Latin word “gladius,” which means sword. The gladiolus is a symbol for power, moral rectitude, and passion. The phrase “you pierce my heart,” which expresses intense emotion and admiration, is expressed in the language of flowers. Every gladiolus color variant has an own meaning.

Red: Passion and love
Pink: Motherly tenderness and compassion
White: Pure and innocent
Yellow: Happiness and companionship
Purple: elegance and enigma

The gladiolus has a long and illustrious history that dates back to ancient Rome. Gladioli are indigenous to South Africa and arrived in Europe and the United States in the middle of the eighteenth century. Europeans started hybridizing them during the early 1800s, initially in England and thereafter in other nations on the continent. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the flower’s popularity in America skyrocketed. Gladioli come in dozens of colors and about 260 kinds today.

August Birth Month Flower: Essential Care Tips

Both the August Birth Month Flower- poppy and the gladiolus are prized for their aesthetic qualities as well as their ease of cultivation, which makes them lovely complements to any garden.

Gladiolus:

Planting: Full light and well-draining soil are ideal for gladiolus corms. Plant corms every two weeks from late spring to early summer for continuous blooms all season long.
Watering: It’s important to water frequently, particularly during dry seasons, but make sure the soil doesn’t get soggy.
Support: Taller types may need to be staked to keep the spikes from bending or breaking because of their height.
Fertilization: During the growing season, using balanced fertilizer can encourage strong growth and colorful blooms.

Poppy:

Planting: Poppies like full sun and soil that drains well. Since they need a period of cold to sprout well, they can be sown straight into the garden in the early spring or fall.
Watering: Poppies need little watering once they are established and are comparatively drought-tolerant. Root rot can result from overwatering.
Maintenance: While letting some seeds spread can produce lovely, naturalized drifts in later seasons, deadheading spent flowers helps extend the flowering season and stop self-seeding.