April Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?

You may wonder what the April birth flower is: April has two birth flowers: the Daisy and the Sweet Pea.

Why Are There Two Birth Flowers in April?

The tradition of having two birth flowers in April, as in many other months, provides greater variety and choices for individuals to associate with their birth month. This allows for a richer and more personalized connection to the flowers that represent them.

Having two birth flowers for April enables people to choose the one they feel a stronger connection with based on appearance, fragrance, meaning, or symbolism. It also offers florists and gift-givers more options when selecting flowers for birthdays or other celebrations related to a person’s birth month. In some cases, one of the flowers might be more readily available or have a longer blooming season, making it a more practical choice for certain regions or times of the year.

April Primary Birth Flower: Daisy

Daisies are charming flowers known for their simple yet elegant appearance. They are native to Europe and Asia but have been naturalized in many other parts of the world. Daisies have been appreciated for their beauty, symbolism, and various uses for centuries.

History: Daisies have a long history dating back to ancient times. They were known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who used them for their medicinal properties, particularly for treating skin conditions, wounds, and digestive issues. In the Middle Ages, daisies were associated with innocence and purity, often appearing in depictions of the Virgin Mary. During the Victorian era, daisies continued to be a popular symbol of innocence, as well as love and loyalty.

Meaning: Daisies carry various symbolic meanings, which have evolved over time. Some of the most common meanings associated with daisies include:

• Innocence: Their simple, pure appearance has led to their connection with innocence and purity.
• Love: Daisies have been used to symbolize romantic love, often in the context of courtship or secret admirers.
• Loyalty: The resilience and hardiness of daisies represent loyalty and steadfastness in relationships.
• New beginnings: Daisies, as spring-blooming flowers, also symbolize fresh starts and new beginnings.

Daisies are often used in floral arrangements and bouquets to convey these various meanings. Their timeless charm and rich symbolism make them a popular and meaningful flower that continues to be valued and appreciated today.

The three popular types of daisies are the English Daisy, Oxeye Daisy, and Shasta Daisy.

English Daisy (Bellis perennis)

• Description: These perennial plants have spoon-shaped leaves and composite flower heads with a yellow central disc surrounded by white or pinkish petals.
• Growth habit: They form low-growing clumps and reach a height of 3-6 inches (7-15 cm).
• Flowers: The flowers are composed of numerous small florets, with the outer petals forming a single whorl around the central disc.
• Blooming season: Common Daisies bloom in spring and summer.
• Hardiness: They are hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
• Sunlight and soil: Common Daisies prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
• Garden uses: They are often used in borders, rock gardens, or cottage gardens.
• History: Native to Europe and Asia, Common Daisies have been cultivated for centuries.
• Meaning: They symbolize innocence, purity, and loyal love.

Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

• Description: These perennial plants have long, lance-shaped leaves and composite flower heads with a yellow central disc surrounded by white petals.
• Growth habit: They form clumps and reach a height of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm).
• Flowers: The flowers are composed of many small florets, with the outer petals forming a single whorl around the central disc.
• Blooming season: Oxeye Daisies bloom from late spring to late summer.
• Hardiness: They are hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
• Sunlight and soil: Oxeye Daisies prefer full sun and well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
• Garden uses: They are often used in borders, meadows, or naturalized areas.
• History: Native to Europe and Asia, Oxeye Daisies have naturalized in many parts of North America.
• Meaning: They symbolize patience and simplicity.

Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum)

• Description: These perennial plants have dark green, lance-shaped leaves and composite flower heads with a yellow central disc surrounded by white petals.
• Growth habit: They form clumps and reach a height of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm).
• Flowers: The flowers are composed of many small florets, with the outer petals forming a single whorl around the central disc.
• Blooming season: Shasta Daisies bloom from early to late summer.
• Hardiness: They are hardy in USDA zones 5-9.
• Sunlight and soil: Shasta Daisies prefer full sun and well-draining, fertile soil.
• Garden uses: They are often used in borders, cottage gardens, or as cut flowers.
• History: Shasta Daisies are a hybrid species created in the early 20th century by American horticulturist Luther Burbank.
• Meaning: Like other daisies, Shasta Daisies symbolize innocence, purity, and loyal love.

April Secondary Birth Flower: Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet peas are fragrant, climbing flowers known for their delicate, butterfly-like blooms and lovely scent. They are native to the eastern Mediterranean region, particularly Italy, Greece, and Turkey, and have been appreciated for their beauty, symbolism, and various uses for centuries.

Description: Sweet Peas are annual climbing plants with winged leaves and clusters of fragrant, butterfly-like flowers.

Growth habit: Sweet Peas can grow up to 3-8 feet (90-240 cm) tall with support from a trellis or other structure.

Flowers: The flowers come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, and blue.

Blooming season: Sweet Peas bloom from late spring to fall.

Hardiness: Sweet Peas are frost-tender annuals.

Sunlight and soil: They prefer full sun to light shade and well-draining, fertile soil.

Garden uses: Sweet Peas are often used in borders, cottage gardens, or as cut flowers.

History: Sweet peas were first introduced to Europe in the late 17th century by a Sicilian monk named Franciscus Cupani. They quickly gained popularity as ornamental plant in European gardens for their lovely fragrance and beautiful flowers. In the 19th century, sweet peas became highly fashionable in England, where they were cultivated and bred for a variety of colors and forms. Horticulturist Henry Eckford played a significant role in developing many of the sweet pea varieties we know today.

Over the years, sweet peas have been used for various purposes, including as a cut flower, for fragrance, and as an ornamental plant in gardens. They have also been featured in art, literature, and poetry, often symbolizing love, romance, and friendship.

Meaning: Sweet peas carry various symbolic meanings, which have evolved over time. Some of the most common meanings associated with sweet peas include:

• Delicate pleasure: Sweet peas represent the enjoyment of simple, beautiful moments in life.
• Gratitude: Their lovely fragrance and appearance make sweet peas a symbol of appreciation and thankfulness.
• Goodbye or departure: Sweet peas are often used to convey farewell wishes or the end of an era.
• Friendship and love: The gentle, lovely nature of sweet peas makes them a symbol of affection, companionship, and love.

Sweet peas are often used in floral arrangements and bouquets to convey these various meanings. Their enchanting fragrance, beautiful blooms, and rich symbolism make them a popular and meaningful flower that continues to be valued and appreciated today.

Why they have been selected: As a birth flower for April, Sweet Peas represent the joy and appreciation that people born in this month bring to others.

Fun facts: Sweet Peas are known for their captivating fragrance, and many cultivars have been bred specifically for their scent and flower size.