Forget the zodiac signs—did you know your birth month has two designated flowers? These birth blooms bring a mix of seasonal charm and symbolic meaning, from January’s cozy carnations to December’s cheerful holly. At Eastern Floral, the top florist in Grand Rapids, we’re giving these flowers the spotlight they deserve — diving into their symbolism and aesthetic while also offering stunning and meaningful alternatives to fit every style. Whether you’re curating the perfect birthday bouquet or just want something thoughtful to gift, we’ll help you put a modern spin on these classic birth flowers.

January: Carnation & Snowdrop

The January birth flowers, carnations and snowdrops, are a stunning celebration of love, hope, and fresh beginnings. Snowdrops, with their pure, delicate petals, mirror the soft romance of anemones. Calla lilies add a sleek sophistication while still embodying beauty and rebirth. Carnations are a sweet fluffy bloom similar to peonies — which are lush and radiant and bring wishes of love, happiness, and prosperity to any arrangement.

February: Violet & Iris

The birth flowers of February, violets and irises, embody devotion, faith, and wisdom, with their graceful shapes and velvety purples. To echo their beauty, purple ranunculus offers depth to an arrangement with its layered petals and meaning of admiration and integrity. The gentle fragrance and stunning height of hyacinths represent sincerity and forgiveness. For a lighter, elegant touch, alstroemeria balances the arrangement, symbolizing loyalty, friendship, and warmth.

March: Daffodil & Jonquil

Spring arrives with March and this month’s birth flowers are all about fresh starts. Daffodils and jonquils are the classics, representing renewal, optimism, and affection. If you’re looking for a versatile option, tulips bring the same sense of renewal with an added touch of timeless elegance. Easter lilies are the quiet showstoppers of the season, offering hope, comfort, and a sense of purity with their graceful white blooms. These flowers feel like spring in full bloom—bright, hopeful, and full of life.

April: Daisy & Sweet Pea

April’s birth flowers, daisies and sweet peas, couldn’t be more perfect for spring. Daisies have a timeless charm with their innocent, hopeful energy, and sweet peas add a romantic touch with their soft, ruffled petals and sweet fragrance. For a bold pop of color, gerbera daisies make a fabulous alternative, symbolizing beauty and delight. Pastel tulips echo sweet peas’ message of bliss and loyal connection.

May: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn

When May arrives, its birth flowers thrive! Lily of the valley blooms resemble tiny, delicate bells strung along a single stem, radiating optimism, warmth, and joy. Pink hyacinths are like vibrant spikes of flowers that mimic these cheerful sentiments, symbolizing playfulness and lighthearted happiness. Hawthorn blossoms burst into five-petaled beauties with a cluster of stamens at their center. Much like orchids, these blooms hold a wealth of meanings, including fertility. And, just like peonies, hawthorn flowers are steeped in symbolism, representing happiness in love, protection, and fresh beginnings.

June: Rose & Honeysuckle

June’s birth flowers, roses and honeysuckle, capture the essence of love and happiness in full bloom. Roses are the definition of classic romance, with their velvety petals and rich symbolism, while honeysuckle’s delicate tendrils feel like a whisper of summer sweetness. For blooms that share their beauty and meaning, lilies are a graceful nod to timeless elegance and romance. The soft ruffled petals of ranunculus bring a garden rose-like appeal and a touch of modern beauty that’s impossible to resist.

July: Larkspur & Water Lily

July’s birth flowers, larkspur and water lily, are a celebration of summer’s energy and tranquility. Larkspur’s bold colors and spiky petals are all about joy, sincerity, and strong bonds. Stock flower, a similar tall and lush bloom, has its own twist with a promise of enduring love and happiness. The water lily shifts the mood to calm serenity, representing rebirth, enlightenment, and wisdom. Calla lilies offer a chic alternative, blending elegance and meaning with their smooth curves and timeless appeal.

August: Gladiolus & Poppy

August’s birth flowers are a dazzling duo that pack both strength and peace. Gladiolus steals the spotlight with its tall, striking spikes and bold colors, symbolizing admiration, courage, and resilience. For a similarly vibrant and showy alternative, snapdragons step in, offering the same dramatic height and hues while adding a touch of desire and charm. On the softer side, poppies bring a delicate, almost dreamlike quality with their fluttering petals that look kissed by a summer breeze. Anemones (commonly called wind flowers) are equally graceful blooms that symbolize innocence, purity, and love.

September: Aster & Morning Glory

September’s birth flowers, asters and morning glories, are the ultimate duo of optimism. The daisy-like petals of aster symbolize valor, wisdom, love, and faith. Daisies and sunny sunflowers make perfect stand-ins, bursting with positivity, strength, and loyalty. Morning glories, on the other hand, bring their own magic, blooming with the sunrise and symbolizing renewal and taking on a new day with gusto. For a more dramatic aesthetic, orchids offer a luxurious alternative, blending elegance with a wealth of symbolism.

October: Marigold & Cosmo

The birth flowers of October invite us to reflect on life’s beauty and things that are larger than life. Marigolds are remembered and adored for their warm, fiery tones that symbolize joy, passion, and a deep connection to the cycles of life and the afterlife. Cosmos offer a softer perspective, bringing harmony and balance with their starry, delicate petals. For a similar feeling of purpose and elegance, dahlias evoke strength and creativity, while asters and gerbera daisies add a sweet and playful mood to the season’s palette.

November: Chrysanthemum & Peony

November’s birth flowers capture the heart of the season. Chrysanthemums, crowned the Queen of Fall Flowers, embody perfection, longevity, friendship, and good fortune. Whether it’s the bold drama of football mums or the delicate beauty of daisy mums, their diversity is unmatched. Peonies bring a complementary softness, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and luck in love. If you’re seeking alternatives, sunflowers add warmth and optimism, while dahlias signify grace and growth. For a lush, full-bodied bloom, hydrangeas echo the charm and roundness of peonies beautifully.

December: Holly, Narcissus

December’s flowers are as timeless as the season itself. Holly, with its bold red berries and lush green leaves, is a symbol of positivity, protection, and renewal, perfectly capturing the spirit of winter holidays. Narcissus is more delicate and refined with white or yellow petals representing hope, self-love, and the promise of a new beginning. For a touch of festive glamour, poinsettias exude peace and goodwill, while roses offer an elegant expression of beauty, passion, and romance during the most wonderful time of the year.

From birth month blooms to seasonal look-alikes, Eastern Floral offers top-tier flowers to make every birthday bouquet as thoughtful as it is beautiful.