If you’re curious about the July birth flower, think of it as a small, living emblem that captures the heat, color, and spirit of midsummer. Instead of just botanical facts, this guide looks at how July’s bloom speaks to celebration, resilience, and personal stories. Read on to discover the meanings, traditions, and ways to wear your July flower with pride.
1. What are the birth flowers for the month of July?
The July birth flower celebrates the heart of summer with two stunning blooms that perfectly reflect the month’s warmth and vitality (the larkspur and the water lily). Each flower carries its own beauty and meaning, offering different ways to express emotion and personality. While the larkspur embodies joy, positivity, and an open heart, the water lily stands for purity, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Across centuries and cultures, these flowers have been admired not only for their appearance but also for their symbolic depth. From heartfelt birthday gifts to meaningful tattoos or garden choices, the birth flowers for July connect people to nature’s rhythm and the season’s bright energy. Together, they remind us of the balance between exuberant growth and serene reflection that defines midsummer’s charm.
July birth flower: Larkspur and Water Lily
>>> Read more: Birth Flower For All Months: Chart, Meaning & Guide
2. Larkspur July birth flower
The larkspur, one of July’s birth flowers, is a vibrant symbol of positivity, lightness, and joy. Celebrated for its tall, graceful blooms and cheerful colors, it captures the uplifting spirit of midsummer and makes a meaningful choice for gifts, decorations, or personal keepsakes.
2.1. Description
Larkspur is a charming and eye-catching annual from the Ranunculaceae family, known for its tall, slender stalks that can reach one to three feet. Its flowers grow in vibrant spikes, each with five delicate petals and a distinctive spur at the center, resembling a lark’s tail in flight, which gives the flower its poetic name. Larkspurs come in beautiful shades of deep blue, purple, pink, and white, adding vertical elegance and drama to gardens or floral arrangements. Its soft, fern-like leaves provide a gentle contrast to the bold blooms, while also attracting pollinators, helping gardens thrive and buzz with summer life.
Larkspur has a slender stalks with shades of deep blue, purple
2.2. Meaning and Symbolism
The larkspur, as July’s birth flower, carries rich symbolism rooted in Victorian floriography, where it was used to convey messages of positivity and emotional openness. Its meanings go beyond beauty, reflecting personal qualities and the bonds we share with others. Here are some key interpretations:
-
Lightness and levity: Larkspur represents a carefree spirit and the ability to rise above challenges, much like the bird it’s named after. Historically, it was gifted to bring joy during difficult times, reminding recipients to embrace life’s lighter moments. This resonates with July-born individuals, often seen as warm and welcoming, spreading happiness wherever they go.
-
Open heart and positivity: Symbolizing vulnerability and trust, larkspur encourages openness in relationships. In Victorian times, including it in floral arrangements expressed sincere affection without reservation. Today, it still serves as a reminder to approach life and connections with optimism, nurturing stronger bonds and mental well-being.
-
Dignity and grace: With its tall, elegant spikes, larkspur embodies poise and steadfast character. Ancient lore also linked it to protection against negative energies, reinforcing its symbolism of honorable intentions. Giving larkspur is a thoughtful way to celebrate someone’s integrity, making it perfect for birthdays or milestones that honor personal growth.
2.3. History of Larkspur
The larkspur has a fascinating history that stretches back to ancient Greece, where people admired its dolphin-shaped buds and named it delphinium, after the Greek word for dolphin. Back then, it was also believed to protect against evil spirits, giving it a mystical charm.
In medieval Europe, larkspur found its way into gardens not just for its beauty but also for medicinal uses, with extracts sometimes applied to treat ailments like rheumatism—though its natural toxicity kept it from being widely used. By the 19th century, during the Victorian era, larkspur became a favorite in the language of flowers, allowing people to share feelings and messages through carefully arranged, color-coded bouquets.
2.4. Some facts about Larkspur
Growing Habit: Larkspur thrives as an annual plant, enjoying cool, moist conditions with full sun to partial shade. It’s easy to grow, as it self-seeds readily, spreading naturally in garden beds without much extra care.
Blooming Season: These flowers typically bloom from early to mid-summer, around June through August, making them a perfect highlight for July gardens before the peak summer heat.
Function: Beyond their striking beauty, larkspurs are excellent cut flowers for bouquets, attract helpful pollinators like bees and butterflies, and were historically used as a natural dye. While lovely, it’s important to handle them carefully due to their naturally toxic compounds.
>>> Learn more: What Is The August Birth Flower? Meaning & Symbolism
3. Water Lily July birth flower
The water lily, one of July’s birth flowers, is celebrated for its serene beauty and sense of calm. Revered across cultures for centuries, it symbolizes purity, renewal, and peace, making it a meaningful choice for birthdays, gifts, or personal inspiration during the heart of summer.
3.1. Description
The water lily is a stunning aquatic plant from the Nymphaeaceae family, known for its broad, floating leaves and graceful, cup-shaped flowers that seem to hover above calm waters. Found in temperate and tropical regions around the world, water lilies bloom in soft, soothing shades of white, pink, and yellow, with delicate layers of petals that open beautifully in the morning light.
Rooted firmly in muddy substrates, their stems and leaves form a lush, floating canopy that not only adds elegance to ponds and lakes but also provides shelter for fish and other aquatic life. Celebrated for their serene beauty, water lilies have even inspired artists like Claude Monet, earning a place as natural masterpieces in gardens and landscapes everywhere.
A pink water lily floats serenely on the surface of a pond
3.2. Meaning and Symbolism
The water lily, as July’s birth flower, carries rich symbolism centered on enlightenment, peace, and resilience, drawing from centuries of spiritual and cultural traditions. Its meanings shift with color and context, offering a versatile way to express hope, harmony, and personal growth. Here are some key interpretations:
-
Purity and Innocence: Rising beautifully from murky waters, the water lily represents unspoiled beauty and moral clarity. In Egyptian mythology, the blue lotus symbolized rebirth, opening at dawn to greet the sun god Ra. This makes water lilies a thoughtful gift for July birthdays, symbolizing fresh beginnings and a lighthearted spirit.
-
Enlightenment and Wisdom: Linked to Buddhist traditions through its close relative, the lotus, the water lily embodies spiritual awakening and clarity. Growing immaculate from muddy origins, it encourages intellectual growth, mindfulness, and a calm, reflective approach.
-
Peace and Tranquility: Floating serenely on still waters, the water lily conveys harmony and emotional balance. In Victorian floriography, it symbolized devoted love and fertility, while in Hinduism, it represents divine creation. As a birth flower for July, it’s a gentle reminder to embrace serenity and stay grounded amidst life’s busyness.
3.3. History of Water Lily
The water lily has enchanted people for thousands of years, with its story beginning in ancient Egypt around 2000 BCE. The sacred blue lotus, a close relative, was featured in tomb art and rituals, symbolizing resurrection and the afterlife, and was often placed on mummies. In ancient Greece and Rome, water lilies appeared in myths and stories, associated with beauty and nymphs floating gracefully on sacred ponds.
By the 18th century, European explorers introduced tropical varieties to botanical gardens, sparking a wave of fascination and hybridization. Visionaries like Joseph Paxton even designed massive lily houses to showcase these stunning plants. The 19th-century Impressionists, especially Claude Monet, elevated the water lily’s status further, immortalizing its serene beauty in paintings of his Giverny pond.
3.4. Some facts about Water Lily
Growing Habit: Water lilies are perennial aquatic plants, anchored by rhizomes in pond beds. Hardy varieties thrive in temperate climates, while tropical types need warmer waters to survive the winter.
Blooming Season: These flowers bloom from late spring to early fall, opening with the sunlight and closing at night. Their daily rhythm makes them a beautiful highlight during July’s long summer days.
Function: Beyond their beauty, water lilies help purify water by absorbing nutrients and oxygenating aquatic ecosystems. They also serve as ornamental features in ponds and, historically, were used in herbal remedies for their mild calming effects.
4. Common question about July birth flowers
1. What colors are most common for the July birth flower larkspur?
The July birth flower, larkspur, most commonly blooms in beautiful shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Blue larkspurs, often compared to the color of a clear summer sky, are especially popular and symbolize dignity and grace. Pink varieties express gentle affection and romantic feelings, while white blooms represent purity and new beginnings.
2. How do I care for water lily plants in a home pond?
Caring for water lily plants in a home pond is easier than it looks, and a few simple steps will keep them healthy and blooming beautifully. Start by planting the rhizomes in shallow, sunny pond baskets filled with heavy loam soil, making sure the roots are covered while leaving the growing tips exposed. Keep the water level around 12–18 inches to give the plant enough space to thrive. Fertilize lightly in spring to encourage strong growth, but avoid overdoing it to prevent algae buildup. In colder climates, hardy varieties can be overwintered by gradually reducing water levels and protecting the rhizomes from freezing. Regularly remove yellowing leaves and spent flowers to keep the pond tidy and the lilies vibrant.
3. Can I use July birth flowers in wedding arrangements?
Yes, July birth flowers can be a beautiful addition to wedding arrangements. Larkspur brings height, elegance, and a touch of whimsy to bridal bouquets, while water lilies add a serene, romantic feel to pond-inspired centerpieces. Their natural summer bloom makes them ideal for seasonal weddings, enhancing garden, outdoor, or nature-themed ceremonies. For a tailored look, florists can suggest hybrid varieties and color options to perfectly match your wedding palette, ensuring your arrangements are both meaningful and stunning.
4. Are there toxic concerns with the birth flower of July?
Yes, there are some toxic concerns with July’s birth flowers. Both larkspur and water lily contain natural alkaloids that can be harmful if ingested, potentially causing nausea or skin irritation. To enjoy these blooms safely, it’s best to wear gloves while gardening and keep them out of reach of pets and children. While they are stunning and meaningful, their true beauty is best appreciated from a safe distance.
5. Why do some sources list delphinium instead of larkspur for July?
Some sources list delphinium instead of larkspur for July because the two flowers are closely related and often used interchangeably. Technically, larkspur usually refers to the annual Consolida species, while delphinium includes perennial varieties. Regional preferences and gardening traditions also influence which name is used. Both flowers carry similar meanings (like positivity, resilience, and beauty) so whether you choose larkspur or delphinium, you’re celebrating the same uplifting qualities for July birthdays.
5. Final thought
The July birth flower is more than just a pretty bloom, it embodies the full spirit of midsummer. With the uplifting larkspur symbolizing joy and resilience, and the serene water lily representing purity and renewal, these flowers offer meaningful ways to celebrate birthdays and personal milestones. Whether featured in a bouquet, a garden, or even a tattoo, the July birth flower connects us to nature’s timeless lessons of lightness, balance, and growth. Honoring someone born in this sun-soaked month with these blooms is a beautiful reminder of new beginnings and enduring beauty.