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Birth flowers

August birth flower: the gladiolus and the poppy

By the Merrylet teamUpdated

August has two birth flowers: the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus, named after the Latin word for sword, stands for strength of character and integrity. The poppy stands for imagination and, in its red form, remembrance.

Plate VIIIAugustGladiolus, the August birth flower: a painted tall spike of coral-pink flowersPoppy, the second August birth flower: a painted red poppy and a bud
GladiolusPapaver rhoeas

Two flowers for August

Gladiolus

Gladiolus

Strength of character and integrity

Colors
Coral, pink, red, white, yellow
In flower
Mid to late summer
Feels like
Tall, bold, proud

Poppy

Papaver rhoeas

Imagination, and in red, remembrance

Colors
Red, orange, pink, white
In flower
Early to late summer
Feels like
Bright, papery, fleeting
August birthstonesPeridot, spinel and sardonyx
ZodiacLeo, then Virgo from August 23

What does the gladiolus mean?

The gladiolus means strength of character, integrity and honor. It stands tall and straight, opening its flowers one by one from the bottom of the spike up.

Its name is Latin for “little sword”, after its long, pointed leaves. The same word gave us gladiator.

Little sword

Gladiolus, from the Latin gladius, sword, after the shape of its leaves. Gladiators got their name from the same word.

What does the poppy mean?

The poppy means imagination and dreams. Its flowers look like crumpled silk and last only a day or two, which has made it a flower of fleeting beauty.

Since the First World War, the red field poppy has also been worn for remembrance in the UK and many other countries, after the poppies that grew on the battlefields.

One dayHow long a single field poppy flower usually lasts before its petals fall. A plant keeps making new ones all summer.

Gladiolus or poppy: which is the August birth flower?

Both. The gladiolus is the one most lists give first; the poppy is the traditional second flower.

GladiolusPoppy
SaysYou are strong and trueDream big
Best forSomeone you admireA creative friend, a dreamer

In the UK and Canada the red poppy is a flower of remembrance. For a birthday there, the gladiolus is the happier pick.

Give them their flowers

A birthday card for a late summer birthday

The Lemon Grove birthday card

The Lemon Grove birthday card plays on their phone: the sun sets over a terrace above the sea, and one lemon keeps its last ray, glowing like a candle on the birthday cake. Add their name and a few words to the card, send it by text, and they just tap the link.

Something to write inside
  • A gladiolus for you: tall, bold and true, like you.
  • Born in August, in the golden end of summer. Happy birthday.
  • Here’s to another year of big dreams.
See the card play, then sendAll birthday cards

Watch the card before you write a word. Your first greeting card is free.

August birth flower questions

What is the August birth flower?
August has two birth flowers: the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus stands for strength of character and integrity. The poppy stands for imagination and, in its red form, remembrance.
Why is the gladiolus called the sword lily?
Its name comes from the Latin gladius, sword, because of its long, pointed leaves. In English it is sometimes called the sword lily.
Is the poppy a sad birth flower?
Not in itself: it stands for imagination and dreams. The red poppy is also worn for remembrance in the UK, Canada and other countries, so for a birthday there you might lead with the gladiolus.
Are poppies poisonous?
Field poppies are mildly toxic to people and pets if eaten, so keep them out of reach. The seeds sold for baking are safe.
What is the August birthstone?
August has three: peridot, spinel and sardonyx. People born in August are Leo until August 22 and Virgo from August 23.

August’s birthstones: peridot, spinel and sardonyx, what they mean and their colors.

Birth flowers for every month

← July: larkspur and water lilySeptember: aster and morning glory →

All birth flowers, month by month

Sources