Just as birthstones shimmer with meaning, birth flowers bloom with symbolism, offering a floral connection to the month you were born. Each one tells a story of its season — daffodils herald spring’s renewal, snowdrops speak of winter’s chill, and chrysanthemums whisper of autumn’s transformations. At Shotwell Floral in Fargo, North Dakota, we’re exploring these meaningful blossoms and introducing beautiful alternatives, perfect for birthday bouquets that are both thoughtful and timeless. No matter the month, there’s a flower (or three) that speaks to your heart and captures the spirit of your special day.

January: Carnation & Snowdrop

January is all about fresh beginnings, lasting hope, and love, beautifully reflected in carnations and snowdrops. If you adore the delicate, wintry charm of snowdrops, anemones are a perfect match with their soft petals and bold centers. For a touch of refinement, calla lilies embody luxury, beauty, and renewal. And if you’re drawn to the full, lush appeal of carnations, peonies offer a stunning alternative, symbolizing love, prosperity, and a fairytale ending.

February: Violet & Iris

February’s birth blossoms, violets and irises, beautifully symbolize faith, wisdom, truth, and devotion. Their regal purple tones are mirrored in ranunculus, a bloom that represents integrity, respect, and appreciation. For an alternative with equally potent symbolism, purple hyacinths convey true sincerity and heartfelt apologies. To complete the bouquet, alstroemeria adds a delicate element, representing lasting friendship, devotion, and admiration.

March: Daffodil & Jonquil

Spring truly arrives when daffodils and jonquils burst into bloom, bringing a sense of renewal, affection, optimism, and fresh beginnings. Tulips share this uplifting energy, symbolizing unconditional love and the beauty of transformation. For an equally stunning swap, Easter lilies, with their graceful petals and striking anthers, add an air of purity, wholesomeness and hope, making them a perfect choice for the season of renewal.

April: Daisy & Sweet Pea

Innocent, delicate, and full of charm, the classic daisy evokes memories of childhood afternoons spent weaving flower crowns in sunlit fields. A vibrant alternative, the gerbera daisy, dazzles with its bold colors and large blooms, symbolizing joy, beauty, and optimism. Sweet peas, with their ruffled petals and graceful nature, represent pleasure and friendship — qualities they share with the ever-popular tulip. With their similar wide array of colors, tulips are a wonderful pick in any birthday bouquet.

May: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn

With their delicate, bell-shaped blooms and pleasing fragrance, Lily of the Valley exudes joy, sweetness, and positivity. Pink hyacinths, equally fragrant and graceful, stand tall as symbols of happiness and playful energy. Hawthorn flowers, resembling apple blossoms with their umbrella-like shape, share a deep connection to fertility — just like orchids. Hawthorn also carry meanings of lasting love, blissful marriages, and renewal, much like the timeless and elegant peony.

June: Rose & Honeysuckle

If one flower embodies love in its most timeless and celebrated form, it’s the rose — a true icon of romance. Yet, the fragrant and charming honeysuckle stands beside it this month, symbolizing joy, allure, devotion, and the irresistible pull of love and affection. For a graceful addition to June arrangements, lilies offer the traits of purity, innocence, and love. Alternatively, ranunculus, with its lush, rose-like layers, serves as another stunning tribute to love in all its majesty.

July: Larkspur & Water Lily

With its tall, graceful stems and abundant blooms, larkspur thrives in the warmth of summer, making it the perfect flower for July. Symbolizing positivity, beauty, youth, and the bonds that form among loved ones, larkspur embodies the free-spirited fun of the season. Stock flowers share a similar lush appearance and vibrant hues, carrying meanings of lasting affection and the happiness found in commitment. July’s next bloom, the water lily, floats serenely, representing enlightenment and the ever-turning cycle of life. For an elegant alternative, calla lilies also symbolize rebirth and renewal.

August: Gladiolus & Poppy

Majestic, commanding, and tall, gladiolus blooms hold their heads high as symbols of bravery, vigor, appreciation, tenacity, and determination. Looking for a flower with the same bold presence? Snapdragons are a perfect choice, with vibrant petals that signify valor, desire, and resilience. For a more delicate touch, anemones mirror the airy, windswept beauty of poppies. These gorgeous blossoms radiate purity, integrity, and the rare and cherished gift of true love.

September: Aster & Morning Glory

Asters take center stage this month, symbolizing bravery, trust, knowledge, and devotion. Their delicate, star-shaped petals bloom with the last warmth of summer, much like the bold and noble sunflower. Both flowers carry deep meanings of good fortune, resilience, truth, hope, and dedication. Morning glories, with their vivid colors and habit of opening early each day, bring a sense of renewal and optimism. A great alternative is the orchid, a flower rich in symbolism.

October: Marigold & Cosmo

With October ushering in the Halloween season, it’s no surprise that its flowers carry a deep, spiritual energy. Marigolds, with their golden warmth, represent zeal, prosperity, and joy — yet they also serve as a reminder that we are connected to something greater. Similarly, dahlias, with their intricate petals, symbolize transformation, inspiration, personal resilience, and advancement. Another bloom that bridges the earthly and ethereal is the cosmos, exuding peace, equilibrium, and serenity. Their look resembles those of gerbera daisies and asters, which add a comparable harmonious vibe.

November: Chrysanthemum & Peony

Few blossoms capture the spirit of autumn like the chrysanthemum. From delicate button mums to football mums, daisy mums, and spider mums, these fall favorites symbolize endurance, joy, amity, good luck, and flawlessness. Peonies, equally regal, bring warmth to November with plentitude, empathy, marital happiness, and wealth. For flowers that echo the autumn mood, sunflowers radiate tranquility, joy, and hope, while dahlias stand for gracefulness, everlasting love, growth, and positivity. And for peony lookalikes, bountiful hydrangeas are the perfect pick.

December: Holly, Narcissus

December is filled with excitement for the winter holidays, making holly a fitting symbol for the season. With its deep green leaves and striking red berries, it represents safety, renewal, good energy, and high spirits. Meanwhile, narcissus serves as a reminder of the potential for rebirth, beauty, optimism, and loving yourself. To fully embrace the holiday spirit, poinsettias are a super timeless choice, symbolizing tranquility, new beginnings, transformation, Christmas magic, and good intentions. And for those who want to express love in its purest form, roses always make a stunning statement.

Whether you choose a classic type of birth bloom or a seasonal alternative with the same energy, Shotwell Floral has the perfect blossoms to make their birthday truly special. A well-chosen bouquet speaks volumes, adding a heartfelt vibe to their celebration.