Birth month flowers can be the inspiration for gifts, cards, embellishments and wrapping

Birth month flowers are the botanical equivalent of birthstones. You know we like to offer a little history and background for things like this, but sadly we can't find anything about the origins of birth month flowers that sounds very reliable. Research shows that flowers figure heavily in Greek and Roman mythology, with virtuous women often getting transformed into lilies and self-absorbed men into narcissus. Romans, particularly, liked celebrating with flowers, and various occasions required gifts of appropriately symbolic flowers. Nero is known to have filled a banquet hall with rose petals, to impress (or smother) his guests.

But, the exact origins of the modern list of flowers has eluded us so far. That shouldn't stop you from using this list when thinking about a homemade birthday gift or card.

Every calendar month and every sign of the zodiac has its patron flower. With that as a beautiful starting point, your creativity can soar. Start with your flower in any form; silk or other artificial flowers; pressed flowers; photos or illustrations; rubber stamps; even flower seeds. You might try hand-drawing for a very personal touch. You can also research and write a poetic reflection on the qualities of the flower or be prosaic and give instructions for growing them. The colors of the flowers can set the palette for your card or craft.

Birth Month Flowers

According to tradition, each month's flower represents the qualities of a person born during that month (often completely contradicting its birthstone). Crafting, card-making or scrapbooking with these birthday flowers has an added benefit: they are often in full bloom during the celebration, so you can accompany your card or craft with a live bouquet!

BIRTH MONTH FLOWERS
January	Carnation, Snowdrop
February	Violet, Primrose
March	Daffodil
April	Daisy, Sweet pea
May	Lily of the Valley, Hawthorne
June	Rose
July	Larkspur
August	Poppy, Gladiolus
September	Aster, Morning Glory
October	Calendula
November	Chrysanthemum
December	Holly, Narcissus

Zodiac Birthday Flowers

If you are more inclined toward the celestial, you can choose the traditional flowers of the zodiac or astrological horoscope. These tend toward the more uncultivated field or wild flowers. As with Zodiac birthstones, let the stars and your creativity lead you on how to use them.

HOROSCOPE or ZODIAC FLOWERS
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)	Ivy, Pansy, Amaranthus
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)	Hydrangea, Orchid
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)	Orchid, Water Lily
Aries (March 21 - April 19)	Honeysuckle, Thistle
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)	Rose, Poppy Foxglove
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)	Honeysuckle, Jasmine
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)	Geranium, Water Lily
Leo (July 23 - August 22)	Sunflower, Marigold
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)	Buttercup, Forget-Me-Not
Libra (September 23 - October 22)	Rose
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)	Geranium, Honeysuckle
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)	Dandelion, Begonia