July Birth Flowers: Why Larkspur and Water Lilies Have Special Meanings

As summer arrives it's the perfect time to get acquainted with the beautiful birth flowers of July! Each month has its own traditional gemstone and a customary birth flower for its season. The height of the warm season arrives to showcase an array of gorgeous blossoms and an abundance of flowers are in full bloom in the garden. The birth flowers of July make an impressive impression and include two selections—the larkspur and water lily. Both plants are easy on the eyes, have a pleasing aroma, and bright up any corner—indoors and out! Read on to learn more about both of these striking annual and perennial blossoms.

What are the Birth Flowers of July?

July has two birth flowers: The larkspur and the water lily. Every month has two birth flowers, a primary and secondary, to account for cultural differences and regional availability. Larkspur is considered the primary flower and the water lily is secondary for the month of July. Like zodiac signs, birth flowers have special meanings for people born during that month. Consider adding larkspurs and, if you have a pond or water feature, water lilies to your yard to be reminded of their significance.

The Larkspur

Larkspurs thrive during the summer and have delicate bell shaped blooms atop a spike-like stem with green leaves along the lower lobe segments. The showy plants attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees that love the nectar-rich flower. Traditionally, these delicate flowers represent love, positivity, youth, and beautiful spirits.

Larkspur Highlights

• Botanical Name: Delphinium
• Plant Family: Ranunculacea
  
• Common Names: Delphinium, Staggerweed, Bird’s Claw, Lark’s Heel, Lark’s Claw, Knight’s Spur, and Larkspur
• Type of Plant: perennial, annual (hardy varieties)
• Native Origin: Northern Hemisphere
• Sun Exposure: Full (six full hours)
• Preferred Soil Type/pH Range: moist and well-drained / slightly alkaline
• Fertilizing Periods: every spring before the growing season
• Blooming Periods: Spring and Summer
• Maturity Size: 1-7 feet tall (this varies by type)
• Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White
• Varieties: about 365 species that include Black Knight, Galahad, Guinevere, and King Arthur
• Hardiness Zones: 2-9 (USDA)
• Helpful Tidbits: Each part of the plant is toxic including its leaves and seeds. It's best to handle larkspurs with care keep the them away from pets and small children.

History and Symbolic Meaning of Larkspurs

Larkspur flowers appear in historical accounts related to Greek mythology (in the Battle of Troy), tales from Pawnee tribe of North America, and English folklore, which called for it to be sprinkled bathwater to protect against supernatural forces. Although Larkspurs are frequently associated with romance, different colors of the flower can convey a multitude of meanings.

Larkspur Garden Care Tips

Larkspur perform best in conditions with well-drained soil that's nutrient rich. Avoid planting them in overly dry or hot climates. They love high altitudes and cool climate with moderate humidity. Give larkspur a nutritional boost with rich compost, a healthy layer of mulch to protect the roots, and keep them evenly watered throughout the growing season. Be sure to plant them out of the reach of pets and children due to their toxicity.

The Water Lily

Water lilies are hardy aquatic plants that grow well during the late spring and summer. These large flowers display a showy cup-like blossoms atop a bed of waxy leaves that grow on long stalks under freshwater. Although they are toxic to small pets, the flowers are commonly consumed by fish and animals like deer and muskrat that eat the leaves and rhizomes and seeds are eaten by ducks.

Water Lily Highlights

• Botanical Name: Nymphaea
• Plant Family: Nymphaeceae
• Common Names: Pond Lily, Water Lily
• Type of Plant: Herbaceous, perennial
• Native Origin: North America, Asia, Australia
• Sun Exposure: Full (six full hours)
• Preferred Soil Type/pH Range: sandy and loamy / neutral
• Fertilizing Periods: monthly
• Maturity Size: 3-6 inches tall and 4-8 feet wide
• Flower Color: blue, purple, yellow, red, white, pink, orange
• Varieties: 60 species of freshwater flowering plants native to the temperate and tropical parts of the world
• Hardiness Zones: 4-10 (USDA)
• Helpful Tidbits: They are toxic and it's best to handle them with care to keep the them away from pets and small children. They are poisonous due to an abundance of an alkaloid called nupharin throughout the plant.

History and Symbolic Meaning of Water Lilies

Water lilies don't grow in typical potting soil alone, instead coming from tubers (rhizomes) that sprout up from the dark and muddy soil basins of aquatic bodies of water like lakes, ponds, and streams. Despite the unique growing condition, the flowers rise out of the muddy and waterlogged space to become one-of-a-kind beauty. Water lilies are closely associated with wisdom and enlightenment because of the extreme environment from which they grow. Different colors of the flower mean the following:

Water Lily Care Tips

Water lilies thrive in water filled areas with full sun. These perennial plants require little maintenance and survive for many years without a heavy hand. After the growing season, blooms die in the late fall or early winter, become dormant, and new buds sprout in the spring. It's best to fertilize monthly during the growing season and repot tropical water lilies in October or November as needed. Be sure to plant them out of the reach of pets and small children.

Janece Maze

Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.