Just like birthstones, birth flowers tell a story, capturing the essence of each month with beauty and meaning. From January’s crisp carnations to December’s wintry holly, these blossoms celebrate both the season and the spirit of those who are born in it. At Gainan’s Midtown Flowers in Billings, Montana, we love celebrating these floral traditions while also offering creative alternatives and pairings to make each birthday bouquet extra special. Whether you cherish the history behind a birth flower or just want something fresh and seasonal, we’ll help you craft the perfect arrangement with warmth and style.

January: Carnation & Snowdrop

Representing love, hope, and renewal, carnations and snowdrops are the perfect January flowers. Their beauty is echoed in anemones, whose delicate petals mirror the grace of snowdrops. Calla lilies, known for their sleek and refined silhouette, symbolize elegance, rebirth, and sophistication. For those drawn to full, luxurious blooms, peonies — much like carnations — embody romance, good fortune, and the joy of marriage, making them a timeless floral choice.

February: Violet & Iris

The flowers of February are rich in meaning, symbolizing devotion, wisdom, faith, and trust. Violets and irises both showcase deep purple colors and delicate, graceful petals. For a refined alternative, ranunculus in purple or burgundy brings an air of integrity and admiration. Hyacinths, particularly purple ones, carry messages of sincerity and the pursuit of forgiveness. To complement these blooms and introduce a symbol of loyalty, love, and friendship, the elegant alstroemeria makes a fitting choice.

March: Daffodil & Jonquil

March is a month of transformation, reflected in its signature spring blooms. Daffodils and jonquils are powerful symbols of anticipation, affection, renewal, optimism, and new beginnings. Tulips, another iconic spring flower, share this meaning while also representing deep, unconditional love. Easter lilies, with their striking, star-shaped petals and graceful anthers, offer another alternative rich in symbolism — standing for comfort, purity, hope, and spiritual renewal.

April: Daisy & Sweet Pea

A vibrant alternative to April’s traditional daisy, gerbera daisies stun with their bold colors and lively energy. Representing delight, cheerfulness, and beauty, they perfectly complement the daisy’s themes of innocence and hope. Sweet peas, known for their delicate, ruffled petals, are the secondary blossom of April. Their vivid spring hues match those of fresh tulips, and their symbolism — rooted in happiness and steadfast friendships — makes them a meaningful floral alternative.

May: Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn

Lily of the Valley, with its signature bell-shaped blossoms, has long been associated with joy, optimism, and feelings of warmth. Another tall spring bloomer, the pink hyacinth, carries a similar cheerful energy, symbolizing playfulness and happiness. The hawthorn flower, distinguished by its five delicate petals and cluster of stamens, holds meanings similar to orchids — particularly fertility. Much like peonies, hawthorns also represent wedded bliss, protection, love, and the welcome energy of new beginnings.

June: Rose & Honeysuckle

Celebrated for their timeless elegance, roses are often considered the most iconic flowers, universally symbolizing love and passion. When teamed up with honeysuckle, the birth flowers of June embody beauty, love, affection, passion, and life. Lilies, another beloved bloom, carry meanings of love, grace, and femininity. Alternatively, ranunculus, with its intricate, ruffled petal patterns, closely resembles a damask rose and symbolizes deep admiration and romance.

July: Larkspur & Water Lily

With its lush, towering stems and bold, spiky petals, larkspur is a perfect choice for July, representing strong loving bonds, lightheartedness, sincerity, pure fun, and joy. A comparable option is stock flower, another tall and colorful bloom that signifies profound love, commitment, and joy throughout life. The month’s second birth flower, the water lily, isn’t a true lily, but its floating beauty symbolizes wisdom, rebirth, and enlightenment. For a refined alternative, the calla lily shares this meaning of renewal and transformation.

August: Gladiolus & Poppy

The gladiolus, known for its towering elegance and vivid hues, represents strength, courage, perseverance, admiration, and resilience. Those looking for a comparable bloom can turn to snapdragons, which share both height and symbolic depth, representing desire, courage, and strength. On the more delicate side of things, poppies and anemones each have soft, fluttering petals that embody grace and romance. These two blooms carry meanings of purity, innocence, and deep, heartfelt love.

September: Aster & Morning Glory

Asters, the signature bloom of September, are rich in symbolism, representing valor, faith, love, and wisdom. Their daisy-like look brings a lighthearted elegance, much like traditional daisies and warm yellow sunflowers, which are known for symbolizing trust, loyalty, strength, optimism, and luck. Morning glories, flourishing on climbing vines, have a distinctive funnel shape and represent renewal and new opportunities. As a meaning-packed alternative, orchids check all of the boxes.

October: Marigold & Cosmo

The flowers of October remind us we’re linked to worlds beyond ourselves. Marigolds, known for their brilliant orange and gold hues, symbolize passion, wealth, happiness, and a link to the spiritual world. Dahlias, another striking fall bloom, represent positive change, inner strength, creativity, and growth. Cosmos, with their soft, star-shaped petals, bring a sense of balance and tranquility. Their appearance is reminiscent of asters and gerbera daisies, making them a perfect pick.

November: Chrysanthemum & Peony

Chrysanthemums, often hailed as the Queen of Fall Flowers, appear in many different (and equally lovely) forms. What they represent spans from good fortune and perfection to longevity, happiness, and friendship. Sharing the November birth flower spotlight, peonies embody abundance, prosperity, luck in marriage, and compassion. Seeking an alternative? Sunflowers bring happiness, peace, and optimism, while dahlias convey positivity, everlasting love, growth, and gracefulness. For a plush blossom reminiscent of the majestic peony, the ever-charming hydrangea is an excellent pick.

December: Holly, Narcissus

Holly, with its vibrant berries and lush green leaves, perfectly embodies the joy and renewal of December. This birth bloom is associated with good cheer, rebirth, positivity, and protection. Narcissus, an elegant blossom with a radiant center, radiates self-love, allure, hope, and renewal. To embrace the holiday spirit, poinsettias shine bright as symbols of Christmas, goodwill, hope, peace, and rebirth. And when it comes to flowers that express love and passion during the season, few compare to the timeless beauty of roses.

At Gainan’s Midtown Flowers, we know the right flowers can make a birthday unforgettable. Whether you choose a classic birth flower or a beautiful seasonal alternative, your thoughtful bouquet will bring joy and meaning to their special day.