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What each month's flowers mean, and how to grow them.
Carnation & Snowdrop · love, devotion, hope
Dianthus caryophyllus
Carnations have been grown for more than 2,000 years. Their ruffled, clove-scented blooms last for weeks in a vase, and in the language of flowers pink carnations stand for gratitude and a mother's love.
Growing it: Perennial in zones 6–9, grown as an annual elsewhere. Full sun and well-drained soil; flowers late spring into summer.
Galanthus nivalis
Among the first flowers of the year, snowdrops push up through cold ground in late winter, sometimes through snow, with nodding white bells tipped in green. They have long stood for hope.
Growing it: Bulb, zones 3–7. Plant in fall under deciduous trees in part shade; clumps spread slowly over the years.
Violet, Primrose & Iris · faithfulness, wisdom
Viola odorata
Sweet violets are small woodland plants with heart-shaped leaves and deep purple, sweetly scented flowers in early spring. The Victorians gave them as a sign of faithfulness.
Growing it: Perennial, zones 4–9. Part shade and moist soil; spreads gently into a groundcover.
Primula vulgaris
The name comes from the Latin prima rosa, 'first rose', for flowering so early in the year. Wild primroses are pale yellow; garden primulas come in nearly every color.
Growing it: Perennial, zones 4–8. Cool, moist, partly shaded spots; flowers late winter into spring.
Iris
Named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, iris come in almost every color. Three upright petals and three falling ones give the flower its shape, and the fleur-de-lis is a stylized iris.
Growing it: Perennial from rhizomes or bulbs, most hardy in zones 3–9. Full sun; set bearded iris rhizomes with their tops at the soil surface.
Daffodil & Jonquil · rebirth, new beginnings, prosperity
Narcissus
Daffodils are the classic flower of spring: a trumpet set against six petals, usually yellow or white. They stand for rebirth and new beginnings, and deer and rabbits leave them alone.
Growing it: Bulb, zones 3–8. Plant in fall about 6 inches deep in sun; they come back for years.
Narcissus jonquilla
Jonquils are a group of daffodils with several small, very fragrant flowers on each stem and slim, rush-like leaves. They handle heat well, which makes them a favorite in southern gardens.
Growing it: Bulb, zones 4–9. Plant in fall in sun; one of the best narcissus for warm climates.
Daisy & Sweet Pea · innocence, loyalty, purity
Leucanthemum and Bellis
The name comes from 'day's eye', because the flower opens at dawn and closes at dusk. White petals around a sunny center made the daisy a symbol of innocence and loyal love.
Growing it: Shasta daisies are perennial in zones 5–9. Full sun and well-drained soil; deadhead for flowers all summer.
Lathyrus odoratus
Sweet peas are climbing annuals grown for their ruffled, intensely fragrant flowers in pastels and jewel tones. The more you cut them, the more they bloom. Unlike garden peas, the seeds aren't edible.
Growing it: Annual. Sow in cool weather (fall in warm zones, early spring in cold ones) along a trellis in full sun.
Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn · humility, sweetness, hope
Convallaria majalis
Tiny white bells hang along arching stems in late spring, with one of the sweetest scents in the garden. A traditional wedding flower, it stands for sweetness and the return of happiness. Every part of the plant is poisonous.
Growing it: Perennial, zones 3–8. Shade to part shade and moist soil; spreads into a groundcover.
Crataegus
Hawthorns are small, tough trees covered in white or pink blossom in May, the 'mayflower' of old English hedgerows, followed by red berries that birds love. It has long been a symbol of hope.
Growing it: Small tree, about zones 4–8 depending on the species. Full sun and almost any soil; drought tolerant once settled.
Shop hawthornRose & Honeysuckle · beauty, romance, love
Rosa
The world's best-loved flower, grown for thousands of years for its beauty and fragrance. Red roses stand for love, pink for gratitude, white for new beginnings and yellow for friendship.
Growing it: Shrubs and climbers, most hardy in zones 5–9. At least six hours of sun, rich soil and steady water; plant bareroot roses in late winter.
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Lonicera
Honeysuckle vines carry tubular flowers full of nectar, a favorite of hummingbirds, and have long been a symbol of devoted love. In the US, choose native coral honeysuckle over invasive Japanese honeysuckle.
Growing it: Vine, zones 4–9. Sun to part shade; give it a fence, arbor or trellis to climb.
Shop honeysuckleLarkspur & Water Lily · positivity, dignity, grace
Consolida
Larkspur sends up tall spikes of blue, purple, pink or white flowers in early summer. It's the annual cousin of delphinium and stands for an open heart. Every part of the plant is toxic.
Growing it: Annual. Sow in fall in warm zones or very early spring elsewhere, in full sun; it reseeds itself.
Nymphaea
Water lilies float on still water, opening each morning and closing in the afternoon. Many cultures see them as a symbol of purity and rebirth.
Growing it: Aquatic perennial. Hardy kinds grow in zones 3–11 in a pond that gets at least six hours of sun.
Gladiolus & Poppy · strength, integrity, imagination
Gladiolus
Named from the Latin gladius, 'sword', for its blade-shaped leaves, gladiolus carries tall spikes of flowers that open from the bottom up. It stands for strength and integrity.
Growing it: Corm, hardy in zones 7–10; lift and store it in colder zones. Plant every two weeks in spring for flowers all summer.
Papaver
Poppies have papery, cup-shaped petals in red, orange, pink and white. The red field poppy is worn for remembrance; elsewhere poppies stand for imagination and dreams.
Growing it: Sow annual poppies in fall or early spring in full sun. Oriental poppies are perennial in zones 3–7.
Aster & Morning Glory · wisdom, affection, love
Aster and Symphyotrichum
Named from the Greek word for star, asters bloom in late summer and fall as much of the garden fades, an important late food for bees and butterflies. They stand for wisdom and love.
Growing it: Perennial, zones 3–8. Full sun; cut back by a third in early summer for bushier plants.
Ipomoea
Morning glories open fresh trumpet flowers every morning and close them by afternoon, climbing fast up fences and trellises. They stand for affection. The seeds are toxic.
Growing it: Annual vine. Sow after your last frost in full sun; it reseeds freely.
Marigold & Cosmos · warmth, harmony, passion
Tagetes
Bright orange and gold, marigolds are central to Día de los Muertos, when their color and scent are said to guide spirits home, and they're strung into garlands for weddings and festivals in India. In the garden they're tough and cheerful and bloom until frost.
Growing it: Annual. Full sun and any well-drained soil; easy from seed after the last frost.
Cosmos
Cosmos have airy, daisy-like flowers in pink, white, magenta and orange on tall, feathery stems. The name comes from the Greek kosmos, meaning order and harmony. They bloom from summer until frost and bring in butterflies.
Growing it: Annual. Full sun and poor to average soil (rich soil means more leaves, fewer flowers); reseeds itself.
Chrysanthemum · friendship, joy, longevity
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are the flower of fall, from tight pompons to spidery blooms. In Japan the chrysanthemum is the imperial emblem; in much of the world it stands for friendship, joy and long life.
Growing it: Garden mums are perennial in zones 5–9. Full sun; plant in spring so the roots settle before winter.
Narcissus & Holly · good fortune, protection, peace
Narcissus papyraceus
December's narcissus is usually the paperwhite: clusters of fragrant white flowers that are easy to bring into bloom indoors in winter. It stands for good wishes and good fortune.
Growing it: Bulb, hardy outdoors in zones 8–10. Indoors, set bulbs on pebbles with water to their base; they flower in about 4–6 weeks.
Ilex
Bright red berries on bare or evergreen branches made holly a winter symbol of protection and good fortune long before Christmas. Only female plants carry berries, and they need a male plant nearby.
Growing it: Shrub or tree, many hardy in zones 3–9. Sun to part shade; plant one male for every few females.
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