Introduction of April Birth Flowers

At the end of April, spring will be in full swing, and gardens are (or shortly) full of color thanks to the first blooming flowers. In April, sweet peas and daisies have a special significance for those born since they have been regarded as April’s birth flower. Whether they are the “birth” flower or not, find out more about the background and the significance, meanings, and symbolism of the sweet pea and daisy!

What Are the April Birth Flowers?

Flowers for April’s birth month are daisies and sweet peas. The daisy symbolizes innocence, purity, and genuine love. The sweet pea means to say goodbye, send good wishes, or convey thanks.

Primary April Birth Flower: Daisy

Originating in Old English, the daisy comes from “day’s eye,” referencing the everyday routines associated with the English daisy with its petals opening during the daytime and closing at the night’s end. Based on the kind of daisy, it could be among the first spring bloomers or one of the last ones to bloom in autumn.

The daisy is made out of two flowers. The central eye, also known as disc florets, comprises tiny florets. The Ray the floret (the petals) radiates outwards from the main, resembling the Sun since a daisy is composed of two flowers working perfectly together and has been for a long time the symbol of true love.

The species is native to Europe and Africa and, eventually, native to North America; daisies belong to the aster family (Asteraceae). It is among the most prominent plant families, which also comprises sunflowers and, obviously, asters.

Daisy Meanings and Symbolism

• The daisy symbolizes purity, innocence, and love for the real thing.
• Each color daisy signifies the different aspects of life. White daisies are an emblem of innocence and purity. Yellow symbolizes friendship and joy. The color pink represents love, and red symbolizes romance and love.
• According to an ancient Celtic legend in Celtic mythology, the gods would bury the child’s grave in flowers to cheer parents when a baby or child passed away.
• In Norse mythology, the daisy is a sacred flower of Freyja, the goddess of beauty, love, and fertility. Daisies, in turn, became a symbol of birth, motherhood, and new beginnings. Daisies are often a present to new mothers.
• Roman mythology attributes the birth of the daisy to the Nymph Belides, who transformed herself into a flower to escape the lust of Vertumnus, god of the seasons and gardens. The Latin term to describe Daisy, Bellis, is believed to be an ode to the nymph’s name.
• There was a time when People believed that a flower in an arrangement symbolized one’s ability to hold secrets.
• “Daisy” has been used in numerous phrases over the years. “Fresh as a daisy” indicates that someone enjoyed a restful night’s sleep; “oopsy daisy” or “whoops-a-daisy” is said after making a mistake or error.
• Daisies are often linked to the Virgin Mary because of the symbolism they portray of innocence, love, and a new beginning.
• The daisy flower given to friends highlights the secret nature of friendship. Daisies means, “I’ll never tell!”

Daisy in History

The daisy family, often referred to by its scientific title, Compositae, was classified by German botanist Paul Dietrich Giseke in the late 1800s. The oldest evidence of daisies dates to around 2200 B.C., when it is believed that they were cultivated within Egyptian gardens and were used to treat ailments.

Daisies have long been associated with medicinal use. Teas made of daisies are utilized to treat coughs, inflammation, and bronchitis; wild daisies are applied on the skin to treat wounds or illnesses. King Henry VIII has been claimed to have eaten daisies to aid in healing stomach ulcers.

Daisies in the Garden

Daisies grow in gardens cultivated in meadows, lawns, or along roadways. Certain species are considered weeds, and you should take care when planting. The most popular daisies in the garden are Ox eye, Shasta, Gerbera, and English.

You can plant daisies in the spring and grow indoors between 6 and 8 weeks before the last frost or outside following the ice. The seeds that grow from them will not flower until the following season.

Secondary April Birth Flower: Sweet Pea

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is part of the Fabaceae family and is closely related to beans and other legumes. Although it’s not cropped, it’s a close cousin. It’s often mistaken for the everlasting pea due to its resemblance to the everlasting pea. Although sweet pea is extensively used in certain parts around the globe for medical purposes and food, it’s classified as poisonous to animals and humans in contrast to its garden pea-like relatives.

They are native to Italy, and in the Mediterranean region, sweet peas aren’t just beautiful but also possess a lovely scent – often compared to honey, oranges, and jasmine. They can add a pop of color to any space.

Sweet Pea Meanings and Symbolism

• In the world of flowers, the arrangement of sweet peas can be an opportunity to say goodbye or to thank you for a great time. It could also signify joy, a good wish, gratitude, kindness, and friendship.
• A few English gardeners call them “the Queen of the Annuals.”
• In France, the flower is the traditional wedding gift and brings good luck on the day of her wedding and throughout the wedding.
• In the past, it was a symbol of power or to expose the truth. The sweet peas could also be stuffed in pockets to add scent to clothing.
• In certain societies, the sweet pea was believed to have magic properties.

Sweet Peas in History

The sweet pea was first discovered in southern Italy in the 1660s by Francis Cupani, a Sicilian monk. Cupani is believed to have sent seeds of the lovely pea plant to Dr. Casper Commelin, a botanist from Amsterdam, and Dr. Robert Uvedale, an educator and avid plant enthusiast in England who started its spread across Europe.

At the turn of 1800, Henry Eckard, a Scottish nursery owner, began developing sweet pea hybrids that were bigger, more attractive, and vibrant. And the rest was history!

Sweet Peas in the Garden

Sweet peas are an annual plant that requires an environment with full Sun as well-drained and deep organic soil. They can be climbed and range between 6 and 10 feet tall, depending on the kind of variety. Be sure to provide solid support using an arch, trellis, or fence.

In areas where frosts are frequent, plant the plants in late winter or early spring when it is sufficiently dry to work. The flowers bloom in spring, and the plant does not do well in hot temperatures. Seeds can be planted indoors before transplanting them outside.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, April’s birth flowers, the daisy, and sweet pea, bring forth a rich tapestry of symbolism and history. Daisies, with their associations of purity, innocence, and love, have deep roots in mythology and medicinal use. Sweet peas, on the other hand, convey sentiments of farewell, gratitude, and joy while gracing gardens with their vibrant colors and enchanting fragrances. These flowers not only celebrate those born in April but also hold a special place in the world of flora, each with unique significance. As spring bursts forth, daisies and sweet peas remind us of the beauty and meaning found in the natural world.

Read about: May Birth Flower, June Birth Flower,  July Birth Flower,  August Birth Flower,  September Birth Flower,  October Birth Flower,  November Birth Flower,  December Birth Flower,  January Birth Flower, Febrarury Birth Flower,  March Birth Flower