By April, spring has arrived formally, and gardens are already (or soon will be) a riot of color from the first flowers to blossom. Sweet peas and daisies are the official April birth flowers.
Therefore, they hold particular significance for people born in April. Find out more about the meanings, histories, and symbols associated with the daisy and sweet pea, regardless of whether they are your “birth” flower!
What Flowers Honor The April Birth Month?
The sweet pea and the daisy are the flowers associated with April. The sweet pea means to say farewell, give well wishes, or thank you, while the daisy represents innocence, purity, and genuine love.
The Daisy
Daisy is an Old English word that means “day’s eye,” alluding to the English daisy’s routine of opening petals during the day and shutting them at night. Depending on the species, the daisy may be among your first spring bloomers or among the last to blossom in the fall.
In reality, the daisy consists of two blossoms. The disc floret, also known as the central eye, comprises many little florets, while the petals, or ray floret, extend from the center to resemble the Sun.
Daisy flowers have been associated with real love for a long time since they are composed of two blossoms that blend perfectly together.
Daisy members of the aster family (Asteraceae) were originally native to Europe and Africa and later became naturalized in North America. It’s one of the most prominent families of plants, with asters and sunflowers among its members.
Meanings And Symbols Of Daisies
For a long time, the daisy has stood for purity, innocence, and genuine love.
Every hue of the daisy stands for a distinct meaning. A white daisy symbolizes innocence and purity; a yellow daisy represents joy and companionship.
A pink daisy represents affection; and a crimson daisy represents love and passion.
An ancient Celtic folktale states that the gods would comfort the parents by covering the kid’s tomb with daisies when the child passed away.
The daisy is the sacred flower of Freyja, the goddess of fertility, beauty, and love in Norse mythology. The daisy then came to represent new beginnings, motherhood, and childbirth. A common gift for new mothers is a daisy.
According to a Roman legend, the daisy originated from the nymph Belides, who changed into a daisy to avoid the love of Vertumnus, the god of gardens and changing seasons. Daisy’s Latin name, Bellis, comes from the nymph’s name.
A daisy in a bouquet was formerly seen as a symbol of someone’s capacity for secrecy.
Over time, “daisy” has appeared in numerous expressions. “Whoops-a-daisy” or “oopsy daisy” is used to express regret for a mistake or misstep, while “fresh as a daisy” denotes that someone had a restful night’s sleep.
Because daisies stand for love, innocence, and fresh starts, they have been associated with the Virgin Mary.
A daisy is a flower that friends present to each other to symbolize maintaining secrets; it says, “I’ll never tell!”
The Historical Daisy
German botanist Paul Dietrich Giseke categorized the daisy family, commonly known by its scientific name, Compositae, in the late 1700s.
On the other hand, according to historical documents, daisies were cultivated in Egyptian gardens and used medicinally as early as 2,200 B.C.
There has long been a medical association with daisies. It’s reported that King Henry VIII ate daisies to help with stomach ulcers.
Daisies are also used to make teas to cure inflammation, bronchitis, and coughs. Wild daisies have also been administered topically to treat wounds and diseases.
In The Garden, Daisies
It’s usual to see daisies growing in lawns, meadows, and alongside highways, in addition to planted gardens.
Plant carefully, as certain species are known to be weeds. The most popular garden varieties are the Ox eye, Shasta, Gerbera, and English daisies.
The Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus, the sweet pea, is linked to beans and other legumes as it belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a close relative even if it is not a crop pea. Its similar appearance often leads to confusion with the eternal pea.
Unlike its edible garden pea siblings, sweet peas are toxic to people and animals even though they have been used for food and medicine in several parts of the world.
Sweet peas are native to Italy and the Mediterranean region. They are gorgeous, smell lovely, frequently reminiscent of oranges, honey, and jasmine, and can make any space seem cheerful.
Hundreds of variations have come in a broad spectrum of hues. Depending on the planting region, they bloom from spring to early summer.
Sweet Pea Symbolism And Meanings
A bouquet of sweet peas is a way to say farewell or thank you for a beautiful time in the language of flowers. It can also imply happiness, well wishes, generosity, thankfulness, and friendship.
They are referred to as the “Queen of the Annuals” by confident English gardeners.
The flower has traditionally been associated with good luck for brides in France, both on their wedding day and during their marriage.
It was once worn as a sign of strength or to disclose the truth. Sweet peas were also tucked inside pockets to infuse garments with scent.
The sweet pea was believed to have magical qualities in several cultures.
Historical Sweet Peas
The first sweet peas were discovered in southern Italy in the late 1600s by a Sicilian monk named Francis Cupani. Cupani is credited for starting the sweet pea’s European expansion by sending seeds to two prominent botanists in Amsterdam, Dr. Casper Commelin and Dr. Robert Uvedale, an English teacher and plant enthusiast.
Scottish nursery owner Henry Eckard started producing larger, more exquisite, and colorful sweet pea hybrids in the 1800s. The remainder is historical information.
Delightful Peas In The Yard
Sweet peas are annuals that do best in rich, organic soil that drains well and receives full Sun. They are climbers, reaching six to ten feet, depending on the species. Make sure you use a fence, arch, or trellis to provide them with adequate support.
Plant in late winter or early spring, when the soil is dry enough to work in, if you live somewhere that experiences frequent frosts.
Spring is when flowers bloom, and heat kills the plant. Before being transplanted outdoors, seeds can be started indoors.
In conclusion, the sweet pea and the daisy are both April’s birth flowers and have unique beauty and meaning.
These flowers offer a meaningful way to honor April birthdays and infuse our lives with a touch of natural beauty, regardless of whether you identify more with the daisy’s innocence and purity or the sweet pea’s delicate charm.