Did you know that each month of the year has its own specific flower, or oftentimes more than one? Follow along as we do a series on these ‘birth month flowers’ and you’ll be sure to learn something new and exciting! In February, the traditional birth flowers are violets, primroses, and irises.
Naturally, a lot of people associate February with roses. But while roses make a great gift, especially for Valentine’s Day (hint, hint)… in this blog post, we’re going to discuss violets, primroses, and irises—and talk about exactly what makes them special as perfect gift options in the second month of the year.
Violets are small, delicate flowers that range in color from deep purples to light lavenders (hence, their name). The center is generally yellow, and they tend to have a mild, sweet fragrance.
Primroses are small, brightly colored flowers that grow in brilliant shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white, and they generally boast bright yellow centers. Their fragrance is sweet and mild, and they usually bloom in the early spring.
Irises are very distinctive. They’re tall and elegant, with 3 large petals arranged in a ‘fan-like’ shape, with 3 smaller petals underneath. They can grow and bloom in a wide range of colors, including yellow, pink, purple, blue, and white. They also often sport intricate markings on the petals—and the center of the iris is adorned with a tube-like structure that’s famously called ‘the beard.’
What Do Violets, Primroses, And Irises Mean?
Violets are perhaps most known for being flowers associated with ideals like modesty and humility. However, they’re also associated with ideals like honesty, protection, dreams, healing, remembrance, and determination.
Primroses are generally one of the first flowers to bloom each spring. Therefore, they’re often associated with ideals like youth, renewal, and optimism.
Irises have a longstanding association with nobility. As such, they’re generally associated with ideals like hope, wisdom, trust, and valor. The flower can also symbolize strength and brightness, depending on the context.
The History Of The Violet, Primrose, And Iris Flowers
The history of the Violet flower dates back to ancient Greece—about 500 B.C. The Greeks and Romans believed that it was a useful herbal remedy for different illnesses and diseases. Violets were also used to create wine and sweeten dishes.
Originally, the Violet was native to the Northern Hemisphere, as well as to some parts of Australia, the Andes, Hawaii, and South America.
The history of the Primrose goes way back in history, and is steeped in legends, myths, and lore. For example—according to one Scottish legend, if you want to see a fairy, you need to eat a primrose. According to another legend, you can leave these beautiful little flowers on your doorstep if you want fairies to visit you and bless your house.
The history of the Iris dates all the way back to ancient Greece. These little flowers were believed to symbolize the Greek Goddess Iris, and were planted on the graves of fallen women to summon the Goddess to guide them on their journey to the afterlife.
Why Violets, Primroses, And Irises Make Perfect Gifts
As you can tell from the history, lore, and meanings associated with these flowers, they make amazing gifts for people celebrating a special occasion in the month of February because they have a strong association with the month, and because they carry a lot of symbolism that makes them unique, interesting, and thoughtful as gifts.
Whether you give them as gifts in a bouquet or deliver them as potted plants—all three of these flowers make perfect gifts for the month of February.
Tips For Keeping Your Violets, Primroses, And Irises Fresh After Cutting
For violets, try to cut them in the morning or the evening, when the weather is cooler and they’re less stressed. Use sharp, clean scissors or sheers, place them in a vase of clean water, and add some floral preservatives to the water to extend their lifespan.
For Primroses, select blooms that have just started to open. Avoid cutting flowers that are already wilted, as they won’t tend to last very long. Remove any leaves that’ll sit below the waterline, put them in fresh water (with floral preservatives added for nutrients), and change the water once every couple of days.
For Irises, choose flowers that are not fully open yet. Put them in clean water, with a bit of floral preservative added. Change the water every two days, and mist them daily with cool water to help keep them hydrated and fresh.
Conclusion
There you have it!
Now you know the perfect options for flowers to give as gifts in the month of February.
If you don’t have access to your own fresh flowers, we are here for you! Don’t hesitate to call or stop by.
We’d love to help you find the perfect floral gift option for your friend, loved one, or family member.