August Birth Flower: Gladiolus & Poppy (Meaning + How to Grow Them)
Want to learn about the August birth flower? August is a beautiful time in the garden—full of color, warmth, and late-summer harvests. If you have an August birthday, you actually have two birth flowers: gladiolus and poppy. Each carries its own meaning, and both can be grown at home with a little care.
Gladiolus: Strength, Integrity & Remembrance
Gladiolus are tall, show stopper flowers that bloom on upright spikes. Their name comes from the Latin word gladius, meaning sword—perfectly describing their long, blade-like leaves.
Meaning
Gladiolus symbolize:
- Strength of character
- Integrity
- Remembrance
- Infatuation
They’re often used in bouquets to give the bouquet height and dimension.
Poppy: Peace & Imagination
Poppies are delicate, papery flowers that are almost translucent in the sunlight. They come in a range of colors—from soft pastels to bold reds—and add a whimsical feel to any garden. I also really love their seed pods after they bloom, and they make great interest in dried flower bouquets.
Meaning
Poppies symbolize:
- Peace and remembrance
- Imagination and creativity
They’re especially meaningful in memorial contexts but are also loved for their airy beauty.
Why You Should Grow August Birth Flower
Now that you know the flowers have you ever considered growing them? How fun would it be to have a garden full of the birth flowers of all your loved ones? Maybe your children, siblings, or loved ones that have moved on from this life. You can be in your garden and remember them, or maybe feel them with you. How healing for the soul, or just fun! Your front yard could depict your family without a family photo. Flowers have such a healing effect on the soul. My front yard is dedicated to flowers. Flowers I love and flowers that the people I love, love. Shasta daisies for my mother in law, lilacs for my grandma Mary, daffodils for my grandma Oda, hydrangeas for my mom, and peonies for me. Grow flowers that have meaning, and I think growing birth flowers is a great place to start.
How to Grow Gladiolus
Gladiolus are grown from corms (similar to bulbs) and are surprisingly easy to grow—even for beginners.
1. When to Plant
- Plant in spring, after the last frost (your last frost can be found with a simple google search)
- For continuous blooms, plant every 2 weeks until early summer
2. Where to Plant
- Choose a spot with full sun (6–8 hours daily)
- Well-draining soil is essential (they don’t like soggy roots)
3. How to Plant
- Plant corms 4–6 inches deep
- Space them 6–8 inches apart
- Point the pointed end upward
4. Watering & Care
- Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Stake taller varieties to prevent bending
- Fertilize lightly when shoots appear
5. Harvesting Blooms
- Cut when the lowest flowers start to open
- Leave some foliage so the corm can store energy for next year
How to Grow Poppies
Poppies are low-maintenance and thrive when left a little wild.
1. When to Plant
- Sow seeds in early spring or fall if you have mild winters
- They don’t transplant well, so direct sowing is best
2. Where to Plant
- Full sun is ideal
- Soil should be light and well-draining
3. How to Plant
- Scatter seeds on the surface—don’t cover them deeply
- Light helps them germinate
- Keep the soil damp for good germination
4. Watering & Care
- Water lightly until established
- Once growing, they are drought-tolerant
- Avoid overwatering
5. Let Them Self-Seed
- Allow some flowers to go to seed
- They’ll often return year after year on their own
August Birth Flower Gift Ideas
Are you a August Birthday or have a loved one with a August birthday? I have come up with a few fun, beautiful and cute ideas to make your August birthdays feel special.
- Gladiolus or poppy necklace or jewelry
- Embroider a gladiolus or poppy flower on an article of clothing or hat
- Sticker of a gladiolus or poppy
- Gladiolus or poppy bookmark
- Books about Poppies, one that I found is called Wake, Sleepy One: California Super Bloom
- Journal with gladiolus or poppy on it
- The actual plant or seeds
- Gladiolus or poppy coloring book
Final Thoughts
No matter what you do, enjoy this time of month. I have found focusing on what I love, flowers, and the relationships make this month special. Happy Birthday to all of the August birthdays. I hope you feel special this month because you are a flower.
As Always,
Grow flowers to heal the soul
Beth
