Gladiolus The August Birth Flower
Make your August birthday or special occasion unforgettable with the allure of the gladiolus. Beyond its stunning beauty, this August birth flower carries a wealth of cultural significance and intriguing stories. Here’s everything you need to know, from gladiolus flower meaning to growing tips!
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About Gladiolus
Gladiolus is a vibrant perennial in the Iridaceae family, related to freesia, iris, and crocus. There are roughly 300 species of gladioli, with the vast majority native to tropical Sub-Saharan Africa, as far as the tip of the continent in South Africa. Some varieties are also native in the warmer areas around the Mediterranean and southeast Asia.
These flowers were first introduced to northern Europe and England via the India spice route, when traders sailed around Africa and stopped in Cape Town at the southern tip of the continent to resupply. There, the distinctive flowers were quickly noticed.
As an interesting note, while gladioli are a summer bloom honored as the August birth flower, in the majority of their native range—below the equator—gladioli actually bloom during the early winter when tropical temperatures have eased somewhat.
These are perennial flowers that sprout from corms. While many people assume gladioli are blooming bulbs, corms are actually structurally different. Extensive hybridization began in the early 1800s and has created hundreds of color and size variations, ensuring there is a beautiful gladiolus perfect for everyone’s preferences. (Speaking of corms, did you know you can grow your own saffron—the world’s most expensive spice?)
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Gladioli are tall, upright plants with multiple flowers on their sturdy stems. Blooms open from the bottom first, revealing funnel-shaped flowers in a riot of colors from red, pink, and orange to white, cream, yellow, purple, peach, burgundy, and even multi-colored patterns with tinted edges.
While some gladiolus blooms are smooth-edged, most are ruffled for even more textural interest. The leaves of gladioli are sword-shaped with grooves, and in fact the flower’s name originates from the Latin gladius, or “little sword.” Sword lily and corm lily are other names for these flowers, or they may be referred to as just “glads.”
The gladiolus relies on birds, bees, wasps, and moths for pollination. In North American gardens, these flowers can be a beautiful way to attract hummingbirds with their long, needle-like bills that fit perfectly into gladioli’s nectar-rich flowers. These flowers do not have a strong scent, however, but some varieties have a subtle, fresh scent with just a light aroma.
Excellent as cut flowers that may last a week or longer in a vase if properly cared for, gladioli are popular in landscapes and cutting gardens, as well as for arm bouquets and gifts—and not only in August.
Gladiolus Flower meaning
While the gladiolus is well-known as the August birth month flower, it is also the official wedding flower of the fortieth wedding anniversary. The flower’s symbolism of strength, integrity, and perseverance is ideal to represent such long marriages, for it takes all three qualities to celebrate so many anniversaries together.
These flowers also have other symbolic meanings, including love, victory, healing, sincerity, morality, calmness, and admiration. Like many types of flowers that come in such a wide spectrum of colors, individual gladiolus colors can also have special meanings, such as:
- Red – love, passion, romance
- Yellow – happiness, joy, positivity, cheer, friendship
- Orange – enthusiasm, excitement, creativity
- White – purity, elegance
- Pink – gentleness, femininity, mother’s love
- Purple – grace, mystery
By choosing gladiolus flowers based on color, it is possible to create an entire bouquet or arrangement rich with meaning for that special someone.
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If that special someone happens to be born in August, they might also show some personality traits often associated with those born in the eighth month of the year: confidence, passion, creativity, determination, optimism, and generosity. The gladiolus with its bold, upright growth, vibrant colors, and abundant blooms also epitomizes many of these personality traits.
In addition to its association with August and the fortieth wedding anniversary, the gladiolus is also the official state flower of Punjab, India, where it is often used for festival and holiday decorations.
Legends and Lore About the Gladiolus Flower
While we know a lot about the natural origins of the gladiolus, these flowers also have a variety of legends associated with their origins. In Christian traditions, for example, the gladiolus represents the Resurrection, with the tall stem of the flower reminiscent of the Cross and the abundant blooms showcasing the regenerative nature of one’s faith.
Ancient Greek legends have a convoluted origin story for the gladiolus, associated with the goddess Demeter, the sister of Zeus who presides over agriculture, grain, and the harvest. A grove of oak trees considered sacred to Demeter was violated by the unbeliever Erisichton, who cut down trees for firewood. Demeter punished Erisichton with poor harvests and famine, and in turn, he planned to sell his daughter. The young girl escaped to the sacred grove, where Demeter transformed her into a gladiolus so she could be watchful for intruders.
Pluto, Greek god of the underworld, was also said to have worn a wreath of gladioli, while the Hindu god Vishnu is also associated with these flowers.
Cultural Connections With the Gladiolus Flower
It isn’t just through legends and mythology that the gladiolus has cultural connections, however. In ancient Rome, the flowers were worn by gladiators during their violent competitions with the belief that they would manifest the strength and skill of the warrior while invoking the protection of the gods. Furthermore, gladioli were used by Roman soldiers to celebrate military victories.
Because the gladiolus is popular in India, it is no surprise that the ancient Indian poet Kalidasa, considered one of the greatest Sanskrit poets in history, referenced the flowers in many of his works.
These bright blooms also appear in many floral artworks, including by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet, as well as on artistic stamps from a wide range of nations: the US, the former Soviet Union, Cuba, Malta, Moldova, Italy, Panama, Japan, Gambia, Albania, and many more.
In Asian culture, red gladioli are often favored decorations for Lunar New Year celebrations. Not only does the bold bloom represent power, abundance, and prosperity, but bold red hues are considered the luckiest colors in the culture.
The word “gladiolus” has special fame: In 1925, gladiolus was the winning word spelled by Frank Neuhauser to win the first National Spelling Bee—what is now the longest-running educational promotion in the United States.
Toxicity and Medicinal Uses
Because the gladiolus is so widespread through many cultures, it is not surprising that it has been used over the centuries for various medicinal purposes, including treating colic, sore throats, fevers, inflammation, cramps, ulcers, and fungal infections.
It should be noted, however, that most parts of the gladiolus plant are actually toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. While these plants are not poisonous to touch, anyone with skin sensitivities may want to consider wearing gloves while working with gladiolus. The sap in particular can cause irritation from cut blooms.
Ironically, the petals of gladiolus blooms are edible and have a mild flavor, similar to lettuce. The anthers of the blooms should be removed, and the petals can make a colorful accent to salads or may be sauteed for sauces and other dishes.
Note: The Farmers’ Almanac does not offer medical advice. Information shared in this article is intended for educational purposes only. If you do choose to forage or eat edible plants, we suggest working with an expert and never eating anything in nature without properly identifying it first.
Growing Gladiolus
Gladioli are considered relatively easy to grow and do well in flowerbeds, raised beds, or containers. In fact, if you’re concerned about digging dogs or curious children, putting these flowers in containers is a good way to safeguard against toxicity.
Well-drained, neutral or slightly acidic soil is best for gladioli, and they prefer at least 5-6 hours of full sun for the best growth. Without adequate sunlight, the stems may be floppy and the blooms smaller and less dramatic. Taller varieties may need staking or support regardless of sunlight level, particularly in windy areas.
Gladioli will bloom 60-90 days after planting, and staggering plantings every 10-14 days will ensure a continually colorful show through the late summer. Feeding the plants with a balanced fertilizer or compost applications will ensure good nourishment, and an inch of water per week is required.
In the fall, lifting the corms and storing them in a cool, dry place until after the last frost passes in spring will help prolong their lifespan, but take care not to dig up corms until the leaves have been allowed to wilt naturally after blooming ends.
Thrips are the most common problem afflicting gladioli, but they can also be susceptible to aphids and spider mites. Pests could be blasted off with a hose, or applications of insecticidal soap or neem oil are effective at keeping the plants healthy.
Make your gladiolus flower arrangement last longer with these three steps:
- Choose stems where only one or two blooms are starting to open.
- Remove any flowers and leaves at the bottom (which would be submerged in water) to avoid rot, cutting stems at a 45 degree angle, and place them in luke warm water.
- Replace water every 2-3 days. When you do so, trim the stems 1-2 inches, which will refresh the flower’s ability to uptake water.
If you follow these steps, your gladiolus bouquet should last one week or longer.
Do you have any tips or tricks for gladioli? Share in the comments!
Another August Birth Month Flower – The Poppy
While the gladiolus is well worth the honor of representing August, a popular alternative August birth month flower is the poppy, of the family Papaveraceae, from the Latin pappa for “milk” in reference to the white, sticky sap of a cut bloom.
Poppies are herbaceous plants that natively flourish in Europa, Asia, Africa, and North America, and are related to bleeding hearts. There are both annual and perennial varieties of poppies, and they can spread quickly to fill in a flowerbed or naturalize in a landscape.
Poppies are symbolic of prosperity, enchantment, and sympathy, and red poppies in particular have become associated with memorials and remembrance. This is largely due to Canadian poet Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Field” that describes the vibrant blooms of poppies emerging in the fields of northern France and Belgium after World War I, when 87,000 Allied soldiers had died in the region.
In ancient legends, the poppy is also associated with Demeter and agriculture. While the legend is not as detailed as the origin of the gladiolus, it was believed that if a field had poppies growing, the next crop planted in that field would have an abundant harvest thanks to Demeter’s favor.
One of the poppy’s most well-known associations today is not with agriculture, but with opium and opiate drugs. The seeds of some poppy species can be made into heroin, codeine, and morphine. That drug association was even memorialized in L. Frank Baum’s classic work, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and the associated movie (1939), when a field of poppies was used to put Dorothy and her friends into an enchanted sleep.
Today, the California poppy is the official state flower of the Golden State, and is a common site blooming along roadsides and in fields. Each year, California celebrates April 6 as California Poppy Day. Learn more about the poppy in our article here.
Both the gladiolus and the poppy are stunning flowers and beautiful options as the August birth month flower. Which is your favorite, and how will you celebrate it every summer?
Share your photos, thoughts, and questions in the comments below!
Melissa Mayntz
Melissa Mayntz is a writer who specializes in birds and birding, though her work spans a wide range—from folklore to healthy living. Her first book, Migration: Exploring the Remarkable Journeys of Birds was published in 2020. Mayntz also writes for National Wildlife Magazine and The Spruce. Find her at MelissaMayntz.com.
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- Melissa Mayntz#molongui-disabled-link
- Melissa Mayntz#molongui-disabled-link
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