July Birth Flower: Larkspur and Water Lily Meaning, Symbolism and Facts
July is the heart of summer. Gardens are full, days are long, and birthdays often come with sunshine.
July has two birth flowers. The larkspur is the main one. The water lily is the second. Most July birthdays are Cancer. The last part of the month moves into Leo.
Quick Answer
The July birth flowers are larkspur and water lily. Larkspur means positivity, an open heart, strong love, and good luck. The water lily means purity, rebirth, and calm new beginnings. Together, they bring height, colour, and peace to a summer birthday.
Table of Contents
- Larkspur: The Primary July Birth Flower
- Water Lily: July’s Second Birth Flower
- Larkspur vs Water Lily
- Birth Flowers by Month
- How to Grow July Birth Flowers
- Gift Ideas for a July Birthday
- Frequently Asked Questions
Larkspur: The Primary July Birth Flower
Larkspur grows in tall spikes. Small blooms open along each stem, one above the other. The effect is soft, airy, and full of movement.
The flowers come in blue, purple, pink, and white. Blue is the classic colour, cool and fresh in hot weather. Purple feels rich, pink feels sweet, and white feels calm.
Larkspur is a close relative of delphinium, with the same tall stems and rich colour. Read about the wider plant group in the delphinium page on Wikipedia, or explore flowers that start with L.
Larkspur means an open heart. It also stands for cheerfulness, positivity, strong love, and good luck. That is why it is such a warm choice for a July birthday.
What Larkspur Colours Mean
- Blue: dignity and grace.
- Purple: first love and a sweet nature.
- Pink: modern lists link pink with affection. Very old lists could be less kind, so use it for close friends and family.
- White: a happy nature and a joyful heart.
An old Greek story says larkspur sprang from the blood of Ajax, a hero of the Trojan War. The tale is dark, but the flower became a sign of love and hope.
Larkspur is also loved as a cut flower. Its tall stems add height to a vase. A few simple habits help you make cut flowers last longer.
Larkspur Quick Facts
- Type: annual flower, grown fresh from seed each year.
- Bloom time: early to mid-summer.
- Height: tall spikes, often 1 to 3 feet or more.
- Best use: garden borders and tall bouquets.
- Safety: larkspur is toxic if eaten. Keep it away from pets and livestock.
Water Lily: July’s Second Birth Flower
The water lily grows in ponds and calm water. Its round leaves float on the surface. The flowers rise just above them and open in the sun.
This flower means purity, rebirth, and enlightenment. The bloom opens fresh in morning light and closes later in the day. Each day feels like a small new start.
Water lilies come in white, pink, yellow, and purple. White blooms look pure and still, pink feels joyful, and yellow looks bright on dark water. White blooms also sit well with other white flowers. You can also browse flowers that start with W.
Claude Monet painted water lilies again and again at his garden in Giverny, France. His soft scenes show why the flower feels so calm. It was also sacred in old Egyptian and Asian traditions.
A water lily is not the same as a lotus. They look close, but they are different plants. Lotus flowers rise higher above the water. Water lily blooms float low, close to the leaves.
Water Lily Quick Facts
- Type: aquatic perennial. It lives in water and returns each year.
- Bloom time: through summer, with flowers that open in the sun.
- Colours: white, pink, yellow, and purple.
- Leaves: round pads that float on the water.
- Best use: ponds, water gardens, and wide tubs of still water.
Larkspur vs Water Lily
Both flowers fit July, but they grow in opposite places. One reaches up. The other rests on water.
| Flower | Type | Where It Grows | Meaning | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larkspur | Annual | Garden soil in beds and borders | Positivity, open heart, strong love, good luck | Tall bouquets and summer borders |
| Water Lily | Aquatic perennial | Ponds and still water | Purity, rebirth, enlightenment | Ponds, water gardens, and calm gifts |
Birth Flowers by Month
Want the full year at a glance? Here is the birth flower chart for all twelve months.
| Month | Birth Flower(s) |
|---|---|
| January | Carnation & Snowdrop |
| February | Violet & Primrose |
| March | Daffodil & Jonquil |
| April | Daisy & Sweet Pea |
| May | Lily of the Valley & Hawthorn |
| June | Rose & Honeysuckle |
| July | Larkspur & Water Lily |
| August | Gladiolus & Poppy |
| September | Aster & Morning Glory |
| October | Marigold & Cosmos |
| November | Chrysanthemum & Peony |
| December | Narcissus & Holly |
For the full chart with every month in one place, see our birth flowers chart and guide.
How to Grow July Birth Flowers
Both July flowers like sun. After that, their needs differ. Larkspur grows in soil. Water lily grows in water.
Growing Larkspur
- Sow seeds in fall or early spring. The seeds like a cold spell before they sprout.
- Pick a sunny bed with well-drained soil.
- Water young plants while they settle in.
- Add a stake or support for tall stems, mainly in open, windy gardens.
Growing Water Lilies
- Use a pond or a wide water container with no fountain splash.
- Still water is best. Strong flow can harm the leaves and blooms.
- Plant the rhizome in a basket filled with aquatic soil.
- Set the basket in full sun, then lower it as the stems grow.
Home growers in r/gardening on Reddit share what works in hot, cool, and dry climates.
Gift Ideas for a July Birthday
A tall larkspur bouquet is the classic July gift. Blue and purple stems look rich, while pink and white keep the bunch light. Add a card that shares the meaning: an open heart, strong love, and good luck.
July’s birthstone is the ruby, a deep red gem. Pair pink or white larkspur with ruby-red ribbon or wrap. The mix looks warm and links the flower to the stone.
For a garden lover, give a water lily plant with a wide tub if they have no pond. Each summer bloom will remind them of the birthday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the July birth flower?
July has two birth flowers. Larkspur is the main one, and water lily is the second. Larkspur stands for love and an open heart. Water lily stands for purity and rebirth.
What does larkspur symbolise?
Larkspur symbolises positivity, cheerfulness, strong love, and good luck. Blue means dignity and grace, purple means first love, and white means a joyful heart.
Is a water lily the same as a lotus?
No. They look alike, but they are different plants. Water lily flowers float close to the water. Lotus flowers and leaves rise higher above it.
What is July’s birthstone?
July’s birthstone is the ruby. Its red colour pairs well with pink larkspur, a ruby-red ribbon, or a birthday card.
Are July birth flowers easy to grow?
Yes, if each plant gets the right home. Larkspur needs sun, drained soil, and support. Water lily needs still water, sun, and a basket of aquatic soil. For more views, see questions about the July birth flower on Quora.
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