July Birth Flower: Larkspur & Water Lily Meaning, Care Tips, Tattoo Ideas and more

The month of July is accompanied by liveliness, and so are the people born in this month. But have you ever thought of what is July birth flower? Well, the traditional July birth flowers are Larkspur and Water Lilies. Each flower carries its own unique symbolism, meaning, and aura. 

To know more about the July flowers, read the article, where you’ll get to know about symbolism, growing conditions, care tips, and much more about larkspur and water lilies. 

What are the Two July Birth Flowers?

The two July birth flowers are larkspur and water Lily. They provide more variety and choices to an individual who is planning to make their loved ones’ day special. Both flowers are accompanied by their own significant meanings and historical significance. 

While larkspur has protective, bravery, and knightly virtues symbolically associated with it, the water Lily is the symbol of innocence, purity, enlightenment, spirituality, renewal, and rebirth. The two flowers together carry meanings that resonate with warm, sunny days and the abundance of life that the month of July offers. 

For a more elaborate meaning and symbolism, taxonomic overview, ideal growing conditions, and much more, let us further look at each flower individually. 

Why Are There Two July Birth Flowers?

Associating two birth flowers with a particular month is an age-old practice which helps people choose between the two available options. These available options not only makes its easier for people to choose a flower, but these flowers also resonate with the personality of people born in the month of July. Below is the comparison chart of two July birth flowers: larkspur and water lily-

Features	Larkspur	Water lily
Botanical family	Ranunculaceae	Nymphaeceae
Symbolism	Positivity, love, and dedication	Purity, innocence, and rebirth
Colours	Blue, pink, white, and purple	White, red, blue, yellow, and pink
Best features	Tall flower spikes	Floating blooms and pads
Garden type	Cottage garden	Water gardens and ponds
The message it sends	It is a joy and a pleasure to know you!	You have a radiant personality and can overcome any circumstance!
Availability	Easily available	Easily available

Read more: April Birth Flower Guide: Meaning, Symbolism, Daisy vs Sweet Pea, Best Gift Ideas & Much More

Larkspur: The First July Birth Month Flower

Delphinium or larkspur flowers are known for their beautiful blooms in various colours. The plant grows deeply lobed leaves and tall spikes of showy, spurred flowers. Larkspurs are native to Europe and have been cultivated since ancient times for their ornamental and medicinal properties. For more general information, here is the taxonomic overview and ideal growing conditions of the plant- 

Botanical name	Delphinium spp.
Kingdom	Plantae
Order	Ranunculales
Family	Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Genus	Delphinium (perennial larkspurs) and Consolida (annual larkspurs)
Hardiness	3 to 9 USDA zone
Light requirements	Bright, direct sunlight or light shade
Garden uses	Used as borders and in cottage gardens.
Plant type	Perennial and annual
Maintenance	Average
Flowers	The plant offers flowers in various colours like purple, blue, pink, white, and yellow.
Pollinators	The different shades of larkspur flowers help in attracting pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Bloom season	Summer and fall
Soil	Well-drained, moist, fertile, chalky, sandy, loamy soil with acidic, alkaline and neutral pH levels.
Water requirements	Average watering. It is important to keep the soil moist but well- drained throughout.   If you are planning to pot the flower, make sure to use a container with a drainage hole for proper air circulation and removal of excessive water.   Note- Make sure not to overwater the plant to avoid root rot. Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, as it will promote the proper growth of the plant.
Mature size	8 ft tall
Fertilizers	Larkspur prefers balanced, slow-release fertilisers to promote healthy growth and flowering.

Meaning and Symbolism of Larkspur

Larkspur is a traditional July birth flower, which holds its significance from ancient times. The flower is known as the symbol of positivity, loving bonds, dedication, and sincerity. It blooms in various colours, which hold a significant meaning. Here is the list of colours and their meanings:

Colour	Meaning
Blue	It represents grace and dignity.
White	White larkspur is known as the symbol of happiness and joy.
Purple	They are the sign of first love.
Pink	This colour symbolises fickleness or changeable emotions.
Yellow	This rare coloured larkspur symbolises positivity and cheerfulness.

In ancient Greece and Rome, larkspur was used as a remedy for ailments such as skin irritation, eye problems, and toothaches. The plant was also associated with protection from evil spirits. 

Further, in the Victorian era, larkspur became popular for its ornamental values and was also used in the language of flowers, when people developed the first known system of assigning flowers to specific months. 

Note: Historically, some cultures used larkspur in folk remedies, but the plant is toxic and should not be used medicinally without professional guidance.

Care Tips For Larkspur

Here are some of the care tips for better and smoother growth of the larkspur plant: 

1. The larkspur plant requires regular watering to thrive. It becomes more essential to water the plant during hot and dry weather. But overwatering can kill the plant as it causes the roots to rot and fungal disease.
2. Mulch around the plant base to maintain the soil temperature, retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Use organic mulch, such as compost or shredded leaves. 
3. Using balanced and slow-release fertiliser during early spring and midsummer becomes essential for good plant growth. At the same time, avoid using too much fertiliser, which can lead to more leaf growth and fewer blooms. 
4. Remove deadheadings from time to time. It promotes better and regular blooms and can prolong the blooming period. 
5. Pruning is one of the essential steps involved in the larkspur flower bloom. Cut back the plant to its base after it finishes flowering to prevent diseases and encourage new growth. 
6. In case you find pests like aphids, grey mould, leafminers, spider mites, slugs and snails, and powdery mildew, use organic pesticides like neem oil to keep your plant safe. 

Tattoo Ideas for Larkspur Flower

If you are planning to get a tattoo of the Larkspur flower that resonates with your personality, here are some of my personal suggestions.

Read more: Gladiolus Flower: Symbolism, Types, and Care Guide for the Vibrant Sword Lily

Water Lily: The Second July Flower of the Month

Water lilies are aquatic plants which are cultivated for their aesthetic values, serenity, and spiritual significance. The flower of water lily comes in two varieties: hardy and tropical. Tropical water lilies are larger and more spectacular, with two different blooming habits: day bloom and night bloom. On the other hand, hardy water lilies are day-blooming.

For more general information, here is the taxonomic overview and ideal growing conditions of the plant- 

Botanical name	Nymphaea
Kingdom	Plantae
Order	Nymphaeales
Family	Nymphaeaceae
Genus	Nymphaea
Hardiness	4 to 10 USDA zone
Light requirements	Bright, direct sunlight
Flower colour	Blue, yellow, purple, red, white, and pink
Growth habit	Water lilies grow from tuberous roots anchored in the soil at the bottom of the pond.
Maintenance	Low to medium
Bloom season	Late spring to early fall
Soil	Well-drained, rich, fertile soil with neutral pH levels.
Water requirements	Water lilies grow best in still or slow-moving water.
Mature size	3 to 6 ft. tall and 4 to 8 ft. wide.
Fertilizers	Water Lily plants can be fertilised once a month with tablets that you can press into the soil around the plant.

Meaning and Symbolism of Water Lily

Water lilies are the symbol of innocence, purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. The flower blooms in different colours, which hold significant meaning. Here is the list of colours and the meanings associated with them: 

Colour	Meaning
Pink	Joy and friendship
Red	Passion and romance
Blue	Calm and wisdom
Yellow	Energy and new beginnings
White	Purity and innocence

Water lilies have been admired for their aesthetic values for centuries. The flower in ancient Egypt held significant religious and spiritual importance. Further, in Chinese culture, the flower symbolised perseverance, enlightenment, and purity. 

Care Tips for this July Birthday Flower

Here are some of the care tips for better and continuous blooming of your Water Lily plant- 

1. Water lilies demand direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Therefore, it is important to place the plant at the location with maximum sunlight. 
2. Feed the plant once a month with a fertiliser tablet. Do not drop the tablet directly into the water, as it can harm the fish and disturb the pH level of the water. The best way to fertilise the water lily is by pressing the fertiliser tablet on the soil near the plant.  
3. Use aquatic potting soil for better bloom. 
4. While planting water lilies, make sure that you plant them no less than 4 inches and no more than 18 inches below the surface. 
5. The water temperature should be above 70 degree fahrenheit for the water lilies to bloom. 

Water Lily Flower Tattoo Ideas

Check out some amazing tattoo designs of Water Lily flowers, and bookmark them if you are planning to get them inked.

Did you know?

French Impressionist Claude Monet featured water lilies in his famous painting titled “Water Lily”. The painting is a series of approx 250 oil paintings and is still celebrated as one of the best paintings in the world.

Read more: Dahlia Flowers: How to Plant This Versatile Herbaceous Bloom?

What Do the July Birth Flowers Say About Your Personality?

Being born in July resembles the liveliness that nature holds during the month. People born in the month of July fill your life with joy and happiness. The two birth flowers for the month are larkspur and water lilies that symbolise love, happiness, charm, purity, innocence, and enlightenment. 

If you are planning to gift any of the two flowers or a bouquet made of the combination of two flowers, here are some of the bouquet inspirations for you:

Read more: June Birth Flower (Rose and Honeysuckle): Meaning, Symbol, Care Tips & More

Final Thoughts 

July birth flowers are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also add love, joy, happiness, and purity to your life. If you are someone who was born in this month or know someone born in this month, it is a sign to surprise them with the bouquet made of the two flowers. 

Your friends born in this month are cheerful and add happiness to your life. Now, it is your turn to surprise them with the thoughtful flower bouquet. 

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