September Birth Month Flowers: Asters and Morning Glories Unveiled
As the calendar turns to September, it’s time to celebrate the arrival of autumn and the enchanting beauty of your unique birth flowers. September is a month that offers not just one, but two stunning birth flowers: the Aster and the Morning Glory. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the symbolism, characteristics, and historical significance of these floral wonders, allowing you to embrace the essence of September and discover the profound meanings they carry.
Embracing the Dual Beauty of September
Why Are There Two Birth Flowers in September?
You might be wondering why September boasts two birth flowers instead of just one. This tradition of assigning specific flowers to each month dates back to ancient times when various cultures had their own lists of flowers associated with different months. Over the centuries, these lists merged and evolved, resulting in the contemporary practice of having multiple birth flowers for each month.
For September, the two birth flowers are the Aster and the Morning Glory. This dual symbolism allows individuals to choose the flower that resonates most with them, based on personal preferences, appearances, or meanings. Moreover, it provides florists and gift-givers with a broader selection when celebrating birthdays or other special occasions tied to the birth month. In certain regions or seasons, one of these flowers might be more readily available or have a longer blooming period, making it a practical choice.
In essence, having two birth flowers enriches the tradition, offering greater flexibility, personalization, and variety for those who appreciate the symbolic significance of these blooms.
September’s Primary Birth Flower: Aster
Aster’s Alluring Attributes
Asters belong to the Asteraceae family, which encompasses daisies and sunflowers among its diverse members. These captivating flowers feature a central disk surrounded by delicate, star-like petals, creating a mesmerizing appearance. The Asteraceae family, known for its vastness, boasts over 23,000 species, with Asters being one of its most cherished representatives.
Asters are perennial plants with an upright, bushy growth habit, varying in height from 1 to 6 feet and width from 1 to 3 feet, depending on the specific variety. Their lance-shaped to linear leaves are typically arranged alternately along the stem, adding to their visual appeal.
The flowers of Asters are a spectacle to behold. They produce an abundance of daisy-like blooms featuring a central yellow disk and an array of slender petals in colors ranging from white, pink, and purple to red and blue. These flowers grace gardens with their radiant hues, particularly when other plants have completed their blooming cycle.
Hardy and versatile, most Asters thrive in USDA zones 4-8, depending on their variety. They prefer full sun to light shade and well-draining soil, making them suitable for a wide range of garden settings. Asters find popularity in mixed borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and as a source of nectar for pollinators like butterflies and bees.
Asters: History, Meaning, and More
Unveiling the Rich Legacy of Asters
Asters have a captivating history that stretches back to ancient civilizations. These blooms were cherished for their exceptional beauty and remarkable medicinal properties. The very name “aster” derives from the Greek word for “star,” a tribute to their star-like appearance.
In ancient Greek mythology, it was believed that Asters originated from the tears of Astraea, the goddess who wept over Earth’s corruption. These flowers were not just admired for their aesthetics, but also embraced for their role in traditional medicine across various cultures. Different Aster species were used to treat ailments such as coughs, colds, and digestive issues.
The symbolism of Asters is equally profound, representing love, wisdom, faith, and patience. They are often associated with the enchantment of the stars, and their various colors carry specific meanings. For example, red symbolizes devotion, white embodies purity, and purple signifies spirituality.
Asters’ significance transcends time, having graced altars in ancient Rome and communicated feelings of love and admiration in the Victorian “language of flowers.” Today, Asters continue to captivate hearts with their beauty and meaningful symbolism, adorning gardens and floral arrangements alike.
Why Asters Are Selected
Asters have been selected and cultivated not only for their star-like allure but also for their ability to infuse late summer and early fall gardens with vibrant colors. Their rich symbolic meanings and appealing appearance make them a favored choice for both garden enthusiasts and floral designers.
Fun Fact: Asters have a history in traditional medicine, offering remedies for various health concerns, including coughs, colds, and digestive discomforts.
September’s Secondary Birth Flower: Morning Glory
The Fascinating World of Morning Glories
Morning glories belong to the Convolvulaceae family and are renowned for their trumpet-shaped flowers, which come in a stunning array of colors, including blue, purple, pink, red, and white. These fast-growing vines, classified as either annual or perennial, can reach impressive lengths of 6 to 10 feet or more, depending on the variety. Their twining stems allow them to climb and cover fences, trellises, and other vertical supports, creating a breathtaking display.
The morning glory’s distinctive flowers feature a tubular structure, typically measuring 2 to 4 inches across, and they bloom in a variety of colors, often adorned with a contrasting throat. Morning glories are known for their diurnal blooming pattern, with flowers opening in the morning and gracefully closing by the afternoon, hence their name.
Most morning glories are cultivated as annuals, but certain species thrive as perennials in warmer climates within USDA zones 9-11. These charming vines prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil, making them suitable for a range of garden environments. They are particularly popular for covering fences, trellises, walls, and other vertical supports, and can even be grown in containers or hanging baskets for added versatility.
Morning Glories: History, Meaning, and More
Unraveling the Mystique of Morning Glories
Morning glories have captivated humanity for centuries due to their exquisite flowers and, in some species, their medicinal and psychoactive properties. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, morning glories have left their mark on various cultures worldwide.
In the realm of traditional medicine, morning glory has been employed to treat a diverse array of ailments, including digestive issues, inflammation, and wound healing. Some species, like Ipomoea tricolor, produce seeds containing the psychoactive compound LSA (lysergic acid amide), akin to the effects of LSD. These seeds have been integral to religious and shamanic rituals in certain Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Aztecs.
Throughout history, morning glories have been celebrated for their beauty, resulting in the development of many hybrid varieties that showcase unique colors and flower forms. These vines share their roots with the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), a close relative recognized as a vital food crop, thus intertwining their floral charm with practicality.
Meaningful Morning Glories
Morning glories symbolize love, affection, and the ephemeral nature of life. Their brief blooming period, with flowers opening at dawn and bidding farewell in the afternoon, serves as a poignant reminder to savor the beauty of each day. They also embody the concept of new beginnings, as they greet each morning with their vibrant blossoms.
While interpretations of morning glories’ symbolism may vary slightly across cultures, the themes of love, appreciation, and the fleeting beauty of life remain steadfast. These flowers find their place in gardens and floral arrangements, conveying profound meanings and infusing spaces with vibrant colors and charm.
Why Morning Glories Are Selected
Morning glories have been carefully chosen for their captivating, trumpet-shaped flowers and their remarkable ability to rapidly cover vertical surfaces in gardens. Their symbolic meanings and unique blooming patterns make them a beloved choice for both garden landscapes and floral creations.
Fun Fact: Some morning glory species exhibit color-changing flowers, starting with a vibrant hue in the morning and transitioning to a different shade by the afternoon.
Embrace the Beauty and Significance of September Birth Flowers
In the embrace of September, we are graced with two remarkable birth flowers: the Aster and the Morning Glory. Each of these blooms carries its own unique charm and symbolism, enriching the tapestry of nature’s wonders. Asters captivate us with their star-like appearance, symbolizing love, wisdom, faith, and patience, while Morning Glories enchant with their diurnal bloom and represent love, affection, and the fleeting beauty of life.
As we celebrate September, let us reflect on the profound meanings and enchanting beauty of these birth flowers. Whether adorning your garden or serving as tokens of affection in floral arrangements, Asters and Morning Glories remind us to cherish the beauty of each day and the love that binds us together.
At Only Flowers, we are dedicated to helping you celebrate life’s special moments with the language of flowers. Explore the rich symbolism and beauty of September’s birth flowers, and let them inspire your own moments of connection, appreciation, and love.
