July Birth Flower

Discover the two birth flowers of July — Larkspur and Water Lily — along with their meanings, symbolism, history, growing tips, and gift ideas.

Birth Flowers of the Month

July — Larkspur & Water Lily

July sits at the heart of summer: the tall, airy Larkspur rises in brilliant spires of blue, purple, and pink, while the tranquil Water Lily floats in serene perfection on still ponds. Both capture the dual spirit of July — exuberant outdoor energy and cool, reflective calm.

07

Larkspur

Consolida ajacis / Delphinium

Primary

Larkspur is a slender annual wildflower producing graceful spikes of deeply spurred blooms in an extraordinary range of blues, violets, pinks, and whites. Native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia, it has been grown in cottage gardens and cutting gardens for centuries. Its airy, upright form adds vertical drama to midsummer arrangements, and it is one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed sown directly in the garden.

Symbolism

  • Levity & lightness of heart
  • Ardent attachment & strong bonds
  • An open heart & positivity
  • First love & romantic devotion

Common Colors

Deep Blue Violet Pink White Lavender

Quick Facts

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to
Mediterranean, Central Asia
Bloom season
Late spring – midsummer
USDA zones
Annual (all zones)
Height
1 – 4 feet

Water Lily

Nymphaea (various species)

Secondary

The Water Lily is one of the most recognizable aquatic plants on earth, its broad, waxy pads and luminous cupped flowers floating in silent grace on the surfaces of ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. With roughly 58 species found on every inhabited continent except Antarctica, water lilies span an astonishing range of sizes — from tiny pond varieties to the giant Amazonian Victoria lily, whose leaves can hold a child's weight. Their blooms open each morning and close at dusk, a daily ritual that has made them enduring symbols of renewal.

Symbolism

  • Purity & untainted beauty
  • Enlightenment & spiritual awakening
  • Resilience & rising above adversity
  • Renewal & new beginnings

Common Colors

White Soft Pink Yellow Lavender Deep Rose

Quick Facts

Family
Nymphaeaceae
Native to
Worldwide (except Antarctica)
Bloom season
Late spring – early autumn
USDA zones
Hardy: 4–10; Tropical: 9–11
Bloom habit
Opens morning, closes at dusk

Larkspur Color Meanings

Each larkspur color carries a distinct message in the language of flowers. Click a color to learn what it conveys.

History & Mythology

Larkspur

Greek Mythology — The Blood of Ajax
In Greek mythology, larkspur is said to have sprung from the blood of the hero Ajax after his death at Troy. The petals were said to bear the letters "AI" — the Greek letters of Ajax's name and also the exclamation of grief (similar to "alas"). In another tradition, the flower grew where the blood of the slain Achilles fell. Both stories link larkspur to grief, heroic sacrifice, and the transient nature of even the greatest human life.
Renaissance Herbal Medicine
Renaissance herbalists in Europe recognized larkspur for medicinal uses alongside its ornamental appeal. Nicholas Culpeper's 17th-century herbal attributed larkspur with properties useful for treating scorpion stings and various skin conditions. Larkspur seeds were ground into a powder and applied externally against lice and other parasites. While modern toxicology confirms the plant's alkaloid content makes internal use dangerous, its role in the early pharmacopeia reflects the period's close attention to every flowering plant.
Victorian Floriography — The Language of Flowers
The Victorians assigned larkspur a rich vocabulary in their elaborate "language of flowers." Blue larkspur meant grace and dignity; purple conveyed first love; pink signified fickleness; and white expressed a happy nature. Sending a bouquet with larkspur was a deliberate act of communication — the color chosen would carry its own distinct emotional message to an informed recipient. Larkspur became a staple of the cottage garden movement for both its beauty and this sentimental layering of meaning.
Modern Horticulture — Cutting Garden Essential
Today, larkspur and its close relative the perennial delphinium are among the most popular summer cutting garden flowers in temperate regions. Commercial flower growers prize them for the intensity of their blue and violet shades — colors that are rare in the cut flower world. Larkspur's ease of growing from direct-sown seed makes it accessible to beginning gardeners, and it naturalizes readily in meadow plantings. As the primary July birth flower, larkspur frequently appears in birthday bouquets, summer wedding arrangements, and birth-month jewelry and tattoo designs.

Water Lily

Ancient Egypt — The Sacred Blue Lotus
In ancient Egypt, the blue water lily (often called the blue lotus, Nymphaea caerulea) was among the most sacred of all plants. Egyptians associated it with the sun god Ra and the concept of creation — each morning the flower opened with the sunrise and closed at sunset, mirroring the solar cycle. The blue water lily appears extensively in Egyptian tomb paintings, temple friezes, and funerary art, and was used in religious rituals, offerings, and possibly as a mild euphoric at ceremonial feasts. It was the national symbol of Upper Egypt.
Hindu & Buddhist Traditions
In Hindu cosmology, the lotus (a close relative of the water lily) is the seat of Brahma the creator and the symbol of Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity and beauty. In Buddhism, the lotus and water lily are the supreme emblems of spiritual enlightenment: the flower rises through murky water and mud to bloom in pristine beauty above the surface — a perfect metaphor for the human soul striving toward awakening despite the turbulence of worldly existence. The Padma (Sanskrit for lotus/water lily) appears in hundreds of religious texts, sculptures, and mandalas across South and Southeast Asia.
Claude Monet — The Impressionist Icon
No single artist is more identified with the water lily than Claude Monet (1840–1926). During the final three decades of his life, Monet created his famous water garden at Giverny, France, planting dozens of water lily varieties alongside Japanese bridges and weeping willows. From this garden emerged his monumental series of approximately 250 water lily paintings (Nymphéas), including the immersive panels now displayed at the Orangerie in Paris. Through Monet's work, the water lily became one of the most reproduced natural images in Western art history, synonymous with Impressionism itself.
Modern Conservation & Ecology
Today water lilies are recognized as ecologically important pond plants that oxygenate water, provide shade that inhibits algae growth, and shelter fish and amphibians. They are cultivated worldwide in garden ponds for their ornamental value and are the subject of active conservation efforts for rare species. The Victoria amazonica of South America, with its giant upturned-rim leaves spanning up to 10 feet, is a horticultural spectacle displayed in botanical gardens globally. Water lily extracts are used in cosmetics for their skin-soothing properties, continuing a tradition of beauty applications that stretches back to ancient Egypt.

Growing Tips

Growing Larkspur

  • 1. Direct-sow seeds in early spring (or autumn in mild climates) — larkspur does not transplant well, so sow where it will grow.
  • 2. Choose a sunny spot with cool temperatures; larkspur prefers spring coolness and fades in prolonged heat.
  • 3. Provide light, well-draining soil; larkspur tolerates poor soil but struggles in waterlogged conditions.
  • 4. Thin seedlings to 6–12 inches apart so each plant has room to develop its full spike height.
  • 5. Cut flower spikes when the lowest third of the spike is open for best vase life — they last 7–10 days with fresh water.

Growing Water Lilies

  • 1. Plant rhizomes in wide, shallow containers of heavy clay or loam soil; do not use loose potting mix, which floats.
  • 2. Position containers so the crown sits 6–18 inches below the water surface (deeper for large varieties).
  • 3. Ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for reliable flowering; shade reduces blooms significantly.
  • 4. Fertilize monthly during the growing season with aquatic slow-release tablets pushed directly into the soil.
  • 5. Hardy varieties survive winter in frozen ponds if the crown is below the ice line; move tropical varieties indoors before the first frost.

Gift Ideas for July Birthdays

Make a July birthday memorable with these larkspur- and water-lily-inspired ideas.

Larkspur Bouquet

A lush arrangement of blue and purple larkspur with white accents — a dramatic, airy midsummer gift.

Water Lily Plant Kit

A hardy water lily rhizome with a small container pond — a living gift that blooms each summer.

Birth Flower Jewelry

A silver or gold pendant featuring a larkspur or water lily motif — a wearable tribute to July.

Monet Water Lily Print

A framed reproduction of one of Monet's iconic Nymphéas paintings — a classic, meaningful keepsake.

Botanical Illustration

A detailed scientific botanical print of larkspur or water lily species — elegant wall art for a nature lover.

Birth Flower Book

A beautifully illustrated guide to birth flowers and their meanings — a thoughtful gift for any floral enthusiast.

Birth Flower by Month

Select any month to see its traditional birth flower.

Summary

Discover the two birth flowers of July — Larkspur and Water Lily — along with their meanings, symbolism, history, growing tips, and gift ideas.

How it works

  1. Browse the hero cards to compare Larkspur and Water Lily side by side.
  2. Explore each flower's symbolism and the messages different colors convey.
  3. Check the Quick Facts grids for botanical family, hardiness zones, and bloom details.
  4. Read the History and Mythology section to discover the ancient lore behind each flower.
  5. Use the Growing Tips panel to cultivate larkspur or water lilies in your own garden or pond.
  6. Pick a gift from the July Birthday Gift Ideas section.
  7. Use the month-selector widget to look up birth flowers for any month of the year.

Use cases

  • Finding a meaningful gift flower for a friend born in July.
  • Planning a July birthday bouquet with seasonal blooms.
  • Learning floral symbolism for greeting card design or wedding themes.
  • Growing larkspur in a cutting garden or water lilies in a backyard pond.
  • Teaching children about birth flower traditions and summer gardening.
  • Choosing a tattoo or artwork design with personal birth-month significance.
  • Writing poetry or prose that references July or midsummer symbolism.
  • Identifying a flower you received as a July birthday gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu