August Birth Flowers : The gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, sincerity, and generosity.

The month of August has two birth flowers, the gladiolus and the poppy, both are colourful and make excellent cut flowers. They also share a rich symbolism tied to remembrance. This post is about the gladiolus.

The gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, sincerity, and generosity. As a garden flower it provides height and a splash colour in the final full month of the summer season.

The gladiolus is a member of the Iris family and is native to Africa, the Mediterranean, and southern Europe, with more than 300 species that come in a range of vibrant colours.

Also known as “sword lily,” the gladiolus got its name from the sword-like appearance of its leaves. “Gladiolus” itself comes from the Latin word gladius, meaning “sword.” Roman Gladiators would wear the flowers around their necks in competitive games.

Gladiolus Meanings and Symbolism

• The flower has long been a symbol of strength, victory, healing, and honour. It has also been associated with moral character, remembrance, and intelligence.
• In Victorian times, romantics believed that the beauty of the gladiolus could pierce another’s heart with love. In floral meanings, the flower also came to symbolize infatuation, love at first sight, and faithfulness.
• Each colour holds a different meaning: Red symbolizes love, romance, and passion; pink means compassion and a mother’s love; white represents innocence and purity; yellow symbolizes friendship and joy; and purple means fortune and beauty.
• In addition to being one of the August birth flowers, the gladiolus is traditionally given as a gift for 40th anniversaries.

The Gladiolus in History

• The first South African species was brought to Europe in the mid-18th century. By the early 19th century, enthusiasts in England began the process of hybridizing the flowers and making them more well-suited to home gardens.
• In ancient Rome, the gladiolus was known as the flower of the gladiators, with spectators covering the winner of the fight in the colorful blooms.
• It became popular in the U.S. around the turn of the 20th century, leading to the American Gladiolus Society in Boston in 1910.
• The British Gladiolus Society was founded in 1926. Its objectives are to stimulate interest and promote cultivation, breeding and improvement of the Gladiolus

I hope you enjoyed this post. One about the month of August other birth flower the poppy will follow shortly.

You may like to read the post about 'Some Foods In Season During August' which also has some recipe suggestions - please see it here

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan