If you or a loved one is celebrating a birthday in May, nature offers a delightful duo of birth flowers: the delicate lily of the valley and the cheerful hawthorn. Sending a happy birthday bouquet featuring these birth flowers is a thoughtful way to acknowledge someone special. Whether you choose the sweet fragrance of the lily of the valley or the vibrant optimism of the hawthorn, May's birth flowers are sure to bring a smile to the face of any May baby.
Born in May? Here's A Little Trivia
Did you know that May babies are something of a rarity? May birthdays might hold a special charm, but they're also statistically a bit less common. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, fewer babies are born in May compared to other months. This is likely because conceptions tend to dip during winter, leading to fewer births nine months later. Interestingly, only one day in May cracks the top 100 popular birthdays, while six others land in the bottom 50! If you know a May baby, you might be celebrating someone unique in personality and birthdate.
What Are The Birth Flowers For May?
May boasts two stunning birth flowers: lily of the valley and hawthorn. These enchanting blooms, each with unique characteristics and symbolism, perfectly embody the essence of spring.
Lily of The Valley
The lily of the valley has tiny, white, bell-shaped flowers that dangle sweetly from slender stems. Its powerful and beautiful fragrance makes it popular for wedding bouquets. It thrives in cooler climates and can be found in the wild throughout the Northern Hemisphere in Europe and Asia, although there's also a North American variety.
It's famously known to be a favorite flower of the late Queen Elizabeth II and was featured in her Majesty's coronation bouquet in 1953.
Despite its beauty fit for royalty, the lily of the valley may not be a pet-friendly flower to have near curious pets or even children. While undeniably lovely, parts of the plant can be poisonous when ingested. Although generally safe for humans, washing your hands after touching them is best.
The Hawthorn
Hawthorn is technically a flowering shrub that graces the landscape with its clusters of pink or white blossoms. Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, it not only bears beautiful flowers but also berries that are sometimes used in decorative floral arrangements. Related to roses, apples, and spirea, hawthorn belongs to the rose family. It blooms in clusters in May, giving hawthorn its nickname, "maythorn."
Symbolism Behind May Birth Flowers
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Lily of The Valley Flower Meaning
With its cascading bells of white or sometimes pinkish flowers, the lily of the valley is often seen as a symbol of sweetness, purity, and humility. It is steeped in myth and legend, woven into tales of love, renewal, and divine favor. In ancient Christian stories, it is believed that the tears of the Virgin Mary turned into these delicate flowers, earning them the moniker "Our Lady's Tears" or "Mary's Tears." The lily of the valley is also considered a lucky flower, bringing good fortune and protection against evil spirits, making it a popular choice for May Day celebrations.
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Hawthorn Flower Meaning
Hawthorn is known for its longevity and ability to thrive in various conditions, symbolizing hope, happiness, and resilience, particularly in the face of adversity. Gifting a floral arrangement with hawthorns can be a way to wish someone to stay strong and that better things are yet to come. On the other hand, the thorny branches of the hawthorn can also symbolize warning or caution. In Celtic folklore, the hawthorn is a guardian, protecting against negativity.
Beautiful May Birthday Flowers for Same-Day Delivery
Make your loved ones feel special with a thoughtful birthday bouquet featuring their birth flowers. Orchid Republic has a collection of exquisite birthday flower arrangements available for same-day flower delivery anywhere in Los Angeles County and Orange County. We also have impressive gift items and luxurious gift boxes that surely make their birthday celebrations unforgettable.
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