Month 07 · flower almanac
July
birth flower
Larkspur represents an open heart and strong emotional bonds. Its tall spikes of colorful blooms symbolize the levity and lightness of summer days.
Share the July flower guide
Immediate answer
Larkspur, with Water Lily as an alternative
- Primary flower
- LarkspurDelphinium spp.
- Secondary tradition
- Water LilyNymphaea spp.
- Symbolic keywords
- Strong Bonds · Open Heart · Positivity · Joy
- List policy
- Alternatives are kept visibleBirth-flower lists can vary by publisher and period
Identity
About Larkspur
Larkspur features tall spires of delicate, spurred flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. These cottage garden favorites attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Primary botanical name
- Delphinium spp.
- Secondary botanical name
- Nymphaea spp.
Larkspur and water lily are broad common names represented at genus level.
Common color palette
- #4169E1
- #9370DB
- #FF69B4
- #FFFFFF
Symbolic tradition
Meanings and associations
Larkspur represents an open heart and strong emotional bonds. Its tall spikes of colorful blooms symbolize the levity and lightness of summer days.
Interpretation label: Within flower symbolism, July is associated with joyful, light-hearted, generous, social, creative. These are cultural descriptors, not traits caused by a birth month.
Context
History and cultural variations
Larkspur's name comes from the spur-shaped petal that resembles a lark's claw. Ancient Greeks believed the flower sprang from the blood of Ajax. It's native to the Northern Hemisphere.
Associated with Ajax's blood in mythology
Represented fickleness and an open heart
Used to make blue dye for textiles
Celebrates July birthdays and summer joy
Variation note: These summaries document traditions; they do not imply that a meaning is universal within an entire culture.
Practical guide
Cut-flower care and gift ideas
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Provide support for tall stems
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Deadhead to prolong blooming
- Note: All parts are toxic if ingested
Budget ideas
Larkspur seeds · Dried larkspur arrangement · Larkspur-scented products
Mid-range ideas
Fresh larkspur bouquet · Larkspur-themed art · Garden planting set
Premium ideas
Ruby jewelry (matching birthstone) · Custom floral arrangement · Garden design consultation
Botanical fact
Which plant does “larkspur” actually mean?
Birth-flower pages usually stop at the common name. That is a problem, because several of these names cover dozens of different plants — so the flower you are sold, plant, or tattoo may not be the one the tradition refers to. Below is the accepted botanical name behind each entry and how precisely it pins the plant down.
| Role | Common name | Botanical name | Precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Larkspur | Delphinium spp. | Whole genusThe common name covers many cultivated species and hybrids, so it names a group rather than one plant. |
| Alternative | Water Lily | Nymphaea spp. | Whole genusThe common name covers many cultivated species and hybrids, so it names a group rather than one plant. |
Larkspur and water lily are broad common names represented at genus level.
Unlike birthstones, birth flowers were never standardised by a trade body, so publishers genuinely disagree — most often about the second flower of the month, and between British and American lists. This site follows one maintained editorial reference, names it in the source record below, and checks botanical names against Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It does not present the mapping as a single international standard.
If you are buying or planting: ask for the botanical name above rather than the common one. A “larkspur” from two suppliers can be two different plants with different hardiness, size, and care needs.