August FLOWER OF THE MONTH : GLADIOLUS
Gladiolus is the birth month flower of August and is said to bring luck to people born in this month. This flower derived its name from the Latin word ‘Gladious’ which means sword, given to its sword-shaped leaves. Often known as Glads, these flowers feature tall, dramatic stalks of brightly coloured funnel-shaped blossoms.
SYMBOLISM, SIGNIFICANCE AND MEANING
This flower symbolizes sincerity, strength of character and moral integrity along with remembrance and infatuation. It is also believed that even though the sword-shaped leaves of these flowers hark back to ancient swords, Gladiolus were determined to be capable of piercing someone’s heart with their beauty. These are one of the most popular flowers in cultivation and hybridization because of their beauty, fragrance and the easiness of growing.
COLOURS GLADIOLUS IS FOUND IN
Gladiolus could be found in various colours like white, pink, yellow, red, orange, salmon, purple and even green. These flowers are also available in several bi-colours that look breath taking. These may include light purple flowers with contrasting markings of white,orange to red flowers, pink to reddish coloured flowers and white to cream flowers.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GLADIOLUS
Gladiolus flowers have a lot of medicinal uses and hence can be used to cure common colds, constipation and diarrhoea.In earlier times, the powdered roots of these flowers were mixed with goat’s milk, and were used as a drink for babies to relieve colic. Also, in England, Gladiolus roots were used as medicinal poultice to draw out thorns and splinters from the skin. A well-known actress Dame Edna Everage is said to have adopted these flowers as her signature blossoms. She was often seen in pictures and publicity shots posing along with these flowers.
Besides being the August month’s birth flower, Gladiolus is also known as the official flower of 40-year anniversaries. So, next time you go out to pick flowers for an August born or for someone celebrating their 40th anniversary, you certainly know Gladiolus are the gorgeous blossoms you need to look for!
