August · late summer
August birth flower: Gladiolus and Poppy
August's birth flowers are gladiolus and poppy, and its birthstone is peridot. Here's what they mean and how to give them.
Gladiolus and PoppyBirth flower
PeridotBirthstone →Shop August birthstone jewelry
Peridot for strength, good fortune and warding off nightmares, paired with the gladiolus. Our favorite searches for August gifts.
August birthstone necklaceDainty peridot pendants, the #1 birth month giftShop on Amazon →Peridot ringsSolitaires, stackers & bezel settingsShop on Amazon →August birthstone braceletCharm & chain bracelets with tiny stonesShop on Amazon →Peridot stud earringsSimple studs that go with everythingShop on Amazon →Gladiolus birth flower necklaceThe August flower, engraved or pressedShop on Amazon →Flower + stone necklaceBoth your symbols in one pieceShop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
The August palette
August birth flower
Gladiolus
Gladiolus
The gladiolus stands for strength of character, integrity and remembrance.
Gladiolus colors & meanings
- Red: passion and love
- Pink: compassion
- White: innocence
- Purple: grace and charm
- Yellow: cheerfulness
Gladiolus comes from the Latin gladius, "sword," after its blade-shaped leaves. The flower was linked with Roman gladiators, who supposedly wore the corms as amulets. It is also the traditional flower for 40th wedding anniversaries.
Fun facts
- Each stem can carry 12 to 20 blooms that open from the bottom up.
- Gladioli are native to South Africa and the Mediterranean.
August birth flower
Poppy
Papaver rhoeas
The poppy stands for remembrance, imagination and peaceful sleep.
Poppy colors & meanings
- Red: remembrance
- White: peace
- Yellow: success
Red field poppies bloomed across the battlefields of Flanders in World War I, and John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" made them a symbol of remembrance. The Greeks and Romans linked them with sleep and dreams.
Fun facts
- Poppy seeds stay viable in the soil for decades and sprout when the ground is disturbed.
- Each crinkled flower lasts only a day or two.
August birth flower tattoo ideas
Gladiolus is a dramatic vertical design. Its sword-like leaves and stacked blooms look striking down the spine, on a forearm or along the ribs.
See August tattoo ideasYour August birthstone
Peridot stands for strength, good fortune and warding off nightmares. Lime to olive green.
Shop August jewelryAugust birthstone guideAugust birth flower gifts
Gladiolus birth flower necklaces on Amazon →August birth flower art prints on Amazon →Gladiolus seeds to grow your own on Amazon →We may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Questions, answered
What is the August birth flower?
The August birth flowers are Gladiolus and Poppy. Gladiolus symbolizes strength of character, integrity and remembrance.
What does the August birth flower mean?
Gladiolus means strength of character, integrity and remembrance. Poppy means remembrance, imagination and peaceful sleep.
What is the August birthstone?
The August birthstone is Peridot, a symbol of strength, good fortune and warding off nightmares. Alternates: spinel and sardonyx.
What is a good August birth flower gift?
A bouquet of fresh gladioluss, a pressed-flower or illustrated print, a birth flower necklace, or peridot jewelry that pairs the flower and the stone.
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