The beautiful and warm month of July is said to be the most productive growing month of the entire year. Perhaps that is why it has two birth flowers associated with it: the Larkspur and the Water Lily.

Larkspur
Also called “Larks Heel” by William Shakespeare, the Larkspur is a beautiful compact flower traditionally found in southern Europe. The Larkspur can now be found growing throughout North America and is a beautiful addition to any garden.

The Larkspur gets its name from the flowers that have 5 petals that grow together to form a hollow space with a spur at the end. The Larkspur blooms in a variety of colors with the most popular being white, pink and purple or mauve.

This tricky flower is said to evoke joy and a sweet disposition, but it is quite toxic and is said to be a leading cause of livestock poisoning and death on farms in the United States. Its black seeds are poisonous if consumed, but have been used in the past to protect people’s hair from nits and lice. The flower juice when mixed with alum produces a blue ink that can be used to dye cloth and write; and it is said that the townspeople of Transylvania used the flower to ward off witches from the stables.

The Larkspur, or Delphinium, blooms in late spring and is pollinated by butterflies and bees and is a beautiful addition to any garden or unique floral design.

water lily
Those lucky enough to be born in July may also call the water lily their birth flower. This exotic-looking plant blooms year-round in temperate and tropical climates around the world, including as a wildflower in Edmonton, Alberta. The water lily comes in a variety of colors and, according to Indian legend, was originally a star that fell from the sky.

The water lily is often interchanged with the lotus, the Buddhist symbol of enlightenment and is the national flower of Bangladesh (the blue water lily is the national flower of Sri Lanka).

Its leaves and flowers grow above the water while the plant remains rooted in the ground. They are commonly used as ornamental plants due to their beauty and place within nature as a peaceful flower, and have been popularly depicted in a number of Monet’s paintings.

Whether used as an ornamental flower or as a symbol of joy, the water lily is definitely a welcome addition to any garden pond.