By the time April arrives, spring is in full bloom in most parts of the country. The April birth flower is the cheerful, colorful daisy. Daisies symbolize childhood innocence, simplicity and joy, which makes them a wonderful choice to include in a spring bouquet or to grow in your garden.
Daisies are close cousins to sunflowers and the three most popular varieties are the Shasta daisy, African daisy and gerbera daisy. Though daisies are widely recognized as the birth flower for April, sweet peas are actually another official flower for this month. Keep reading to learn more about the history, meaning, and symbolism behind these beautiful April flowers!
Daisies in History
The gerbera daisy (gerbera jamesonii) is native to Africa and gained intercontinental notoriety after a Scotsman, Robert Jameson, saw the plant in 1884 near Barberton, South Africa. There’s also evidence that ancestral relatives of the daisy can be traced back to South America as far as 47.5 million years ago and (in more recent history) in Europe and Asia.
Breeding programs that began in England in 1890 elevated the flower’s quality and colors, making them a favorite among both gardeners and givers of bouquets. The gerbera is still the fifth most popular flower in the world behind the rose, carnation, chrysanthemum, and tulip.
Daisy Birth Flower Meaning
There are many meanings assigned to the gentle daisy — including innocence, happiness, good luck and new beginnings. In Victorian times, daisies stood for loyalty and trust. There is also a story in Roman mythology of a nymph named Belides who transformed herself into a daisy to escape from unwanted attention. This myth gave daisies the additional meanings of modesty and innocence.
White Daisy Meaning
When most people think of a daisy, they picture a delicate white flower with a bright yellow center. These types of daisies represent purity and innocence, making them the perfect gift to celebrate the birth of a baby.
Pink Daisy Meaning
Pink daisies are gentle blooms that represent love and romance. If you’re looking for the perfect bouquet of flowers to give to a loved one, pink daisies are a great way to express your feelings and show how much you care.
Yellow Daisy Meaning
This bright flower is a symbol of happiness and friendship. Show your appreciation to your friends by giving them a beautiful bouquet of yellow daisies, or show yourself love and brighten up your home by using these as a table centerpiece.
Daisy Birth Flower Symbolism
It is believed that the name “daisy” is a variation of “day’s eye” because the whole flower head closes up at night and opens up again in the morning light. Due to their bright and cheerful nature, daisies are most often used to symbolize purity and innocence, which came from a Celtic legend.
According to this legend, God would sprinkle daisies over the earth to cheer up parents who had lost a child. Daisies can also be used to symbolize beauty, love, and fertility, along with motherhood, childbirth, and new beginnings.
Daisy Birth Flower + Personality Traits
So now you know what the daisy symbolizes, but what does it say about your personality? Generally speaking, this April birth flower and those born in April are associated with the following qualities:
- Cheerfulness — You’re a happy-go-lucky person and always have a smile on your face. Every time you walk in, you immediately lighten up the room with your radiant and loving personality.
- Positivity — You always choose to see the bright side of everything and remain optimistic even in the darkest of times. Everyone goes to you when they need words of encouragement and a positive outlook on a situation.
- Trustworthy — You’re an honest and truthful person. Everyone trusts you even with their deepest, darkest secret, which is why they generally find a confidant in you.
- Adventurous — There’s never a dull moment when you’re around! You’re always on the go and looking for the next big adventure.
Fun Facts About Daisies
This bright flower is commonly found all over the world, making it one of the most popular blooms to this day. Due to its fame, it has become widely used in many households, cultures, and traditions.
- Daisies are often depicted in meadows (“flowery meads”) in medieval paintings.
- Daisies are believed to be more than 4,000 years old.
- Hairpins decorated with daisies were found during the excavation of the Minoan Palace on the Island of Crete.
- Egyptian ceramics decorated with daisies date back to ancient times.
- Some people believed that daisies kept away lightening, which is why they were often grown indoors.
- Daisies are also known in England as “bruisewort” because their crushed leaves can soothe bruised or chapped skin.
- Daisy leaves can be eaten and make a pretty addition to salads.
April Birthstone: Diamond
Known as the ultimate symbol of love, this ancient gem has been sought-after and adorned by men and women for centuries. These stunning stones are a symbol of clarity and strength, possibly because it is known as the hardest gem to this date. In fact, diamonds are so strong that their name comes from the Greek word “adamas,” which means “unbreakable” or “invincible”.
Diamonds date all the way back to India where they were first discovered and mined over 2,400 years ago. Over time, diamonds were found in many other areas around the world, including in various parts of Africa. In today’s trade, diamonds mostly come from Russia, Australia, Africa, and Canada. Ethically sourced diamonds have become more popular due to their fair humanitarian mining practices and uncompromised origins.
Sweet Pea: The Other April Birth Flower
The daisy isn’t the only official flower of April — there’s actually another bright and colorful bloom that shares the title!
Sweet Pea Symbolism + History
Sweet peas are often associated with bliss, pleasure and the idea of saying goodbye to someone. It’s also common to use these flowers as a way of saying thank you to show your gratitude and appreciation.
This beautiful bloom hails from Italy and was first brought by F. Kupani, a Sicilian monk, to England in the 18th century. From there, it quickly grew popularity and the king wanted these flowers at every dinner party and wedding. The first person to coin the term “sweet pea” was a poet named Keats in the early 1800s, who grew fond of the flower’s sweet smell.
Sweet Pea Meaning
The two Greek words in the flower’s scientific name, “Lathyrus odoratus,” mean “fragrant” and “very attractive.” As with many flowers, each color the sweet pea grows in has its own special meaning:
- White—White sweet peas symbolize purity and innocence, holiness and omnipotence.
- Purple—Purple sweet peas represent calm and mystical energy that can often be used to show uniqueness and appreciation.
- Yellow—It’s not a surprise that yellow sweet peas represent cheerfulness and positivity! These bright flowers bring a smile to everyone’s face and sunshine to the day.
- Orange—Orange sweet peas are a symbol of warmth and optimism. These flowers will bring strength and endurance when you’re feeling low.
April showers might bring May flowers, but April also brings us the delightful daisy and sweet pea. Cheer someone up or brighten your home for Easter with a beautiful bouquet of daisies or sweet peas, whether they’re pink, yellow, or white!
