Your Guide to August Flowers in Australia (And What to Do When You Can't Get Poppies)

For those in a hurry, here's the quick version: August babies get not one but TWO stunning birth flowers, the tall, proud gladiolus and the delicate, dreamy poppy. Both pack their own special meanings (strength and remembrance, if you're wondering), and we reckon they make brilliant gifts for August birthdays. Now, if you've got a cuppa handy, let's dive into the full story. My name is Bella, and as part of the Lily's Florist team for over a decade, I've heard my fair share of floral facts. But my favourite is this: the owners, Siobhan and Andrew, are both August babies! In a fun twist of fate, their birthdays are just days apart on the 11th and 14th, and they were even born in the same year."

Why August Has Two Birth Flowers (And Why That's Actually Brilliant)

Truth be told, when I first started working for Lily's Florist back in 2009, I had no idea birth month flowers were even a thing. Fast forward 16 years and thousands of "what flower should I send for an August birthday?" calls later, and we're proper experts on the topic.

The tradition of birth flowers goes back centuries, way before Yellow Pages ads were keeping the phone ringing off the hook in the old shop, you can learn all about that here! Different cultures assigned different blooms to each month, which is why August ended up with two beauties, the gladiolus (or "gladdies" as our partner florists lovingly call them) and the poppy. It's like having two birthday cakes - why choose when you can celebrate with both?

Gladiolus - August's Tower of Strength

The gladiolus is basically the overachiever of the flower world. Standing tall at up to 1.5 metres (that's taller than Andrew & Siobhan's daughter Asha was at 10!), these spiky beauties got their name from the Latin word for "sword." The ancient Romans thought they looked like their gladiator swords, and honestly, we can see it.

But here's what makes gladdies special for August birthdays:

• They symbolise strength of character, moral integrity, and remembrance
• Each colour carries its own meaning (red for passion, white for purity, pink for compassion)
• They bloom from bottom to top, representing growth and achievement
• They last ages in a vase - we're talking 7-10 days with proper care

Our Murwillumbah partner florist (yes, the brave one who took a chance on Lily's Florist back in 2009!), swore by adding a teaspoon of sugar to gladdie water. "Keeps them perky," she says, and after 15 years of partnership, we trust her completely.

The Poppy - August's Delicate Dreamer

Now, poppies are the complete opposite of gladdies - and that's exactly why we love them. These papery beauties might look fragile, but they're tough as nails. As Siobhan always says, it's kind of like running a flower business with a newborn!

Poppies bring their own special magic to August birthdays:

• They symbolise imagination, dreams, and eternal sleep (in the nicest way possible)
• Red poppies honour remembrance, while other colours celebrate success and luxury
• Their fleeting nature (2-3 days in a vase) makes them extra precious
• They're absolute showstoppers in the garden or a bouquet

Here's a funny thing, I once had a customer ring up asking for "those tissue paper flowers" for her daughter's August birthday. Took us three goes to work out she meant poppies! These days, our florist network knows exactly what customers mean, even when they describe flowers in the most creative ways.

What Your August Birth Flower Says About You

After nearly two decades of sending birthday flowers across Australia, I have noticed August babies tend to share some traits with their birth flowers. Now, I'm not an astrologer, but from everything I've learned from Siobhan and Andrew (the mum and dad who accidentally fell into flowers), here's what I've observed:

If you're drawn to gladiolus: You're likely the dependable one in your friend group. The one who stands tall when things get tough. Our Toowoomba partner florist used to call these folks "the backbone types", always there, always reliable, just like the gladdie's strong stem.

If poppies are more your thing: You're probably the creative dreamer, the one with big ideas and an even bigger imagination. These are the customers who ask us for "something magical", and our florists know exactly what they mean.

Mixing August Birth Flowers: Our Partner Florists' Top Combos

One thing we've learned from our network of 800+ partner florists: rules are made to be broken. While tradition says gladiolus OR poppy, our creative partners have come up with some ripper combinations:

• The Classic August: Soft pink gladdies with white poppies and eucalyptus (very Aussie, very elegant)
• The Bold Birthday: Red gladiolus spikes with orange Oriental poppies and purple statice
• The Country Garden: Mixed pastel gladdies with wildflower poppies and lavender
• The Modern Minimalist: Single white gladiolus stems with red poppy accents

Our Taree florist, around late July 2010, sent us a photo of an August arrangement that made us go "wow", it had deep purple gladdies with coral poppies. "It shouldn't work," she said, "but it absolutely does." That's the magic of working with local florists who know their craft!

Caring for August Birth Flowers (Lessons from the Experts)

Right, let's get practical. The business might have started with zero flower knowledge, but 18 years and countless "how do I keep these alive?" calls have taught us a thing or two:

For Gladiolus:

• Cut stems at an angle (our Ballina florist used to swear by a 45-degree angle)
• Remove lower leaves - they'll rot in water faster than you can say "August birthday"
• Change water every 2-3 days
• As lower blooms fade, snip them off to encourage upper buds to open
• Keep away from fruit bowls (ethylene gas speeds up ageing)

For Poppies:

• Sear stem ends with a flame or boiling water (sounds brutal, works brilliantly)
• Use shallow water - they drink less than you'd think
• Handle gently - those petals bruise easier than a peach
• Enjoy them quickly - they're the shooting stars of the flower world

Alternative August Flowers (When Gladdies and Poppies Won't Do)

Sometimes our partner florists can't get their hands on fresh poppies (they're notoriously tricky to track down at certain times of the year, especially in regional areas like Rockhampton QLD and Dubbo NSW), or maybe gladiolus feels too formal for your laid-back August baby. No dramas at all, we've got alternatives that carry similar meanings:

• Sunflowers: For strength and loyalty (plus they scream "August sunshine")
• Dahlias: Elegant and long-lasting, perfect for August Leos
• Zinnias: Cheerful and sturdy, representing endurance
• Roses: Classic for a reason - yellow for friendship, pink for gratitude

We had a customer many August moons ago, whose August-born mum "absolutely hated gladiolus" (her words, not ours!). Our Wollongong partner florist created a stunning sunflower and dahlia arrangement instead. The mum cried happy tears. That's why we love what we do.

Ordering August Birth Flowers: Making It Personal

Here's something we learned the hard way and that is not every florist stocks every flower every day. (Shocking, we know!) But that's actually the beauty of working with local partner florists is that they know what's fresh, what's gorgeous, and what'll make your August baby smile.

When you order flowers through Lily's Florist, here's what happens:

1. You place your order (online or by giving us a bell, our staff were actually awarded recently a Feefo Trusted Service Award)
2. We send it to our partner florist in your recipient's area
3. They handpick the freshest August flowers available
4. Your gift gets hand-delivered, often same day if ordered by 2pm

Want to make it extra special? Add a personal message that mentions why you chose their birth flower. Something like: "Happy Birthday! Sending you gladiolus because you're the strongest person I know" or "Poppies for my favourite dreamer." Trust us, it makes a difference.

The Bottom Line on August Birth Flowers

Whether you go with traditional gladiolus, delicate poppies, or something completely different, the real magic is in the gesture. After 18 years of connecting people through flowers (from the garage office to a network spanning Cairns to Hobart, and even Whyalla and Albany), I have seen how a thoughtful flower can transform someone's day.

August babies are lucky and then some, they get flowers that represent both strength and imagination, practicality and dreams. Kind of like running a flower business, really. You need the gladiolus-strength to handle Valentine's week madness and the poppy-imagination to turn 25 annoying phone calls into a nationwide flower network!

Ready to send some August birthday joy? Order by 2pm weekdays for same-day delivery across our network. And if you're not sure what to choose, just ask, our partner florists are absolute legends at creating something special. After all, that's what mates are for.

Frequently Asked Questions About August Birth Flowers

What are the official birth flowers for August?

August babies hit the jackpot with TWO birth flowers - the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladdie (as our florists call them) represents strength and moral integrity, while poppies symbolise imagination and remembrance. We reckon it's like having two birthday cakes - why choose when both are brilliant?

Can I send poppies in a bouquet, or do they die too quickly?

Right, we'll be straight with you - poppies are the divas of the flower world. They last 2-3 days max in a vase, which is why some of our partner florists suggest alternatives like ranunculus or anemones that give you that papery poppy look but hang around longer. That said, if your August baby loves poppies, go for it! Sometimes the best gifts are the fleeting ones.

Why can't I find gladiolus at my local florist year-round?

Gladdies can be seasonal ratbags, especially in smaller towns. Our partner florists tell us they're easiest to source from November through April (prime growing season), but August usually has decent availability. If your local can't get them, our network of 800+ florists means we can usually find them somewhere - even if it means calling our mate in Cairns when Sydney's sold out!

What if the August birthday person doesn't like gladiolus or poppies?

No dramas at all! We've been doing this since 2006, and trust us, not everyone loves their birth flower (we once had a customer who thought gladiolus looked like "angry corn"). Sunflowers, dahlias, and zinnias all carry similar August vibes. Just mention it in your order notes, and our partner florists will work their magic.

How much do August birth flower arrangements typically cost?

Look, we could give you a fancy price range, but here's the honest truth - it depends on where you're sending them and what's in season. A simple bunch of gladdies might start around $45, while a full arrangement with poppies and all the trimmings could hit $150+. Best bet? Set your budget when ordering, and our partner florists will create something gorgeous within it. They're good like that.

Do gladiolus come in different colours, and do the colours mean different things?

Absolutely! Gladdies are like a rainbow in stem form. Red means love and passion (Valentine's Day favourite), white represents purity and sympathy, pink shows compassion, yellow brings cheerfulness, and purple symbolises grace. Our Murwillumbah florist once told us, "If you can imagine the colour, there's probably a gladdie in it!"

Can I order August birth flowers for same-day delivery?

You bet! As long as you order before 2pm on weekdays, our partner florists can usually get your August blooms delivered the same day. Just remember - we're not magicians (though our florists come close). During busy times or in smaller towns, giving us a day's notice helps ensure your gladdies or poppies are fresh and fabulous.