August Birth Flowers: The Meaning Behind the Gladiolus and Poppy

The birth flowers for August are the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus stands for strength, integrity, and remembrance, while the poppy represents remembrance and imagination. Together they capture a month that is bold on one end and quietly reflective on the other, which is part of why we enjoy designing with them at Milano's UpTowne Florist.

If you're shopping for someone with an August birthday, or you're just curious what these flowers mean and how a Columbus, Ohio florist actually works with them, here's what our team has learned from years of hands-on design.

What are the birth flowers for August?

August is one of the few months with two birth flowers instead of one. The gladiolus, sometimes called the "sword lily" for its tall, upright shape, symbolizes strength and admiration. The poppy, delicate and often associated with remembrance, brings a softer, more sentimental note to the pairing. Between the two, you get a nice balance: one flower that makes a statement, and one that carries quiet meaning.

The gladiolus: height, presence, and a touch of elegance

Gladiolus is a tall flower with soft, elegant petals, and that height is exactly why we reach for it so often. It adds width and vertical presence to an arrangement, which is part of what gives a design that "wow factor" when someone opens the door and sees it for the first time.

Why gladiolus works so well in larger arrangements

We use gladiolus regularly in larger event work and sympathy pieces, where its height allows it to work as a standing spray or a strong vertical element. For an August birthday arrangement, think a bit larger than a dozen roses in a taller vase. The gladiolus extends out and fills the space, so in a home with standard eight-foot ceilings, or something taller, the arrangement reads as bigger and more present than it might otherwise.

Mini gladiolus for smaller designs

Not every arrangement calls for that scale. Growers also produce a mini gladiolus, which lets us bring the same shape and color into smaller designs. It's expanded the range of arrangements we can build with gladiolus, so you don't have to choose between the flower you love and the size that fits your space or budget.

The poppy: delicate, meaningful, and rarely in stock

Poppies don't show up in our arrangements nearly as often as gladiolus, and there's a practical reason for that. Poppies have delicate stems, similar to an anemone, so they tend to work best in smaller, more compact designs rather than large-scale pieces. They also require a little extra care when handling and arranging.

Because they're so delicate and seasonal, we don't keep poppies in regular stock. They're more of a special-order flower for us. Interestingly, the poppy holds a much bigger cultural role overseas. In England and across Great Britain and the Commonwealth, the poppy is the national symbol of remembrance, worn each year to honor those who served. That meaning lines up closely with what August represents for many families, ours included.

Choosing between gladiolus and poppy for an August birthday

The right choice really depends on the occasion. Gladiolus tends to show up more in sympathy work, where its height and structure suit a standing spray, but it's also a wonderful choice for an August birthday arrangement when you want something with real presence. If someone has a bit of extra height to play with in their home, gladiolus is the flower that will make the biggest visual impact.

Poppies, since we don't stock them regularly, are less common for everyday birthday orders, but they're worth asking about if the sentiment behind the flower matters as much as the look.

Getting the most life out of a gladiolus arrangement

Like all of our arrangements, gladiolus does best out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources; cool spots are fine. Keep the vase topped off with water, and you'll get to watch the arrangement change over the following days. We deliver gladiolus with some blooms open and others still in bud, so you'll see new flowers open right in your own home.

Gladiolus also comes in a wide range of colors, including purple, yellow, orange, and red, which makes it a great fit for bold summertime color palettes.

Why we love designing with gladiolus at Milano's

Every arrangement we build is custom made, which is one of the real advantages of working with a local, family-owned florist instead of a national chain or a florist with multiple locations. That flexibility lets us design with gladiolus in ways that a lot of shops simply can't, whether that's a sympathy standing spray, a tall summer birthday arrangement, or a year-round piece that needs a little extra height and structure. Even a few stems of gladiolus can give a smaller arrangement a size and presence it wouldn't have otherwise.

What August means to our family

August carries a deeper meaning for our family beyond birth flowers. On August 12, 2016, our daughter Courtney was killed in a car accident while our family and members of the Worthington Kilbourne water polo team were traveling to a tournament near Toledo. My wife and two of our other daughters were also in that accident. It was a difficult, very public tragedy for our community, and this August marks ten years.

The poppy's meaning of remembrance has always resonated with us because of that day. We share this not for sympathy, but because it's part of who we are as a family and as a business that has served Central Ohio since 1935. August will always be a month of remembrance for us, alongside everything else it represents.

Order August birthday flowers in Central Ohio

If you're sending flowers for an August birthday, a gladiolus arrangement is a thoughtful way to bring height, color, and presence to someone's day. As a Columbus, Ohio florist serving Worthington, Dublin, Powell, Upper Arlington, Delaware, Lewis Center, Westerville, Hilliard, Plain City, Clintonville, and the surrounding Central Ohio area, we design every arrangement by hand, so your gift feels personal rather than generic.

Order birthday flowers online today, or call us at 614-889-1001 if you'd like help choosing the right design. You may also enjoy our related guide on choosing flowers by birth month for other months throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions: August Birth Flowers

What are the birth flowers for August?

The birth flowers for August are the gladiolus and the poppy. The gladiolus symbolizes strength and admiration, while the poppy represents remembrance and imagination.

Why do gladiolus work well in larger arrangements?

Gladiolus adds height and width to a design, giving it more visual presence. It's a popular choice for taller vase arrangements, event work, and sympathy standing sprays.

Why don't you keep poppies in stock?

Poppies have delicate stems similar to an anemone and are more seasonal and specialized, so we treat them as a special-order flower rather than a regular stock item.

What colors does gladiolus come in?

Gladiolus is available in a range of colors, including purple, yellow, orange, and red, making it a versatile choice for bold summer palettes.

How do I care for a gladiolus arrangement?

Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from heat, and top off the water regularly. Many of the blooms will continue to open over the following days.

Do you offer same-day flower delivery for August birthdays?

Yes. Milano's UpTowne Florist offers same-day flower delivery in most areas when ordered by the daily cutoff. Availability may vary by season, delivery area, and flower selection.