Are you or a loved one a March baby? Then you may be wondering, “What is the March birth flower?” Well, we have good news, friends: those born in March can claim two flowers as their own.
Two members of the Narcissus genus, the daffodil and the jonquil, are March birth flowers. Both of these plants survive frigid winters as underground bulbs then emerge in the spring as bright flowers. And they look great in the garden as well as in bouquets. So if you’re looking for a birthday flower for those born in March, these are great options!
The First March Birth Flower: The Daffodil
When March arrives, cold temperatures begin to fade, and the world shakes off shades of gray in favor of green leaves and colorful flowers. As you might already know, daffodils are some of the first flowers to emerge each spring. The plants begin by sending out elongated green leaves and then liven up gardens and forest edges with trumpet-shaped flowers.
Although daffodils aren’t native to the United States (they originated in areas around the Mediterranean), you can spot them throughout much of the country. Decades-old plantings pop up in abandoned homesteads, and modern varieties brighten new gardens. And not only does this March birth month flower look great in the garden, but it also holds up well as a cut flower. So don’t hesitate to pick a handful of the flowers for your favorite vase.
It’s easy to confuse the terms daffodil, Narcissus, and jonquil. In short, the daffodil is the common name for any member of the Narcissus genus, and then jonquil refers to one Narcissus species (Narcissus jonquilla). That means all jonquils are daffodils, but not all daffodils are jonquils. Still, people often use the term daffodil to refer to larger Narcissus flowers.
Daffodil Meaning and Symbolism
Take the daffodil’s early spring emergence into account, and it’s no surprise this March bith month flower is a symbol of rebirth, life, patience, and perseverance.
Just think about how they spend all winter underground, sight unseen. They patiently wait until the conditions are just right, then send their energy into producing new growth. And if a bit of snow or a cold snap appears, no worries! These seemingly tender flowers are actually hardy enough to withstand significant challenges.
Therefore, giving someone daffodils can be a great way to remind them that you stand beside them as they face challenges. Whether they’re applying for a new job, getting ready to take a big exam, or in the middle of a move, daffodils remind them they’ve got this.
However, daffodils are also symbols of uncontrolled ego. This all relates to the Greek story of Narcissus. The myth goes that Narcissus was in love with nobody but himself. In fact, he was so infatuated with his looks that he spent hours staring at his reflection in a lake. Eventually, he fell into the water and was transformed into a flower.
Popular Types of Daffodils
When you think of daffodils, you probably imagine solid yellow flowers or maybe a simple orange trumpet surrounded by cream petals. But did you know there are hundreds of different daffodil varieties? You can find varieties with fancy frilled petals and trumpets (aka cups) and flowers featuring fading colors reminiscent of a well-done ombre hair dye.
If you want to experiment with daffodils, start with the following varieties.
- ‘Erlicheer’: A play on the term early cheer, this daffodil definitely brings smiles to onlookers’ faces! Layers of soft yellow double petals combine to form a flower that looks like it’s made out of delicate tissue paper.
- ‘Sunny Girlfriend’: This flower’s flattened trumpet almost lays flat against the petals, but that doesn’t detract from its beauty. Instead, the slightly ruffled apricot cup creates a nice balance with the white petals.
- ‘Petit Four’: The trumpet on ‘Petit Four’ features layers of apricot ruffles, and the white petals create an elegant backdrop.
- ‘Red Devon’: A large, deep orange cup bursts out from bright yellow petals, and flowers grow up to 20 inches tall.
The Second March Birth Flower: The Jonquil
The jonquil is often mistaken for a tiny daffodil, but it actually refers to a specific daffodil species. Remember, people use the term daffodil to refer to all plants in the Narcissus genus. That said, all of these flowers have trumpet-shaped flowers and come in shades of yellow, white, and orange. Additionally, both flowers emerge in the early spring (that’s one reason why they’re the birth flower for March).
Jonquils are native to Spain, Portugal, and nearby areas, but they’re now grown across the world. Like their larger daffodil cousins, they brighten forest edges, city planters, and home window boxes. They also work well as cut flowers and are excellent spring gifts.
Jonquil Meaning and Symbolism
These tiny Narcissus flowers hold many meanings. Like daffodils, they’re often associated with rebirth and new beginnings. But people also hold them as symbols of desire and forgiveness.
Not only do the small flowers symbolize desire, but they relate to a desire for returned affection. Therefore, people often associate them with unrequited love.
Their link to forgiveness means they are a great way to let someone know you’re sorry. If you’ve made a mistake, try to make amends by handing over a bouquet of jonquil and a thoughtful note.
Popular Types of Jonquil
All jonquils are small, trumpet-shaped flowers that look like smaller versions of daffodils. However, you can find various colors and textures within these flowers. The number of flowers per stem also varies between varieties with one to five flowers per stem.
- ‘Baby Moon’: Expect three to five bright yellow flowers per stem. Not only are the flowers beautiful, but they also emit a strong floral fragrance.
- ‘Bell Song’: This variety features deep peach cups surrounded by light cream petals. It’s also fragrant.
- ‘Sailboat’: With backswept petals reminiscent of a windy sail, this variety is appropriately named. Both the petals and cup are a relaxing light yellow shade.
A Note About Cut Narcissus Flowers
Although all members of the Narcissus genus look beautiful in a vase, be careful when mixing daffodils and jonquils with other flowers. These flowers emit a sap that can harm other flowers and quickly cause them to wilt. Therefore, you should avoid creating a bouquet of daffodils and tulips. Fortunately, these flowers are beautiful on their own!
Learn More About Birth Month Flowers
Now that you’re familiar with the birth month flowers of March, take some time to learn about the all birth month flowers! Whether you’re interested in ordering a birthday flower delivery for your friend or looking to surprise your partner with their birth month flower, you can’t go wrong by increasing your floral knowledge.
Take a step back and learn February birth flowers or bounce ahead to the birth flowers of May. And when the time comes, turn to The Bouqs for all your flower delivery needs! We source our flowers from sustainable farms, pack them with care, and ship them out for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Beautiful flowers, simplified.
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