Getting into Gardening

May is in full swing and our gardens are getting ready to burst forth with bountiful treasures of all sorts. May is also a month full of flowers of all types since it bridges the gap between spring and summer in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere, but not all of the flowers that bloom during this time are considered a birthday flower for May. If you’re celebrating your birthday this month or have a friend or family member that is preparing to turn another year older, find out which May flower is the perfect gift for recognizing the milestone. In May the birth flowers are the Lily of the Valley and the Hawthorn Blossom.

Lilies-of-the-Valley, Convallaria liliaceae, with its tongueshaped leaves, dainty white bellshaped blossoms that adorn it are the primary birth flower. These plants bloom from late spring to early fall in zones 3-7, and prefer cool weather, part sun to full shade, and are thus often planted around the base of trees. Though extremely difficult to grow here in San Marcos, with a great deal of care and a bit of help from Mother Nature it can be accomplished. Lilies-of-the-Valley naturalize quickly and can be separated for propagation.

People born this month are well-represented with a plant that signifies happiness, purity, humility, and renewal. This special flower has even been used to describe Jesus Christ or Mother Mary’s tears. One classic legend says that the lily-of-the-valley was the materialization of Eve’s tears when she was evicted from the Garden of Eden. Another old tale from Sussex, England has it that St. Leonard bravely fought a fierce dragon for many hours. Wherever the warrior’s blood fell, there grew a lily-of-the-valley to commemorate the noble battle. Today, in St. Leonard’s Forest, these plants are said to grow in droves and droves.

It was first chosen by the Victorians to represent the month because they appreciated its delicate scent and curving stems and associated it with vitality and peace. People born in May are considered to be humble and virtuous, and the white bell-shaped flowers of this plant send that message loud and clear to anyone viewing the blooms. Since this flower doesn’t emerge from the ground until all the threats of frost and snow are over, it’s also considered a sign that happiness is here to stay instead of remaining just a fleeting glimpse of joy in the distance. Watch out when keeping lily of the valley plants or blooms in the home because they’re toxic to both pets and humans.

This plant has world-wide influence. Native to mild Eurasian zones, it was first officially cultivated in 1420. It is the national flower of Finland and is seen in Lunner, Norway’s coat of arms. May Day in America is France’s day to give “muguets,” small bouquets of lilies-of-the-valley, to friends and loved ones to wish them good luck and happiness.

Delicate blossoms are also used in pressed floral arrangements.

The lily-of-the-valley is often used in bridal bouquets because of their perfume scent and have come to be used to tell someone: “You complete me.” This plant has been used for matters of the heart – figuratively and literally. While it was administered medicinally for cardiac problems for generations, we now know that this plant contains toxins that should not be ingested.

Aside from the lily of the valley, which is not a true lily, genuine lilies are also considered a symbol of May births. Stargazer lilies are especially popular for giving as gifts to early summer birthday celebrations because they tend to bloom at their best around that time of year. While Stargazers are popular for their explosive and eye-catching combinations of many colors, simple white or yellow lilies are also popular because these two colors are tied to May for purity and the return of warmth and happiness after a long winter. Make sure that you’re buying true lilies and not daylilies when shopping for a birthday bouquet for this time of year. While daylilies also bloom in May, they’re not specifically associated with the month as a birth flower.

May’s secondary birth flower is Hawthorn, specifically the Hawthorn Tree’s Blossoms which have been commonly associated with birthdays in the month of May for over 1000 years. It is also the state flower of Missouri. Hundreds of species of Hawthorn exist. State lawmakers did not single out a specific Hawthorn when naming it as the Missouri state flower, providing residents with no guidance about which plant’s bloom to call their own. The small tree grows well in Missouri’s climate, lining streets and yards across the state. It can grow here too as it will do well in zones 3-9.

Each spring, Hawthorn trees produce pretty white blossoms that are made up of five petals, they bear greenish-yellow stamens, and appear in globe-like clusters over the Hawthorn tree. Rather similar to both the cherry blossom and the dogwood flower in how they look, this tree’s blossom is hard to find as a bouquet in floral shops but easy to grow on a small hawthorn shrub or tree. The blossom is charming and cheerful, two qualities commonly associated with people born in May. After the flowers drop, small red fruits called haws develop and the Hawthorn can be absolutely covered in blossoms in a good year. Their numbers help to attract the pollinators needed to produce its valuable fruit. Hawthorn fruit resembles an apple yet is less than an inch across. It is a favorite source of nutrition for wildlife and can be used to make jams and jellies. Hawthorn fruits are also used in some herbal medicines. This also demonstrates the gratitude and caring nature of people who share this unusual birth flower.

In addition to its fruit, the tree on which the Missouri state flower grows is valued by wildlife for its ability to provide shelter. It grows quite thick and can reach heights of up to 25 feet. Such dense proportions make it an ideal home for numerous birds and mammals.

Britain’s most famous hawthorn is the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury. Legend tells of how Joseph of Arimathea, the uncle of the Virgin Mary, arrived at a hill overlooking Glastonbury Tor with a few disciples and two sacred vessels containing the blood and sweat of Jesus. Where he thrust his staff into the ground it sprouted and grew into a thorn tree. Though the original is obviously not there any more, one of its supposed descendants does still stand on the hill, and other offspring grown from cuttings and perpetuated over the centuries can be found around Glastonbury and indeed further afield in England. This particular hawthorn blooms twice a year, once in May and again around Christmas. A sprig of one of these Glastonbury thorns from outside St Johns Church is traditionally sent to the Queen, who is said to decorate her breakfast table with it on Christmas morning.

These two flowers are the traditional birth flowers of May but, of course, you’re welcome to choose any type of May blooming flower you prefer to represent your birthday based on its symbolism. Some common flowers that pop up in May include:

• Azaleas, which represent femininity and a gentle caring nature.

• Rhododendrons, which remind us to watch out and take care to understand our environment.

• Tulips, which bring us cheerfulness and long lasting happiness.

• Amaryllis, which tell us that nothing lasts forever and we should cherish every moment.

• Clematis, which are a flower of ingenuity, genius, and a clever mind.

• Cornflower, which represent being happy with what you have.

• Dahlia, which bring an air of mystery and grace to the surroundings.