The flowers of August are gladiolas and poppies

Flowers have meaning and can “speak” for us when words are hard to find. These classic and colorful blooms are a symbol of summer.

Gladiolas reflect honor and remembrance. Because of the sword-like shape of the foliage, they are considered to be the flower of gladiators. This stately flower grows like weeds. Literally.

They can pop up in your yard and you will wonder where they came from. I have a stunning pink and white gladiola that blooms each summer on the edge of my garden. I didn’t plant it, I just assume it was a gift from Mother Nature. The spire of petals comes in nearly every color imaginable—in both solid and multicolor forms.

The petals, which are situated on one side of the long stem, can be frilly or plain. Their size can vary from under three inches to over five inches. One thing to watch out for is that the stem can fall to the ground as the petals become heavy.

If you want an arrangement, it’s best to keep an eye out for this before the stem hits the ground. To send a message, red petals mean love and passion, pink says femininity and motherly love, yellow indicates cheerfulness, and purple sends a message of charm and mysteriousness.

Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies love this pretty flower as it is perfectly shaped for them to find nourishment.

Poppies are one of the most widely used symbolic flowers around the world. From death to cheerfulness to extravagance to sleep, this unpretentious flower holds many different meanings. The large, colorful, cup-shaped flowers have played a role in religion, mythology, politics, and medicine. The color of the petals dictates its meaning.

Red is linked to death and the remembrance of World War I and II. White is used for funerals and sleep. Pink, purple, and blue poppies reflect imagination and success. Some believe that poppies deliver messages in dreams. The resilient poppy, which can flourish in harsh conditions, is frequently found growing along roadsides. Poppies love the sunshine and prefer loose, dry soil. Many varieties have medicinal and edible qualities.

The type of poppy that is used to produce morphine and other drugs has influenced politics and even armed conflicts. Some varieties are used for tea, spices, and cosmetics.

Songbirds, butterflies, and bees are all attracted to poppies. Many packaged bird seeds contain a portion of poppy seeds. The seeds that remain on the stem of a poppy after blooming will feed birds well into the fall and winter seasons.