July’s Stunning Birth Flowers: The Larkspur And The Water Lilly

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If you were lucky enough to be born in the month of July, the larkspur and the water lily are your birth flowers. Both of these lovely flowers have distinctive traits. Water lilies are a special favorite of mine: I love to stop at my neighbor’s goldfish pond, where a gathering of colorful water lilies glide across the water throughout the day. I wanted to learn more about these memorable July blooms, so I did some research. Take a look at what I found!

The Tall, Regal Larkspur

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The larkspur, also known as a delphinium, can grow to be one to eight feet tall. A flower that loves the cool weather, it blooms through the summer and into the fall. The color of a larkspur carries a specific meaning. For example, a pink larkspur stands for capriciousness, while a purple or blue one denotes sweetness. A white larkspur stands for purity and joy. Though larkspurs are a beautiful addition to any garden, they are poisonous to both humans and pets.

Caring for Larkspurs

If you’d like to grow some larkspurs in your garden, it’s best to plant the seeds in well-drained soil about ten inches apart. Ideally, the seeds should be planted in October or November. Plant the seeds near the surface, and place a thin layer of dirt over them. The seeds need a lot of sunlight to develop a strong root system over the winter months. It’s a good idea to plant larkspur seeds near a fence so their long spires have support as they grow. Plus, the fence can shield your flowers from strong winds that can damage their petals. Larkspurs that are just starting to develop need adequate water, but avoid making the soil soggy. These annuals need partial or full sunlight to flourish in a container or garden.

The Lovely Water Lily

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Water lilies are sometimes referred to as the “queens of the water.” They are fragrant aquatic plants found in a variety of colors, including pink, white, orange, blue, and red. The water lily can grow to be six inches in height. Water lilies open their petals in the morning and close them in the afternoon. This hardy bloom symbolizes life and can survive in many different climates.

Care Tips for Water Lilies

Water lilies are low-maintenance flowers that bloom from May to the early days of September. If you want to add these flowers to a small fish pond, there are a few steps to follow. The first step is to get a water lily tuber and a container that is approximately 12 inches wide and six inches deep. Since a water lily grows horizontally in a container, it’s important to find one with adequate space. Next, fill the container with garden soil, stopping just two inches below the rim. Use your palms to pack down the soil to get rid of pockets of air. Dig a hole a couple of inches deep at one edge of the container and plant the tuber. Then, pour in more soil so it’s filled to the rim. Bury two aquatic planting tablets in the dirt next to the tuber to supply it with nutrients. After that, pour a thin layer of pea gravel on top of the soil to keep it in place. Lastly, lower the container into a small fish pond so the air bubbles release from the soil. The container should be completely immersed in the water. The leaves of the water lily tuber will float to the surface of your fish pond. Water lilies do well in a fish pond that is approximately two feet deep.

Let me know how your larkspur and water lilies are doing. I’d love to hear your stories!