September's Birth Month Flower: What It Says About You

September's Birth Month Flower: What It Means & What It Says About You

This post is part of a 12-month series exploring birth flowers. Start here for an introduction and for a full list of all months.

September means different things to different people. For some it’s the melancholy end to a summer of fun. For others its the beginning of a fiery and fabulous fall. It can mean back-to-school or apple picking season, and is host to some unique days and celebrations, including World Coconut Day and Grandparents Day. A full moon in September is called a Corn Moon, since it coincides with harvest.

It is one of the most popular months selected for weddings, and often the most popular month – edged out occasionally by August – for births. If you were born in September, your birth sign is either Virgo or Libra, your gemstone is the coveted sapphire, and your birth month flower is as bright and bold as the season it represents – that “star” of autumn gardens, the Aster.

September Birth Month Flower: Aster

The aster gets its name from an ancient Greek word for star, and this late-summer bloomer lives up to its reputation. Its delicate star-shaped petals bloom in hues of white pink, red, yellow and a striking deep purple, adding a burst of color to your otherwise fading summer garden.

Asters have long been symbols of love and passion, wisdom and patience. Like other flowers, different colors have their own associations – purple for royalty, white for innocence, and pink for kindness.

If you claim the aster as your birth flower, you’re all about spreading the love. You might be said to wear your heart on your sleeve, and your patience and grace make you an excellent listener. You’re a caring and giving person who has a lot of love to give and your affectionate nature makes you – like the flower that represents you – the star of any gathering.

You’re easy to get along with and your wise ways make you sought after for advice. Combine that with your loyalty and faithfulness and anyone would be lucky to grow alongside you in the garden of life!

Aster Through History

The aster is such a beloved wildflower that it has made appearances everywhere from the gardens of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate to the paintings of Monet and Van Gogh. It’s even played a role in historical events. A revolution in Hungary was dubbed the Aster Revolution, during which demonstrators wore these symbolic flowers in their hats.

They were considered sacred by ancient Greek and Roman cultures, where burning the leaves was said to ward off evil spirits. In one Greek myth, asters were born from the tears of the celestial goddess Astraea who cried upon learning that there were no stars on earth.

Asters have, throughout history, been used to treat everything from headaches and hangovers to epilepsy and colds. Their closed petals are believed to predict oncoming rain. They were believed to drive away snakes, used to honor fallen soldiers, and used in Germany to predict whether one’s love would be returned – a real-world “loves-me loves-me-not” game!

purple aster

Want To Plant Them?

Asters are easy to grow, and in addition to gracing your garden with their cheerful colors, they’ll attract plenty of butterflies. They can grow from six inches all the way up to eight feet tall! There are so many species of aster that you’re bound to find one that works in your environment. Some thrive in sun, others prefer partial shade. Some grow in rich, loamy soil and others can tolerate poor soil.

They grow just as well in containers as in the ground and can be grown from seed, root, or propagated by cutting. As an added bonus, they can even withstand near-freezing nighttime temperatures, and they’re deer resistant, too.

Most types will benefit from well-drained soil. Water them close to the ground instead of showering their leaves if you want to avoid the possibility of mildew. Otherwise, simply deadhead old flowers so new ones can continue to bloom, and sit back and enjoy this delightful and low-maintenance garden addition.

Bonus Flower: Morning Glory

If aster doesn’t get you all starry-eyed but you still love the symbolism, you’re in luck. September has a second birth month flower that holds similar sentiments in an entirely different bloom – the Morning Glory.

This delicate flower has slender stems, heart-shaped leaves, and a trumpet-like flower. They are sweetly fragrant, and bloom in just as many lovely colors, from pink and magenta to purple, blue and white. They distinguish themselves from aster in their growth habits – morning glories are twining plants, and a perfect match for archways, pergolas or gazebos. And each flower only lasts for a single day! But they are so prolific that they will continue to beautify whatever structure they adorn long into the fall season.

Like asters, morning glories also symbolize love, loyalty, and affection, and if you choose this sweet bloom as your birth month flower you’re said to be passionate, kind, and free-spirited. You are a strong and gentle soul, able to take on life’s challenges with grace.

Did you see yourself reflected in either of these flowers? Would you love to see them brightening your autumn gardens? Reach out and schedule a consultation with us. We’d love to talk to you about creating an outdoor space that perfectly reflects your personality – whatever it is!