February Flowers: Birth Flower, Blooms and Gift Ideas

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February is the shortest month of the year but one of the most romantic: it brings Valentine's Day, and by its end spring is in the air. February's birth flowers, the violet and the primrose, are modest yet deeply symbolic. Here's what they mean, what blooms in February and which bouquet to give someone born this month. Next month: March flowers.

More on this topic: birth month flowers, seasonal flowers by month, violets in bouquets, primrose.

February birth flowers: violet and primrose

• The violet is February's main flower. It stands for loyalty, modesty and secret love, a perfect fit for a romantic month. Violets rarely appear in bouquets, but as a potted gift they bring joy for months. How to pair them with other flowers is covered in violets in bouquets.
• The second flower is the primrose, one of the first to open after winter, meaning youth, hope and young love. Potted primroses are sold in February and March; see primrose care. Flowers for every other month are in our birth month flowers list.

Violet and primrose meanings

The violet symbolises modesty, loyalty and hidden feelings. Purple violets mean devotion, white ones purity and innocence, and blue ones sincerity. In the past violets were flowers of remembrance and constancy, given to long-standing loves. Today bouquets tend to use garden violets and violas, or people give a potted African violet — read more in our article on violets in bouquets.

The primrose is among the first spring flowers and stands for youth, hope and new beginnings. A pot of bright primroses is a living gift that says spring is on its way.

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What blooms in February

• In late February, gardens may show the first squills, crocuses, snowdrops and hellebores, while windowsills bloom with potted primroses, hyacinths and crocuses. At the florist's, February is peak season for roses and tulips: ordered for Valentine's Day, with tulips already arriving for March 8. More on the earliest blooms in spring primroses.

A bouquet for February birthdays

• February birthdays suit soft violet and lilac shades in honour of the violet, or the bright spring colours of the primrose. A lovely idea is a bouquet of roses together with a potted violet or primrose. If the birthday falls on Valentine's Day, see Valentine's Day flowers for romantic ideas.

February zodiac signs

February is shared by Aquarius (up to 18 February) and Pisces (from 19 February). Aquarius, associated with independence and originality, suits unusual bouquets — orchids, potted plants and bold colour combinations. Sensitive, dreamy Pisces suits soft lilac and blue arrangements of violets, hyacinths and tulips.

Caring for potted violets and primroses

• Both plants like bright light without direct sun and a cool spot. Water violets from below so the leaves stay dry, and primroses moderately without letting the soil dry out. After flowering, a primrose can be planted in the garden to bloom again next spring.

February birthday bouquets

Red roses, boxed arrangements and potted plants delivered across Kyiv.

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See red roses and potted plants.

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FAQ

What is February's birth flower?

The violet and the primrose.

What does a violet mean?

Loyalty, modesty and secret love.

What blooms in February?

Snowdrops, crocuses and squills outdoors; primroses and hyacinths in pots.

What bouquet suits a February birthday?

Roses with a potted violet or primrose, or a bouquet in purple tones.

What does the violet mean?

Modesty, loyalty and hidden feelings. Purple means devotion, white purity and blue sincerity.

Which zodiac signs fall in February?

Aquarius up to 18 February and Pisces from 19 February.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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