April Birth Flower - Daisy & Sweet Pea
The cheerful, fragrant blooms symbolizing innocence, purity, and blissful pleasure
About April's Birth Flowers
April is blessed with two beautiful birth flowers: the cheerful Daisy with its bright white petals and sunny yellow center, and the delicate Sweet Pea with its ruffled, fragrant blooms in a variety of pastel colors.
Daisy (Bellis perennis) is a symbol of innocence and purity, with its simple yet perfect form of white ray petals surrounding a golden center. The name comes from "day's eye" because the flower opens at dawn and closes at dusk. Daisies are resilient perennials that bloom from spring through fall in many regions, bringing cheer to gardens and wildflower meadows alike.
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is known for its intensely fragrant, ruffled blooms that come in a rainbow of soft colors. These climbing annual vines were wildly popular during the Victorian and Edwardian eras for their beautiful flowers and captivating scent. In the language of flowers, sweet peas symbolize blissful pleasure and are associated with departures and thank-you messages.
Daisy & Sweet Pea Properties
Physical Properties
- Scientific Name: Daisy: Bellis perennis / Sweet Pea: Lathyrus odoratus
- Color: Daisy: White petals with yellow center / Sweet Pea: Various (pink, purple, blue, white)
- Bloom Season: Daisy: Spring to fall / Sweet Pea: Spring to early summer
- Growth Habit: Daisy: Low-growing perennial / Sweet Pea: Climbing annual vine
- Fragrance: Daisy: Mild, fresh / Sweet Pea: Sweet, intense perfume
Symbolic Meaning
- Innocence: Daisies symbolize purity and childlike innocence
- Purity: Both flowers represent purity in different ways
- New beginnings: Daisies represent the fresh start of spring
- True love: Daisies have long been used in love divination ("loves me, loves me not")
- Blissful pleasure: Sweet peas symbolize delicate, ephemeral joy
- Gratitude: Sweet peas are traditionally given as thank-you gifts
Growing Conditions
- Daisy Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Daisy Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile soil
- Daisy Zone: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8
- Sweet Pea Light: Full sun to light shade
- Sweet Pea Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with neutral to alkaline pH
- Sweet Pea Zone: Best grown as annuals in most zones
Care & Maintenance
- Daisy: Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil
- Daisy: Water regularly, keeping soil evenly moist
- Daisy: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering
- Sweet Pea: Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil
- Sweet Pea: Provide support for climbing varieties
- Sweet Pea: Water deeply and regularly, especially during flowering
The Rich History of April's Birth Flowers
Daisies have been symbols of innocence and purity since ancient times. The name "daisy" comes from the Old English phrase "day's eye," as the flower opens at dawn and closes at dusk. This behavior, known as nyctinasty, made the daisy a symbol of transformation and awakening in many cultures.
In Norse mythology, the daisy was sacred to Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. In medieval times, knights would wear daisies as a symbol of fidelity and love during tournaments. The practice of plucking daisy petals while reciting "loves me, loves me not" began in France in the late Middle Ages and spread throughout Europe as a form of romantic divination.
Sweet peas have a more recent history, having been discovered in Sicily in the late 17th century by a Franciscan monk named Father Cupani, who sent seeds to England. The flower was then developed and popularized by Henry Eckford, a Scottish nurseryman, in the late 19th century. He created many of the sweet pea varieties we know today, transforming the original small, unimpressive purple flower into the diverse, colorful, and fragrant blooms we cherish.
During the Victorian era, sweet peas became extremely popular in gardens and as cut flowers. They were associated with blissful pleasure and were often included in bridal bouquets. In the language of flowers, sweet peas symbolize departure or goodbye, as well as gratitude for a lovely time. This made them popular as parting gifts or thank-you bouquets. The early 20th century saw the height of "sweet pea mania" in England, with new varieties selling for extraordinary sums and annual sweet pea shows drawing huge crowds.
Daisy & Sweet Pea Varieties
Both Daisy and Sweet Pea come in several varieties, each with its own unique characteristics:
Bellis perennis (English Daisy)
The classic daisy with white petals and a yellow center. This low-growing perennial forms neat rosettes and blooms profusely in spring and early summer.
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Larger than English daisies, with pure white petals and golden centers. These perennials bloom in summer and make excellent cut flowers.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
Not a true daisy but often included in the daisy family. These large, colorful flowers come in vibrant shades of orange, red, pink, and yellow and are popular in floral arrangements.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Spencer' (Spencer Sweet Peas)
Known for their large, wavy flowers and long stems, making them ideal for cutting. They come in a wide range of colors and have a strong, sweet fragrance.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Grandiflora' (Old-fashioned Sweet Peas)
These heirloom varieties have smaller flowers than modern types but often have a more intense fragrance. They tend to be more heat-tolerant and bloom over a longer period.
Lathyrus odoratus 'Dwarf' (Cupid Sweet Peas)
Compact plants that grow only 6-8 inches tall, making them suitable for containers and hanging baskets. They produce full-sized flowers with the same sweet fragrance as climbing varieties.
Fascinating Facts About April's Birth Flowers
Fact #1
Daisies are actually not a single flower but a composite of two different types of flowers: the white petals (ray florets) and the yellow center (disc florets).
Fact #2
Daisies are edible and have been used in salads, soups, and teas. The young leaves are particularly nutritious and contain significant amounts of vitamin C.
Fact #3
Sweet peas, despite their name and appealing fragrance, are NOT edible and are actually toxic if consumed in large quantities.
Fact #4
Sweet peas were extremely popular during the Edwardian era in England, with new varieties selling for the equivalent of thousands of dollars in today's money.
Fact #5
The sweet pea is the birth flower for April but is also the floral emblem of the Isle of Wight in the UK.
Fact #6
In the Victorian language of flowers, daisies represented innocence and loyal love, while sweet peas symbolized delicate pleasure and departure.
Uses of April's Birth Flowers
Both Daisy and Sweet Pea have been used in various ways throughout history, from decorative to medicinal purposes:
Daisy Uses
- Ornamental: Daisies are popular garden plants and are often included in wildflower meadows and naturalistic plantings. They're also used in cottage gardens and as border plants.
- Culinary: Daisy leaves and flowers are edible and can be used in salads, soups, and sandwiches. The young leaves are particularly nutritious, containing significant amounts of vitamin C.
- Medicinal: In traditional medicine, daisies have been used to treat coughs, bronchitis, inflammation, and digestive disorders. They contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and mild astringent properties.
- Cosmetic: Daisy extract is used in skincare products for its skin-lightening properties and ability to reduce hyperpigmentation. It's often included in products marketed for brightening the complexion.
Sweet Pea Uses
- Ornamental: Sweet peas are primarily grown for their beautiful, fragrant flowers. They're popular in cutting gardens, as they make excellent long-lasting cut flowers that bring their sweet scent indoors.
- Fragrance: The distinctive scent of sweet peas is used in perfumery and home fragrance products. The actual flowers don't yield essential oil, so sweet pea fragrances are typically created using other ingredients to mimic their scent.
- Symbolic: Sweet peas are often included in bouquets and floral arrangements to convey gratitude, farewell, or to mark the beginning of spring. They're also popular in wedding bouquets for their delicate appearance and lovely fragrance.
- Note of Caution: Unlike edible garden peas, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are NOT edible and contain compounds that can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. They should be grown purely for ornamental purposes.
Cultural Significance
- The daisy has been used in love divination for centuries with the familiar "loves me, loves me not" petal-plucking ritual.
- In Celtic mythology, daisies were believed to be the spirits of children who died at birth.
- Sweet peas were extremely fashionable during the Edwardian era in England, with new varieties being developed and sold for extraordinary prices.
- The National Sweet Pea Society was founded in England in 1900 and still holds annual shows celebrating these beloved flowers.
- In the Victorian language of flowers, daisies represented innocence and loyal love, while sweet peas symbolized delicate pleasure and departure.
Connection to April's Birthstone
April's birth flowers share interesting connections with its birthstone, the diamond:
April's birth flower (Daisy) and birthstone (Diamond) both represent purity and innocence, reflecting the fresh beginnings of spring.
The sweet pea's delicate beauty and variety of colors complement the diamond's clarity and brilliance.
Both April's birth flowers and birthstone symbolize enduring love and commitment.
Just as diamonds are formed under pressure deep within the earth, sweet peas need to be planted deep in the soil to thrive, symbolizing how beauty can emerge from challenging conditions.
Free Birthstone Chart
Looking for a quick reference to all birthstones? Download our free printable birthstone chart featuring all 12 months and their corresponding gemstones.
Get Your Free Birthstone Chart