July Flower of the Month Guide
July brings heat, long days, and big moments. It also brings two official birth blooms, which means you get two totally different styles to work with. This guide to the July flower of the month covers the bold, joyful larkspur and the calm, meaningful water lily.
Whether you are planning a birthday surprise, flowers for a wedding, or a corporate gesture, these stems give you strong symbolism and clear design direction. If you need flowers fast, start with our same-day flower delivery basics so you know what to expect when timing matters.
July’s two birth flowers: larkspur and water lily
July is one of the few months with two official birth flowers. Larkspur (often sold as delphinium in floral design) brings height and color. Water lilies bring quiet beauty and a clean, modern shape.
They also create two very different moods. Larkspur feels festive and airy. Water lilies feel still, polished, and intentional.
How to choose the right July flower
If you want a flower that fills a room and reads beautifully from across the space, larkspur is usually the answer. If you want a flower that feels like a small piece of art, water lilies can be the perfect detail.
Both can work for gifts and events. The best choice depends on the setting, your message, and how long you need the flowers to hold.
July flowers at a glance
Use this quick comparison to pick the bloom that matches your moment.
| Attribute | Larkspur (Delphinium) | Water Lily (Nymphaea) |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Joyful, light, celebratory | Serene, pure, reflective |
| Form | Tall spires with many florets | Round bloom with layered petals |
| Colors | Pinks, purples, blues, whites | Whites, pinks, yellows, blues |
| Best for | Centerpieces, arches, height, garden-style bouquets | Floating moments, modern bouquets, intimate focal points |
| Symbolism | Positivity, open heart, strong bonds | Purity, rebirth, majesty |
Larkspur meaning, story, and color symbolism
Larkspur is July’s “joy” flower. It is tall, bright, and full of motion. In a bouquet, it instantly adds height and a light, celebratory feel.
The name “larkspur” is linked to the shape of the flower, which can resemble a bird’s claw. The name Delphinium comes from the Greek word for dolphin, since the unopened bud was said to look like a dolphin’s nose.
What larkspur colors mean
Larkspur meaning changes based on color. That is part of what makes it so useful for custom gifting and event work. You can keep the message soft, romantic, or formal just by changing the shade.
- Pink larkspur: Affection, with a playful, changeable edge. Great for romantic palettes and birthday designs.
- White larkspur: Pure joy and a free-spirited feel. A strong fit for new beginnings and congratulations.
- Purple larkspur: First love and a gentle heart. Beautiful for anniversaries and intimate events.
- Blue larkspur: Dignity and grace. Ideal when you want a clean, respectful tone for clients or colleagues.
In Victorian flower traditions, larkspur was tied to an open heart and lightness. It shared love and attachment without feeling heavy.
Why larkspur works so well in arrangements
Larkspur carries a lot of feeling without trying too hard. Its structure also makes design easier. One stem can add height, movement, and color, which helps a bouquet feel finished.
For corporate moments, larkspur is also a smart way to send something that feels celebratory but still refined. If you are planning recognition gifts, our guide to employee recognition gift ideas has more ways to match flowers to the occasion.
Water lily meaning, history, and modern symbolism
The water lily is July’s calmer twin. It opens like a perfect rosette and floats with a kind of quiet confidence. Because it rises from deep water and blooms clean on the surface, it has long been tied to purity, renewal, and personal growth.
It is also a flower people remember. Even one bloom can feel special, especially in a simple bowl, fountain, or modern bouquet where it has room to stand on its own.
A sacred symbol in many cultures
Water lilies have been respected across cultures for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, the Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea caerulea) was linked to the sun god Ra and the cycle of life. In Buddhist and Hindu traditions, water lilies symbolize purity and spiritual awakening.
For more background on this symbolism, you can read about the deep spiritual roots of these July flowers.
The water lily’s rhythm of closing at night and reopening with the sun helped it become a symbol of renewal and rebirth.
From ancient meaning to fine art
The water lily also has a strong link to art. Claude Monet painted water lilies again and again, capturing reflections, light, and shadow on the water’s surface. That legacy still shapes how many people see the flower today.
In event design, using water lilies can feel like placing living art into the space. The effect is simple, but it never feels ordinary.
Design ideas for July flowers
Symbolism is a nice bonus. Design is what your guests will feel in the room. Larkspur and water lilies give you two different design directions, so you can match the flowers to the energy of the day.
Fiore Designs creates floral work for weddings and events across Los Angeles, and July blooms can fit anything from bright and celebratory to quiet and minimal.
Big impact design with larkspur
Larkspur’s best feature is height. It draws the eye up and makes arrangements feel taller and more dramatic, even when the recipe is simple.
- Ceremony arches and statement pieces: Grouped larkspur creates a lush look that still feels airy.
- Tall centerpieces: Great in rooms with higher ceilings, since the spires add scale without feeling bulky.
- Aisle clusters: Small groupings can create a meadow-like walkway and guide attention forward.
When you design with larkspur, treat it like structure. The line of the stem does the work, and the florets add softness.
Refined, modern moments with water lilies
Water lilies are not a “fill the room” flower. They shine in smaller, thoughtful placements. They work best where guests can see them close-up.
They also need the right setting. If the venue has a pool, fountain, or water feature, water lilies feel natural and intentional.
- Floating bowls for cocktail hour: A clean, modern look that feels calm and high-end.
- Small focal arrangements: Ideal for a welcome table or a quiet lounge corner.
- Modern bridal bouquet detail: One water lily can become the main statement, especially with minimal supporting stems.
If you are planning a larger build-out, our event floral design services page explains what full-service support can look like for scale, timing, and setup.
Sourcing and caring for July blooms
Summer flowers can be stunning, but warm days are not always easy on stems. Good sourcing helps, and good care helps even more. A few simple habits can keep your arrangement looking fresh longer.
If you want a quick refresher that works for most bouquets, start with our simple flower care tips.
How to care for larkspur at home
Larkspur can last more than a week in a vase when it is conditioned well. The goal is steady water uptake from bottom to top, since there are so many small florets along the stem.
- Recut stems right away: Trim at least one inch off the bottom. A fresh cut helps the stem drink.
- Use flower food: It keeps water cleaner and supports bloom life.
- Keep it cool: Avoid direct sun, heat, and ripening fruit, which can speed up aging.
If you want a more detailed step-by-step, read our guide on how to cut stems correctly.
With larkspur, clean water and a fresh cut matter. Those tiny florets need steady hydration, or the top blooms fade first.
How to handle water lilies
Water lilies are delicate and short-lived once cut. They can also close up at night. That is normal behavior, but it surprises people when they see it for the first time.
They need water right away and do best in floating designs. Their hollow stems and sensitivity make them tricky for standard vase arrangements. That is why they are most common in event work, where timing and setup can be controlled.
July flower of the month FAQs
These are the questions we hear most often when people are choosing July flowers for gifts, weddings, and events.
Are larkspur and delphinium the same flower?
They are closely related and the names are often used interchangeably. In floral work, the difference usually comes down to the type and the look you need.
- Larkspur often refers to annual varieties (Consolida). They can look softer and more airy.
- Delphinium often refers to perennial varieties. They tend to be fuller, taller, and more dramatic.
For design, we choose based on scale and the vibe of the event.
Can water lilies be included in a flower subscription?
Because they are so delicate and have a short cut life, water lilies are not a good match for recurring subscriptions. They need special handling and are best for a one-time moment.
If you want a modern, seasonal bouquet that holds up well, a Hand-tied bouquet is a strong option for weekly gifting, birthdays, or office delivery.
Is larkspur safe around pets?
No. All parts of the larkspur plant are toxic to pets and people if ingested. If you have pets or small children at home, place arrangements well out of reach.
If you want peace of mind, ask for a pet-safer recipe. There are many beautiful alternatives that still give height and color.
Which July flower is better for a birthday gift?
Larkspur is the classic choice when you want something happy, colorful, and clearly “birthday.” Water lilies feel more rare and artistic, and they are best when you can enjoy them right away.
Think about the person. Do they like bright and cheerful, or clean and modern? Both flowers can feel personal when the palette matches their style.
Bring July flowers into your next celebration
The July flower of the month gives you two moods in one. Larkspur brings height, color, and joy. Water lilies bring calm, meaning, and an artful finish.
If you want help choosing stems, colors, and scale for a gift, wedding, or event, we would love to design something that fits your moment. Reach out to wedding floral design for full wedding planning, or request a custom July design for a one-time order or event inquiry.
