Larkspur- or Delphinium, interchangeably- is July’s flower. Larkspurs signify the strong bond of love, an open heart & a celebration of positivity. . . all feelings well suited to the hot, happy days of summer. Larkspurs grow in the Northern Hemisphere as well as in the high mountains of tropical Africa. A precursor to the name “Larkspur” arose in Shakespeare’s time when they were referred to as “Lark’s Claw” because of the shape of the individual blossoms. As well as being an ancient source for blue dye, Larkspurs were thought to have some magical powers; used to repel scorpions & snakes, sprinkled in bath water to deter ghosts & placed in stables to keep witches from casting spells on animals!

“Floriography”: the language of flowers

Thousands of years of folklore, mythology & religious tradition have contributed to the meanings we ascribe to flowers today. Floriography peaked in popularity during the Victorian era when, armed with floral dictionaries, gentlemen would send cryptic messages to ladies with specific nosegays or tussie mussies called “talking bouquets”. 

Still today we have a tradition of birth month flowers, the meanings of which are rooted in floriography. Similar to zodiac signs or birthstones, it is believed you inherit the characteristics of the flower assigned to your birth month.