March’s birth flowers are the daffodil and jonquil. Daffodils symbolize new beginnings, creativity, and inner reflection, while jonquils represent desire, friendship, and luck. Both flowers are part of the Narcissus genus and are known for their vibrant yellow blooms and fragrant scent. These flowers are perfect for March birthdays and signify warmth, positivity, and renewal.
Jump To a Section Below
What is the March Birth Flower?
Those born in the month of March have the honour of calling the daffodil and the jonquil their birth flowers. Although the plants are from the same family, and are thus very similar, you can tell the difference between them by examining the leaves. Daffodils sport slim, sword-tipped foliage and jonquils have slender leaves with rounded tips.
They are of the genus Narcissus and there are over 50 of this species. Narcissus jonquilla is also one of these so when in doubt, referring to both daffodils and jonquils as narcissus is correct!
Daffodil
We don’t know exactly where the name “Narcissus” originated, but it’s linked to the Greek word for intoxicated. The English “daffodil” may derive from “asphodel”, a plant with which it was frequently compared.
What is the Meaning of Daffodil?
The daffodil symbolises new beginnings, rebirth, and the arrival of spring thanks to it being one of the first perennials to blossom after the winter frost. And, along with creativity and renewal, it has also come to represent forgiveness, inspiration, and memory. Daffodils are also representative of inner reflection and an awareness of oneself.
Daffodils are attached to the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus, the young man bearing the name who fell in love with his own reflection. Find out more about this legendary tale in our article on daffodil meanings & symbolism.
Interesting Facts
Ancient Romans prized daffodils for their sap, believing that it had curative properties. As much as the Romans appreciated them, however, they dropped off the map for several hundred years after this heyday. They re-emerged in the 1600s when Britons introduced them to the garden.
What Do Daffodils Say About March Babies?
Because the daffodil symbolises forgiveness, honesty, love, and trust, people born in the month of March are some of the most amiable you’ll run into! Their easy-going natures are like a ray of sunshine into the lives of those around them, much like the flower that represents their month.
Tips For Buying Daffodils
Get your daffodil shopping done as early in the day, and week, as you can. This way you can access the freshest flowers and enjoy a range of choice. Avoid supermarkets if you can, opting instead for your local florist or farmer’s market.
Better yet, why not grow daffodils in your garden? Learn everything there is to know about how to plant daffodils, from choosing your bulbs to where you should plant them.
Jonquils
The name “jonquil” derives from the Spanish “jonquillo”. The latter is a type of rush and the word refers to the bulb’s rush-like leaves.
Each jonquil stem bears between two and six small bright yellow blossoms. The plant’s cup is very small, usually only about a quarter as long as the flowers’ petals. These sweet-scented flowers are the most fragrant of all the Narcissus and many scented hybrids trace their fragrance back to them.
What is the Meaning of Jonquils?
Jonquils have many meanings, and you can use any combination of these when presenting them to someone you care about!
For the Greeks they sometimes express sorrow and sympathy, so you could use them in a bouquet for someone who’s recently suffered a loss or undergone some trauma. In China, jonquils are symbolic of luck in the New Year and, for the March baby in your life, they symbolise domestic bliss and friendship.
Interesting Facts
Jonquils are native to Portugal, Spain and the greater Mediterranean area but are now found almost everywhere. They’ve been naturalised in the Southern regions of the United States and Tennessee Williams, the great American playwright, used them frequently as symbols in his work to indicate delicacy and nostalgia.
Roman mythology tells us that Pluto, the god of the underworld, kidnapped Persephone, who eventually became his queen, while she was picking lilies. In her fright at the ambush, she dropped her blooms, and they became jonquils when they hit the ground.
What Do Jonquils Say About March Babies?
As the sweetest smelling blossoms of the Narcissus, March babies have a great temperament and will do anything for their friends and families.
Tips for Buying Jonquils
Feel the undersides of the petals, sliding your fingers gently from the stems to the tips of each corolla segment. They should feel firm, and if you can hear a faint rustling then you know that they’re still fresh.
Buying Flowers For A March Birthday
Over and above being a celebratory blossom, daffodils symbolise a love that cannot be rivalled or imitated. This makes it the ideal gift for an anniversary or an occasion that’s equally special. In fact, daffodils are the traditional 10th wedding anniversary flower, but they are a wonderful gift for any other year too. They are thought to be symbolic of bringing “joy forever”, as the poet Keats once said about the blooms.
Because jonquils represent both desire and friendship, they’re a lovely addition to any bouquet you’re making for someone you care about!
For Your Mom Or Dad
Daffodils tell the recipient that they’re an angel, so they’re perfect as an out-of-the-blue present for your parents. Be sure to give more than one, however. A single blossom is bad luck, but a bouquet will bring good fortune.
For Your Partner
If you’re interested in someone romantically but aren’t sure if they feel the same way, you could use a bunch of jonquils to indicate your desire and your hope that they feel the same way.
For Your Grandparents
The elegance and simplicity of the jonquil make it an ideal choice for a gift for your grandparents. Their sweet scent will tell these family members exactly how you see them.
For A Friend Or Colleague
A lively bouquet of daffodils is a great gift for a friend or co-worker who has just changed careers, started their own business, or recently gotten married because they represent new beginnings.
A Wonderful Way To Send A Message
The stories, symbols, and meaning behind the March birth flowers can add a new depth to giving them as a gift. And, in their similarity and difference alike, daffodils and jonquils will not only be visually beautiful and smell incredible, but they’ll also let you say what you want to say in a really innovative, thoughtful way.
Lily’s love for flowers and plants was nurtured in her grandmother’s vibrant garden. Over the years, this affection blossomed into a full-fledged passion for horticulture.
With formal training in botany and countless hours in her own backyard oasis, Lily has cultivated a deep understanding of plant care and garden design.