If you've ever wondered about the birthday flowers for September, the answer comes in two parts: the aster and the morning glory. Like several other months, September carries a pair of birthday flowers rather than just one, and each brings its own history, symbolism, and personality to the table. As a Florida-based florist, we get asked often about what the birthday flower for September is and how these blooms hold up in our warm, humid climate, so this guide covers the meaning, the history, and what to know if you're growing or gifting them here in Florida.
What Is the Birthday Flower for September?
If you’re celebrating a September birthday, you actually get two birthday flowers to choose from: the aster and the morning glory. The aster is the primary bloom of the month—a sweet, daisy-like flower named after the Greek word for "star". With its delicate petals fanning out from a bright central disc, it brings a classic, starry elegance to early fall arrangements. The morning glory, September’s secondary bloom, is a charming, trumpet-shaped flower that grows on fast-climbing vines. True to its name, each bloom opens wide at sunrise to welcome the dawn and gently closes by late afternoon.
Together, they capture the magic of late summer shifting into autumn. The aster brings enduring beauty, while the morning glory reminds us to appreciate brief, quiet moments. Whether you lean toward the steady charm of the aster or the poetic nature of the morning glory, both make wonderful, thoughtful floral choices.
Why is the Aster a September Birth Flower?
Meaning and Symbolism
The word "aster" comes from the Greek word for "star," a direct reference to the flower's star-shaped bloom. That celestial association carries through to its symbolism: asters represent love, wisdom, faith, and patience, along with a long-standing connection to friendship and purity.
Colour adds further nuance to the aster's meaning:
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Purple aster – royalty, dignity, and wisdom
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White aster – innocence and purity
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Red aster – devotion and passion
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Pink aster – love and kindness
Asters are also the traditional flower for 20th wedding anniversaries, making them a meaningful gift choice well beyond birthdays.
History of the Aster
According to Greek mythology, asters are said to have sprung from the tears of Astraea, the goddess of innocence and justice, as she wept over the state of the world. Ancient Greeks and Romans considered the flower sacred, and it was even burned as a way to ward off evil spirits and snakes.
The aster's cultural footprint extends well into modern history. It lent its name to Hungary's 1918 Aster Revolution, during which supporters wore the flower in their hats as a symbol of the movement, and it was ceremonially placed on French soldiers' graves during the Second World War. Painters including Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh featured asters in their work, and Thomas Jefferson is known to have grown China asters at Monticello.
What Does the Morning Glory Represent as the September Birthday Flower?
Meaning and Symbolism
The morning glory's symbolism is rooted in its own daily rhythm; its trumpet-shaped flowers unfurl each morning and close again by afternoon. This brief blooming cycle has made the morning glory a lasting symbol of love, affection, and the fleeting, precious nature of each day.
Interpretations of the morning glory can lean in two emotional directions: some traditions read it as a symbol of unrequited love, while others treat it as an emblem of enduring, undying affection. Either way, its core message is the same: appreciate what's in front of you before it's gone.
Colour meaning for morning glory:
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Blue – enduring love, power
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Purple – grace, hopefulness
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Pink – gratitude, energy
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Red – passion, strength
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White – purity, innocence
History of the Morning Glory
Morning glories are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and have been cultivated for centuries, admired both for their beauty and, in some species, their traditional medicinal uses. The plant's large, heart-shaped leaves resemble those of the sweet potato, a close botanical relative.
The flower's name has even found its way onto the map; Yellowstone National Park's Morning Glory Pool was named in the 1880s for its visual resemblance to the bloom. Georgia O'Keeffe, one of the most influential American modern artists, also famously painted the flower in her 1938 piece featuring blue morning glories.
Can Aster and Morning Glory Be Combined in One Bouquet?
Yes, asters and morning glories can be combined to create a delicate, garden-inspired bouquet. Asters provide clusters of small, daisy-like flowers, while morning glory contributes trumpet-shaped blooms and flowing vines. Together, they can produce a soft, natural arrangement with contrasting shapes, textures, and movement.
However, using fresh morning glory in a delivered bouquet presents a practical challenge. Individual morning glory flowers generally remain open for only one day and may close by the afternoon. This makes them less dependable than asters for an arrangement intended to remain fresh for several days. Certain cut aster varieties, by comparison, can have a vase life of approximately seven days when cared for properly.
For a bespoke Neroli Blume arrangement, asters can form the lasting foundation of the bouquet. Morning glory may be included when exceptionally fresh stems are available, and the arrangement is intended for an immediate celebration, event, or photoshoot. Its vines can add graceful movement, while the asters provide colour, fullness, and greater longevity.
When fresh morning glory is unavailable or unsuitable, a floral designer may select another seasonal flower or botanical element with a similar trumpet shape, soft texture, or trailing form. This preserves the visual character of the pairing without reducing the bouquet’s overall freshness.
Neroli Blume designs each arrangement according to seasonal availability, freshness, and aesthetic harmony rather than following a fixed floral recipe. This allows the symbolism and appearance of both September birth flowers to be represented in a polished, sculptural composition.
How to Care for Asters and Morning Glory in Florida
A Neroli Blume arrangement containing asters and morning glory may remain visually appealing for approximately five to seven days, depending on the room temperature, flower varieties, and daily care. Asters usually last longer, while individual morning glory blooms are naturally short-lived and may close or fade within one day. New buds may continue opening when suitable stems are available.
Step 1: Keep the Arrangement Indoors
Place the bouquet in a cool, air-conditioned room immediately after delivery. Keep it away from direct sunlight, warm windows, outdoor patios, kitchen appliances, and other sources of heat. Florida’s warm climate can cause delicate flowers to lose moisture quickly.
Step 2: Maintain Neroli Blume’s Original Design
Avoid separating, rotating, or repeatedly repositioning the stems. The flowers have already been arranged to balance the asters’ clustered texture with the soft, trailing movement of the morning glory.
Step 3: Check the Water Every Day
For a vase arrangement, ensure that the stem ends remain submerged in clean water. For flowers arranged in floral foam, slowly add water near the centre of the design each day without pouring directly over the blooms.
Step 4: Refresh the Water When Needed
Replace the vase water every two days or sooner if it becomes cloudy. When practical, clean the vase and trim a small amount from the stems before returning the arrangement to fresh water.
Step 5: Remove Faded Morning Glory Blooms
Morning glory flowers will usually fade before the asters. Carefully remove wilted or closed blooms without disturbing the rest of the arrangement. Continue hydrating the bouquet, as the asters may remain fresh for several additional days.
The early fading of morning glory is a natural characteristic of the flower and does not mean the entire Neroli Blume arrangement has reached the end of its vase life.
September birthdays offer a rich blend of tradition and colour, from the star-shaped, enduring aster to the delicate, vibrant morning glory. Understanding the history, symbolism, and local growing tips for these classic birth flowers helps you pick a gift that is both beautiful and meaningful. And remember, you aren't limited to traditional options, vibrant seasonal flowers like dahlias, sunflowers, and roses also make wonderful choices to celebrate September milestones.
Looking to surprise someone special with fresh, beautifully crafted floral arrangements? Rely on Neroliblume for reliable same-day flower delivery across Miami to make every birthday celebration unforgettable.
