June 25

Birth Flower

Agapanthus
African Lily Lily of the Nile

Scientific Name: Agapanthus praecox
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Flower Language

  • Beginning of love
  • Arrival of love
  • Sincere love
  • Love letter

Characteristics

Colors: Blue-purple

Description

Agapanthus is a bulbous plant native to South Africa that produces blue-purple flowers in radiating clusters from June to August. The scientific name combines the Greek words 'agape' (love) and 'anthos' (flower), meaning 'flower of love.' Also called African Lily in English. Flower stems grow 60-120cm tall with 20-100 small flowers clustered in spherical heads. Cold-hardy and can overwinter outdoors in Kanto region and westward Japan, commonly seen in gardens and parks. White-flowered and variegated leaf varieties also exist.

Trivia

  • A single stem can have over 100 small flowers
  • Decorative seed heads enjoyable after flowering
  • Sometimes called 'African Blue' in Britain
  • Flowers bloom sequentially from top to bottom for extended enjoyment

Uses

Ornamental
  • Summer garden color
  • Popular cut flower
  • Container gardening
  • Park landscaping
Medicinal
  • Used in traditional South African medicine

Caution: Medicinal use not recommended currently

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Flower arrangements
  • Dried flowers (seed heads)
  • Nectar source for bees

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Bulbs, Leaves

Symptoms: May cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms. Avoid large quantities

Billy Buttons
Drumsticks Woollyheads Golden Billy Buttons

Scientific Name: Pycnosorus globosus
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Knocking on the heart's door
  • Eternal happiness
  • Unique personality
  • Energetic

Characteristics

Colors: Yellow

Description

Craspedia is an annual in the Asteraceae family that produces yellow ball-shaped flowers on 60cm stems from early to mid-summer. The flowers are 2-3cm diameter spheres resembling ping-pong balls. Native to Australia, the English name 'Drumsticks' comes from their resemblance to drum mallets. Extremely long-lasting flowers that retain color well over time, making them very popular for dried flower arrangements. Relatively easy to cultivate and valued as cut flowers.

Trivia

  • Maintains beautiful color for 2-3 years when dried
  • Flowers are actually composite heads of many small flowers
  • Seeds have fluffy pappus for wind dispersal
  • Common roadside flower in Australia

Uses

Ornamental
  • Very popular cut flower
  • Staple for dried flowers
  • Flower arrangements
  • Natural gardens
Medicinal

Caution: No recorded medicinal use

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Craft materials
  • Pressed flowers
  • Floral design
  • Photography props

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported