September Birth Flowers: Aster & Morning Glory Meanings for a UK Birthday

September birth flowers: purple asters and blue morning glory

As summer slips into autumn, September offers two charming birth flowers. Its primary bloom is the aster, a star-shaped, daisy-like flower that brings late colour to British borders just as other plants fade, while its companion is the morning glory, a climbing bloom that unfurls with the dawn and closes by afternoon. One stands for wisdom and love, the other for affection and the fleeting beauty of a single day. Below we explore what each September birth flower means, where its symbolism comes from, and why they belong to the month.

Which Flower Represents September?

September is represented by the aster as its main birth flower, with the morning glory as a much-loved second. Asters are a familiar sight in British gardens in early autumn, often called Michaelmas daisies for their flowering around Michaelmas at the end of the month.

The Aster: September's Flower of Wisdom

With its delicate, star-like petals, the aster symbolises wisdom, love and faith. Its name comes from the Greek word for "star", and its late flowering brings a welcome burst of colour as the days begin to shorten.

Where the Aster Comes From

Asters have been grown and admired across Europe for centuries, valued for extending garden colour into autumn. In Britain their late bloom around Michaelmas earned them the affectionate name Michaelmas daisy.

The Morning Glory: September's Fleeting Bloom

The morning glory, with its trumpet-shaped flowers that open at dawn and fade by afternoon, symbolises affection, and the poignant, fleeting nature of love and time. Its climbing habit and vivid colour make it a cheerful late-summer sight.

Aster and Morning Glory Folklore

Asters were once burned to ward off misfortune and were associated in folklore with enchantment and protection, while the morning glory's brief daily bloom made it a gentle emblem of mortality, affection and the value of each passing day.

What Do September's Birth Flowers Symbolise?

Together the two flowers balance depth and tenderness. The aster speaks to wisdom, faith and enduring love, while the morning glory speaks to affection and the fleeting beauty of the moment. For a September birthday, the pairing suggests someone thoughtful and warm, celebrated as the seasons turn.

Colour Meanings

September's flowers carry meanings across their shades:

Purple asters represent wisdom and royalty.
Pink asters suggest love and sensitivity.
Blue morning glory conveys trust and calm.
Pink morning glory hints at affection and gentle romance.

History and Cultural Significance

The aster has long been treasured in British gardens for its autumn colour and its Michaelmas associations, while the morning glory has been admired across cultures as a symbol of affection and the fleeting passage of time.

Why Are These Flowers Tied to September?

The link is seasonal. Asters bloom across British gardens in early autumn, and morning glories flower into September, both carrying the reflective, transitional mood of the month.

Celebrating a September Birthday

A thoughtful way to mark a September birthday is with personalised jewellery inspired by these blooms or set with the month's sapphire birthstone, a keepsake that lasts far longer than any bouquet. You can also explore the full birth flowers by month guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official birth flower for September?

The aster is September's primary birth flower, with the morning glory recognised as a second.

Does September have two birth flowers?

Yes. The aster is the traditional main flower, while the morning glory is a widely accepted alternative.

What does the September aster symbolise?

Wisdom, love and faith.

What does the morning glory symbolise?

Affection and the fleeting beauty of a single day.

Why is the aster associated with September?

Because it blooms across British gardens in early autumn, often around Michaelmas, giving it the name Michaelmas daisy.

Are there other flowers linked to September?

The aster and morning glory are the two most recognised for the month.

Have a Question?

What is the birth flower for September?

September has two birth flowers: the aster and the morning glory. The aster is the primary birth flower, symbolizing wisdom, faith, and enduring love, while the morning glory is the secondary birth flower, representing affection and the fleeting beauty of life. Together they reflect the transition from summer to autumn that defines the month.

What does the aster flower symbolize?

The aster symbolizes wisdom, faith, valor, and enduring love. Its star-shaped blooms, which inspired its name from the Greek word for star, are also associated with patience, remembrance, and protection. Because the aster blooms late into autumn when most flowers have faded, it is seen as a symbol of steadfast devotion and enduring beauty.

What does the morning glory flower mean as a September birth flower?

The morning glory symbolizes affection, love, and the fleeting nature of life. Each morning glory bloom opens at dawn and closes by afternoon, lasting only a single day, which gives the flower its meaning of cherishing precious moments and appreciating the beauty of the present. As a September birth flower, it complements the aster by balancing enduring love with mindfulness of time.