Looking for the perfect decoration flowers for August? The resilient poppy and majestic gladiolus are the official birth flowers of the month. They offer endless possibilities for creating memorable floral arrangements and meaningful gifts. Beyond their beauty, do you know the symbolism they carry?
With over 20 years of experience crafting artificial flowers, we’ve learned that the most impactful decorations are those with a deeper meaning. This guide reveals the hidden language of August’s birth flowers. And we will show you how to leverage their unique symbolism to create memorable experiences for your decoration.
What Are the August Birth Flowers?
Let’s meet the two stars of August’s floral world: the delicate poppy and the striking gladiolus. Their value to home or commercial decoration goes far beyond simple aesthetics. Let’s break down why people use them everywhere, from impressive lobby displays to personalized birthday experiences.
Poppy
The poppy, with its delicate, papery petals and a vibrant color is a more understated but equally beautiful plant. The red poppy is the most famous for centuries in cultures around the world. These blooms also appear in a variety of other hues, each carrying its own unique charm.

Gladiolus
The gladiolus, sometimes called the “sword lily,” is a tall, striking flower. These impressive floral spikes come in various color, including pink, purple, yellow, orange, and white.
Pure white gladiolus looks great for sophisticated corporate spaces. Sunny yellow ones work magic in breakfast nooks. Deep purple arrangements are the ideal option for dramatic evening venues.
Here’s a quick comparison for planning purposes:
August Birth Flower | Typical Height | Color Range | Best Commercial Use |
Poppy | 12-36 inches | Red, Pink, Coral, White, Purple, Black | Intimate dining, Boutique indoor spaces, Memorial areas |
Gladiolus | 24-72 inches | White, Yellow, Pink, Red, Purple, Coral | Big lobbies, Exterior events, Corporate ceremonies |
What Do August Birth Flowers Symbolize?
The symbolism behind the August birth flowers is rich and varied. They reflect passion, resilience, and remembrance.
The Deeper Meaning of Poppies
Poppies traditionally represent remembrance, peace, and rest. It’s symbolism is deeply connected to its color. The classic red poppy is an enduring international symbol of remembrance. It is a powerful choice for meaningful gifts and memorial arrangements.
Poppies come in various colors with meanings such as:
- Red: Remembrance and honoring deceased soldiers
- White: Peace and non-violence
- Orange: Health and vitality
- Yellow: Happiness, positivity, and success
The general symbolism of the poppy plant also includes imagination and success, due to the opium poppy’s historical use. These profound meanings make poppies a thoughtful choice for many occasions.

Gladiolus – More Than Just Strength
The gladiolus gets its name from the Latin word “gladius,” meaning sword, which is why it is associated with the Roman gladiators. Its primary meanings are strength of character, integrity, faithfulness, and remembrance.
Infatuation is an interesting piece of gladiolus symbolism that works well for romantic venues. The flower’s dramatic appearance and bold colors have made it popular for anniversary celebrations and proposal events.
Different gladiolus colors carry specific meanings:
Pink: A mother’s love
Yellow: Friendship and joy
White: Innocence
Purple: Beauty and good fortune
Red: Passion and love

How to Use August Birth Flowers for Daily Use?
After working with thousands of venues over the years, we’ve seen some creative applications. Here are the approaches that consistently work.
Indoor Spaces That Create Connection
Poppies excel in intimate settings where you want warmth without overwhelming the space.
Several hotels use our coral poppy arrangements in their lobby seating areas. They found that the warm colors encourage guests to linger and use the hotel bar instead of heading out for drinks.
Size matters with indoor poppy displays. Too big, and they dominate conversations. Too small, and they disappear into the background. We’ve found that 18-24 inch arrangements hit the sweet spot for most restaurant tables and hotel common areas.
Gladiolus belongs in spaces where you want to make a statement. One trick we’ve learned: vary the heights within gladiolus displays. Mix stems of varying heights for natural-looking arrangements that photograph beautifully.

Outdoor Applications That Weather Everything
Gladiolus works differently in outdoor settings. The height advantage becomes even more important for visibility from street level. Shopping centers use our gladiolus displays as wayfinding tools. Restaurant patios present unique challenges for floral displays. Fresh flowers wilt in summer heat, freeze in unexpected cold snaps, and look terrible after rainstorms.
Imitation poppies solve all these problems while adding color outside. Weatherproof flowers maintain their color despite brutal desert sun. A pot of weatherproof artificial poppies can add a vibrant splash of color to patios or balconies. They can keep elegant all season long without watering.

Events That Generate Buzz
Corporate events benefit from intentional flower choices. Awards ceremonies with gladiolus symbolism feel more meaningful than generic floral arrangements. Retirement parties with poppy themes honor both service and hope for the future.
Anniversaries and product launches are also perfect occasions to use August birth flowers. Gladiolus arrangements can highlight strength and growth. They are ideal for celebrating company milestones. Poppies, with their vibrant petals are perfect for unveiling new ideas or innovations.
Why Choose Faux Flowers for August Birthdays?
After two decades in this business, we’ve seen every argument for and against artificial flowers. The economics and practicality have shifted decisively toward faux for commercial applications, especially for businesses that need consistent, reliable decoration.
Quality That Actually Fools People
The artificial flower industry transformed completely around 2018-2019. New manufacturing techniques using silk, latex, and advanced synthetic materials created flowers so realistic that customers routinely try to smell them.
At FeelReal, our silk poppies nail the texture that makes real ones so distinctive and natural. We’ve had restaurant servers ask if our poppy displays needed water. The secret involves layering different fabric weights and using specialized dyes that react to light like natural petals.

Weather Performance
While the beauty of fresh flowers is undeniable, their performance against the elements is often fleeting. Artificial plants and flowers are engineered for superior resilience. They keep their vibrant aesthetic through changing seasons and unpredictable weather.
When moving between indoor and outdoor spaces, fresh flowers suffer shock from temperature changes. Artificial versions handle those transitions without any impact on appearance. This all-weather durability is where their practical value truly shines.
Our weatherproof poppies not only survive but maintain their color integrity through an entire summer. The UV-resistant materials prevent fading, while the drainage design handles rainy day conditions. After two years, they still look nearly new.
Compare your options:
Material | Durability | Best Environment | Maintenance | Lifespan |
Silk | Excellent | Climate-controlled indoor | Monthly dusting | 3-5 years |
Latex | Outstanding | Outdoor/indoor mixed-use | Seasonal cleaning | 4-6 years |
Fabric blend | Good | Protected indoor only | Weekly attention | 2-3 years |
Weatherproof plastic | Superior | Full outdoor exposure | Hose rinse | 5-7 years |
Design Flexibility That Drives Sales
Artificial flowers let you do impossible things. Want poppies in February for an indoor garden wedding? No problem. Need giant gladiolus displays for a summer outdoor concert when fresh varieties would wilt under stage lights? We’ve got solutions.
Event planners particularly appreciate the possibility of advanced preparation. Big corporate events can have floral displays installed days ahead without any deterioration concerns. That eliminates the stress and logistics of last-minute fresh flower deliveries.
Custom colors become possible with artificial flowers. We’ve matched specific corporate colors and wedding themes that would be impossible to achieve with natural blooms.
Whether you need a specific shade of red for brand consistency or want to create unique color combinations for themed events, we can produce to meet your exact specifications. This level of customization ensures your flower arrangements perfectly complement any design vision, from home celebrations to large-scale commercial displays.

Long-Term Value Beyond Initial Cost
The initial purchase price of a high-quality faux arrangement may be higher than a single fresh bouquet. But the value becomes clear when you consider the total cost of ownership. Fresh flowers are recurring costs that never end – weekly purchases, watering, and replacement .
In contrast, buying fake ones is a one-time investment. Beyond the direct cost of replacements, you eliminate the hidden expenses of labor for maintenance and the waste from discarded blooms.
Transform Your Business with Faux Flower Collections
FeelReal’s artificial flower collections deliver meaningful symbolism, realistic beauty, and reliable performance. We control quality from materials selection through final inspection to ensure every arrangement meets the commercial durability standards your business needs.
Our factory-direct pricing means premium silk, latex, and weatherproof artificial flowers without distributor markups eating into your profits. Contact FeelReal today to discuss your project needs and and access our factory-direct pricing.
