Spring is in full swing, and April’s birth flowers perfectly capture the season’s fresh and cheerful spirit.
The daisy and the sweet pea may be simple blooms, but they’re rich in meaning and charm.
Whether you’re growing them in your garden or giving a bouquet to someone with an April birthday, these flowers bring a lovely mix of innocence, gratitude, and joy to any space.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes daisies and sweet peas so special this time of year.
The Daisy
A Symbol of Cheer and Innocence
Daisies are often one of the first flowers we recognize as children. With their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers, they give off a light and happy feeling.
Daisies symbolize innocence, purity, and loyal love. They also represent fresh starts and new beginnings, which makes perfect sense for a spring flower.
In folklore, people believed that daisies grew where angels placed kisses on the earth. That’s a sweet image—and one that captures the flower’s simple charm.
Types of Daisies
You’ve probably seen more than one kind of daisy.
The classic white daisy with a yellow center is often a Shasta daisy, a popular choice for many home gardens.
African daisies, also known as osteospermum, come in striking colors like purple, orange, and deep blue.
Then there are Gerbera daisies, which are larger and bolder, with shades ranging from soft peach to bright red.
Each type of daisy brings its own flair to garden beds and bouquets, and all are easy to grow with just a little care.
How to Grow Daisies
Daisies are low-maintenance and thrive in sunny spots. Once established, they can bloom from early summer through fall. Here are a few growing tips:
- Plant in full sun. Daisies love at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Use well-drained soil. Too much moisture can cause root rot.
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid soggy soil.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
- Divide clumps every two to three years to keep them healthy.
You can start daisies from seed or pick up small transplants at the garden center. Either way, they’re a rewarding flower to grow.
Around the Home
Freshly picked daisies look beautiful in a mason jar on your kitchen table. Their clean lines and cheerful faces pair well with wildflowers and herbs like lavender or mint.
Dried daisies also work well in pressed flower art, homemade greeting cards, or bookmarks. If you enjoy crafting, keep a few petals tucked between the pages of a heavy book for future projects.
The Sweet Pea
A Fragrant Climber with a Gentle Spirit
Sweet peas are delicate, trailing flowers with a scent that’s both soft and sweet.
In the Victorian era, sweet peas were often used to say goodbye or thank someone for a good time. Today, they still symbolize gratitude, pleasure, and gentle affection.
With their ruffled petals and pastel shades, sweet peas bring a soft romantic feel to the garden or bouquet without being fussy. They look especially lovely in cottage gardens or climbing along a white picket fence.
Color Options
Sweet peas come in many soft, vintage-style colors—light pink, lavender, cream, and coral are just a few. Some varieties are bi-colored, offering petals with blended or striped tones. While they look delicate, the flowers hold up surprisingly well in arrangements if picked in the morning and placed right into water.
Growing Sweet Peas
Sweet peas grow best during cooler weather. In warm climates like Florida’s zone 10A, it’s best to plant them in the fall or early winter so they can bloom before the heat sets in. They prefer well-drained soil and plenty of airflow.
Here are a few growing tips:
- Soak the seeds overnight before planting to soften the outer shell.
- Plant in full sun, unless your climate is extremely hot—then give them light afternoon shade.
- Provide support. Sweet peas are climbers and need a trellis, string, or fence to grow upward.
- Keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.
- Pick blooms regularly to keep the plant flowering longer.
Many gardeners grow sweet peas just for the fragrance. The scent is strongest in older heirloom varieties, so if you’re after that classic smell, look for those at seed companies that specialize in cottage garden plants.
In the Home
A small vase of sweet peas can scent an entire room. These blooms don’t last long once cut, but they make up for it in charm and fragrance. Use them in bedside vases, table arrangements, or tied into a posy with twine for a simple spring gift.
You can also press sweet pea petals for use in craft projects or dry them to make fragrant sachets. They’re a lovely choice for homemade Mother’s Day gifts or springtime tea party decor.
Using April’s Flowers in Everyday Life
If you love bringing the outdoors in, daisies and sweet peas are perfect choices. These flowers aren’t just beautiful—they’re meaningful. Here are a few ways to include them in your daily life:
- Create a birthday bouquet for someone born in April using fresh or dried daisies and sweet peas.
- Tuck pressed petals into your journal or a seasonal scrapbook.
- Add a few stems to a bud vase and place it near your sink, on your nightstand, or by your sewing machine.
- Use them as inspiration for embroidery, quilting, or cross-stitch designs.
These little touches can bring seasonal beauty into your home while keeping traditions alive in small, joyful ways.
Final Thoughts
April’s birth flowers—daisy and sweet pea—offer more than just good looks. They carry messages of kindness, gratitude, and joy, all wrapped up in a soft spring bloom.
Whether you’re growing them in your yard, pressing them in your favorite book, or giving them as a thoughtful gift, these flowers bring a simple but powerful beauty into your home.
Do you grow daisies or sweet peas in your garden? Or do you have a special April birthday to celebrate this month? I’d love to hear about it! Share your story in the comments or tag @thimbleandtansy on Instagram so I can see how you’re bringing April’s blooms to life.
Bonus Content
Each post, I’ll include links to other articles I’ve written that relate to this topic (if available), so you can explore more helpful tips and ideas.
You’ll also find affiliate links for Amazon or Botanical Interests to help you find the tools and seeds you need.
Thimble & Tansy participates in several affiliate marketing programs. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the maintenance of the blog and allow us to continue creating content for our readers.
To make your homemade journey even more rewarding, I’ll share a freebie or two each month, whether it’s a printable guide, checklist, or another resource to keep you inspired.
Finally, I’ll list the resources I used to create this blog for those who want to learn more.
Affiliate Links
- Aboofx Large Professional Flower Press Kit
- Jennie Ashmore: The Art of Pressed Flowers and Leaves
- Botanical Interests: Bouquet Blend Sweet Pea Seeds
- Botanical Interests: Perfume Delight Sweet Pea Seeds
Freebie
Pattern by Ellen Maurer-Stroh – “Sweet Pea.” Image credit: Ellen Maurer-Stroh
- Ellen Maurer-Stroh: Sweet Pea Cross Stitch Pattern
- Lucy @ Attic 24: Daisy Cross Stitch Pattern
Additional Resources
- Almanac.com: April Birth Flowers: Daisies and Sweet Peas
- Bloom & Wild: What are the April Birth Flowers?
- Gardenia: April Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?