June birth flower: rose and honeysuckle

The story behind the June birth flowers

June's birth flowers are the rose and honeysuckle. As with every month, the lists come from England and America, where June is early summer and the height of the rose season in gardens. Nobody fixed these pairings by decree. They built up through almanacs, florists and gift guides, and lists still differ a little.

The rose carries more meanings than almost any other flower. Kate Greenaway's Language of Flowers (1884) has several entries for it: a plain rose means love, a white rose "I am worthy of you" and a yellow one a decrease of love, or jealousy. Honeysuckle is given as generous and devoted affection.

Roses are sold in Australia all year, but a large share of them are imported, and in June it's winter here, so local stems come mostly from glasshouses. Ask your florist whether they have Australian-grown roses if that matters to you. Honeysuckle is rarely sold as a cut flower. It's a garden climber, and Japanese honeysuckle is a weed in parts of the country.

If you want winter flowers alongside the roses, June has good ones. Anemones, with their dark centres, look sharp next to red roses. Cymbidium orchids can last for weeks in a cool room. Tulips are arriving and suit someone who prefers something simple. Roses and anemones in red and white make an easy, classic winter pairing.

Gift tip: Winter houses are cool, so June bouquets usually outlast summer ones, as long as the vase is kept away from heaters and sunny windows.