Flower calendar · April
April flowers: roses, books and spring
April is the month of Sant Jordi, when Catalonia fills with roses and books, and of spring in full swing in Spain: tulips, lilacs and ranunculus.
- Big date
- April 23Sant Jordi
- Star flower
- Red rosewith a sprig of wheat and a ribbon
- In season in Spain
- Tulip and lilacranunculus, freesia, stock
- In season in the Southern Cone
- Chrysanthemum and rosemid-autumn
Dates for giving flowers in April
| Date | What is celebrated and why | Flower | Color | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| every year | Sant Jordi Legend has it that a rosebush sprang from the blood of the dragon slain by Saint George (Sant Jordi). Barcelona fills with rose and book stalls; the book was added in the 20th century and coincides with World Book Day. | A red rose and a book | Red | Catalonia |
April 23 is one of the biggest days for rose sales in all of Europe. In Barcelona and throughout Catalonia the streets fill with rose and book stalls: tradition calls for giving a red rose, usually with a sprig of wheat and a ribbon in the colors of the Catalan flag, and the book was added when the date came to coincide with World Book Day. You’ll find the legend and all the details in the Sant Jordi guide.
April has other dates with flowers, though not as the main gift:
- Holy Week (in March or April, depending on the year): the processional floats are decorated with carnations, roses and other flowers.
- Seville’s April Fair: a flower in the hair, almost always a carnation or a rose, completes the flamenca dress.
- Girlfriend Day: in some countries it is celebrated on the first Sunday of April, although the date that circulates most on social media is August 1.
- Children’s Day in Mexico (April 30): people give toys and sweets rather than flowers.
Flowers in season in April
| Month | Spain | Mexico and Central America | Argentina, Chile and Uruguay |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | tulip, lilac, ranunculus, freesia, stock, rose | calla lily, lilium, gerbera, carnation, daisy | chrysanthemum, rose, dahlia, aster, lisianthus |
In Colombia, Ecuador and the Andes, the high-altitude climate lets growers produce roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemerias and hydrangeas all year round: that is why they are two of the world’s largest flower exporters. This table is a guide: the season changes with the area and the year, and greenhouses extend almost all of them.
In Spain April is spring at its purest: tulips, fragrant lilacs, ranunculus, freesias and stock, and at the end of the month the first garden roses and the first peony buds. In Mexico it is the season of purple jacarandas lining the streets; florists are full of calla lilies and lilies. In Argentina, Chile and Uruguay autumn moves on with chrysanthemums, roses and asters.
What to give in April
- Sant Jordi: a red rose with a sprig of wheat and a book chosen with the other person in mind. Today it is given in every direction: partners, friends, family.
- To celebrate spring: a bunch of lilacs or of tulips and ranunculus, at a good price.
- For an April birthday: freesias, for their scent, or a bouquet in pastel tones. More ideas in birthday flowers.
Tips for the month
On April 23 there are roses everywhere in Catalonia, but their quality varies a lot. The charity stalls run by schools and associations are a good option; if you want a special rose, order it from a florist in advance. Put the rose in water as soon as you get home and cut the stem at an angle: well cared for, it lasts a week.
Lilacs don’t last long once cut; to make them last longer, crush or split the base of the woody stem a little and remove most of the leaves. And use April to get ready for May: Mother’s Day falls on the first Sunday in Spain and on the 10th in Mexico.
Remind me 3 days before
Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.
Frequently asked questions
Which flowers are given in April?
The red rose of Sant Jordi, on April 23, above all in Catalonia. It is also a good month to give tulips, lilacs and ranunculus, which are in full season in Spain.
Why is a rose given on Sant Jordi?
Legend has it that a rosebush sprang from the blood of the dragon slain by Sant Jordi (Saint George), and the knight gave a rose to the princess. The book was added in the 20th century.
Which flowers are in season in April?
In Spain, tulips, lilacs, ranunculus, freesias, stock and the first garden roses. In Mexico, calla lilies, lilies and gerberas. In the Southern Cone, chrysanthemums, roses and dahlias.
What other flower dates are there in April?
In some countries Girlfriend Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of April. In Seville, during the April Fair, a carnation in the hair is part of the flamenca dress.
