Dogwood, a birthday flower of March 18th

Dogwood is hanamizuki ハナミズキ in Japanese. It is a very popular flowering tree in Japan, blooming from around April to May. At that time, you can see its soft pink or white blossoms almost floating on the branches. 

In the hanakotoba, Japan's flower language, its meanings include enduring presence “永続性”, reciprocal gift “返礼”, and please accept my feelings “私の想いを受けてください”. Meanings shaped by its history in Japan, as dogwood trees were first received as a diplomatic gift. In 1912, when Japan sent cherry trees to Washington, D.C., the United States responded by sending dogwoods to Tokyo. An exchange that still colors the tree’s symbolism today.

In English its flower meanings include "durability", "love undiminished by adversity" and "Am I indifferent to you" reflecting the tree's complex emotional palette. Dogwood only features on the birthday flower calendar once a year, on March 18th, along with Tosa Winter Hazel and pink Azalea.