April Showers Really Do Bring May Flowers
The saying is true that April Showers bring May flowers.
The first thing that comes to mind in reference to April is the saying, "April showers bring May flowers." Is that true, or is it just something to say because it rhymes?
Most people have heard the age-old saying. What is it about April that gives it a reputation for wet weather over other months? What is it about May flowers that suggests they are beautiful and plentiful because of April showers?
April Showers
According to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, June is the wettest month and not April. June typically sees 3.15 inches of precipitation, whereas April ranks as 5th wettest with only 2.52 inches. However, April is part of the familiar saying because it is the first full month of spring, and May is the first month of the season most people associate with flowers and trees. Since April is also the rainiest month up to that point, “April showers” is more appropriate to say than "June showers."
April's Name
The name April comes from the Latin word meaning "to open." It is the fourth month of the year, and flowers and trees begin to open in springtime. Although the saying doesn't mention any specific flowers, April's flowers are actually daisies and sweet pea.
According to meteorologists and other weather professionals, the saying is true. April is traditionally a rainy month. That means the rain keeps the soil fertile, which makes flowers like the daisies above grow and bloom a month later like the sweet pea below.
Additionally, April is the month that kicks off the growing season that provides the spring-flowering plants with the nutrients needed to survive the months ahead starting with May. Scientists have also proven that the warm spring temperatures in May are also a key factor.
Deeper Meaning
The line is actually from a short poem. Even though the literal meaning is true about showers and flowers, there is a deeper meaning behind the words. Metaphorically, the statement reminds us of something deeper than April showers and May flowers.
The expression is an excellent lesson that proves to us that bad things that happened during winter months can change with the rain in April. It can wash away the trouble we endured and bring pleasant, beautiful and enjoyable things like flowers. However, we must be patience enough to wait for the abundance of beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers in May.
Interesting and Fun Facts About April
Even though "April showers bring May flowers" is a well-known saying pertaining to the month, there are many other interesting things about the month of April.
- April means "to open."
- April is named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
- The month of April was sacred to the goddess Venus in Ancient Rome.
- April is the second month of spring because the first full month officially starts on March 20.
- April is a time f0r planting and a good time to do spring-cleaning.
- The arrival of the cuckoo bird in April is a signal that spring has arrived.
- Small animals that hibernate during the winter months usually come out of their burrows in April.
- Birds fly northward in April.
- Bees and butterflies begin to gather nectar from the first flowers that spring up in April.
- April in the Southern Hemisphere is the same as October in the Northern Hemisphere.
- The poet and playwright William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, and died on his birthday on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52.
- Lots of poems have been written about April.
- Noah Webster copyrighted the first Webster's Dictionary on April 14, 1828.
- The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912.
- George Washington, the first President of the United States, was inaugurated on April 30, 1789.
- April is a female name, even though the person might not have been born in April.
- Tax forms must be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15 each year.
- April is the only month that has a designated day for pranks.
April's Observances in 2025
- April 1: April Fools' Day
- April 2: Autism Awareness Day
- April 10: National Siblings Day
- April 11: National Pet Day
- April 13: Palm Sunday
- April 15: Tax Day
- April 20: Easter
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 28: Arbor Day
Comments Are Welcomed
Feel free to comment if you were born in April, the shower month or in May, the flowers month.
About the Creator
Margaret Minnicks
Margaret Minnicks has a bachelor's degree in English. She is an ordained minister with two master's degrees in theology and Christian education. She has been an online writer for over 15 years. Thanks for reading and sending TIPS her way.
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Icy Chaos in Central and Eastern Europe
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By Muhammad Hassan4 days ago in Earth
Snow, Rain and Wind Warnings Continue After Storm Goretti Disruption
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Center Stage with Paul Stewart
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler3 days ago in Interview
Comments (1)
Very informative