National Flowers of the World

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United States - Rose

President Reagan officially declared the rose the National Floral Emblem in 1986, stating in his proclamation, “we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity.”

Photo: Image courtesy of iStock

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Thailand - Golden Shower Tree

The golden shower tree (Cassia fistula) has certainly earned its name and right to be Thailand's national tree: Its bright yellow flowers rain down from long, flowing branches every summer.

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Greenland - Fireweed

Known more charmingly in Greenland as niviarsiaq (“little girl”), this vibrant wildflower (Chamerion angustifolium) grows beautifully along the country’s sandy banks and riverbeds. Photo by HGTVGardens community member HomieGnomie

Photo: Image courtesy of iStock / Photo by Imran Ahmed

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Cuba - Butterfly Lily

Super fragrant mariposa blanca — white butterfly — is Cuba's national flower. It's been said that during the country's fight for independence, women would relay secret war messages inside the lily's flowers.

$'Heathcliff' produces scarlet, fully doubled flowers that open to a rosette shape.The plants grow approximately 3 ½’ tall by 3’ wide, with shiny, deep green foliage. This variety has an unusual perfume that combines a Tea Rose scent with the fragrance of Old Roses; there’s an undertone of earthy, dry cedar.$

Photo: Image courtesy of David Austin Roses

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England - Rose

The rose has been a symbol for England since the War of the Roses in the 1400s. Nowadays, most gardeners just fight to get their hands on the newest David Austin rose like 'Heathcliff', a gorgeous scarlet hybrid with double flowers.

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Ireland - Shamrock

Did you expect anything else? It's said that in Ireland's early days, St. Patrick used the clover to describe the Holy Trinity. Though it's likely the saint plucked Trifolium repens, an invasive weed hailing from Ireland, it's more common to grow Oxalis tetraphylla, a relative of the wood sorrel.

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Argentina - Cockspur Coral Tree

Known as ceibo in Spanish-speaking countries, Erythrina crista-galli and its bright red flower is Argentina's national tree and flower. If you've got the space, coral trees are also a favorite in zones 10-11.

Photo: Image courtesy of Felicia Feaster

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Mexico - Dahlia

¡Viva Dahlia! These radiant blooms call Mexico home. With so many varieties to choose from that can adapt to a range of hardiness zones, they can call your garden home, too.

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Canada - Maple

From the National Flag to hockey teams (Go, Toronto Maple Leafs!), Canada is known for the iconic maple leaf.

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Spain - Red Carnation

In Bizet's famous opera, set in Spain, the beautiful Carmen wore a bright red carnation in her hair. Carnations also happen to grow prolifically in Spain. Just the thought of filling our summer gardens with Dianthus brings music to our ears.

Nelumbo nucifera ‘Zhaojun Gu Ying’ (N. 'Zhaojun Look Back Shadow')

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India - Lotus

Delicate and graceful, India's history with the lotus goes back to its spiritual roots. Saraswathi, the Hindu goddess of learning, arts, music and nature is typically characterized by sitting on a white or pink lotus flower. Photo by HGTVGardens community member Larrychurchville

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Japan - Cherry Blossom

Japan is famous for sakura, or cherry trees. Visitors flock to the island year after year to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms during their peak season. Photo by HGTVGardens community member Melissa Webster

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Iran - Tulip

The tulip, a holy symbol in Iran, is immortalized on the country's national flag. And though we're used to hearing about the fields of tulips in Holland, the Iberian peninsula actually gave birth to the bulbs we know and love.

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China - Tree Peony

Paeonia suffruticosa, tree peony, is native to China, where it has been grown, used for medicine and depicted in art and culture for hundreds of years. Tree peony can provide you with a generation of happiness as well—the gorgeous shrub can survive the toughest conditions and some are known to live well over 100 years.

Flowers of the World