Do You Know Your State’s Official Flower?

The camellia is a layered beauty that blooms throughout the winter months in Southern temperate climates when most other plants are brown. Depending on the variety, they may bloom white, red, pink or yellow, with 250 species and 3,000 hybrid varieties.

Cultivated for thousands of years in southern and eastern areas of Asian, the camellia genus includes both ornamental varieties as well as tea-producing ones (they’re used to produce most of the white, green oolong and black tea in Asia).

In 1959, state-wide flower enthusiasts successfully pushed to replace the official goldenrod flower with the camellia, which has been revered by citizens of Alabama since the 1800s. Originally considered a status symbol to grow an Asian-imported camellia in your home garden, they slowly became more widespread as years passed.

The charming yet humble alpine forget-me-not is a five-petal royal blue flower with a yellow and white eye. It can be found primarily in mountainous, high-altitude regions all around Alaska, both in gardens and more rough terrains. Blooming in clusters during long summer days, forget-me-nots become more fragrant in the evening hours.

The forget-me-not has been the official state flower since 1917, long before Alaska became the 49th state. Its blue color is incorporated into the state flag, and while its meaning varies by culture, the flower is widely representative of faithfulness, peace, growth and power.

The official flower is also very present in many Alaskan native artworks including intricate beadwork sewn into clothing.

The unexpected splendor of the saguaro cactus blossom is a delicate white flower with a golden center that blooms amidst the desolate desert ecosystem of Arizona. Usually in May or June of each year, the blossom blooms for just one single day, wilting by nightfall.

Even with such a short lifespan, the saguaro flower attracts many pollinators including bats and birds, all contributing to the desert life cycle. These fleeting flowers remind Arizonians of the magic within such a harsh landscape.

It became the official state flower in 1931. Visitors of Catalina, Lost Dutchman or Picacho Peak state parks can, if luck has it, spot the flower blooming in the Sonoran Desert.

Fragrant apple blossom buds often signal the beginning of spring, and their season only lasts a few weeks.

The gentle pink and white apple blossom became the official flower of Arkansas in 1901. Arkansas was the second state to establish its official flower, following Michigan. To make this decision, the Arkansas Floral Emblem Society surveyed women’s groups for their choices. The apple was a major crop for the Arkansas economy at the time, as 400 varieties were grown in the state.

The emblem remains today, even despite the apple’s decline in economic importance in modern-day Arkansas.

The vibrant orange California poppy became the official flower of its namesake in 1903 and is considered a floral representation of the “fields of gold” sought during the gold rush era. Connections to this heritage and the golden promise of California are often cited as reasoning for why the flower is a perfect fit.

The poppy blooms in the spring and summer months alongside roads and freeways within the state. It grows best in hot and dry soil and require full sun — not a tough requirement for the “golden state.”

April 6 of each year is designated as California Poppy Day.

The Rocky Mountain columbine boasts unique white and blue petals and is commonly found in alpine trails, aspen groves, forests and meadows. Its rich aroma attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Climber Edwin James first discovered the columbine in 1820 on Pike’s Peak. In 1899, the state’s school children chose the flower by a vote.

The blue and white variety is specified in Colorado, as its colors are found in the state flag. Blue symbolizes the sky, white the snow and yellow the state’s gold mining history.

The mountain laurel is one of America’s most beautiful native flowers with its pink and white elegant umbrella-like shape. Its blossoms stand out starkly against the deep green backdrops of the woodlands in New England, growing best in acidic soil, shade and cool humid climates.

Mountain laurels are found along the state’s roads and gardens in late spring to early summer, with the earliest sightings dating back four centuries. In 1907, the General Assembly chose the flower after 3,000 women sent its sprigs to lawmakers.

Connecticut shares their official flower with Pennsylvania.

The peach blossom is a silky and delicate heart-shaped flower that can bloom in varying shades of pink, from light blush all the way to a magenta, and exudes a sweet honey and almond-like aroma. The best time to see a peach blossom is during its early-spring blooming period.

Delaware selected the flower in 1895 following their reputation as “The Peach State.” At the time, the state’s orchards held more than 800,000 peach trees.

The legislature stated that they based their decision on the blossom’s representation of “the beauty and fragrance of nature.”

The dainty white bloom and sweet citrusy scent of the orange blossom is a fitting symbol for the “Sunshine State.” They can be planted anytime in warm climates but thrive better in the spring or summer to prepare for colder weather. The more sunshine and warmth the better — and the sweeter the fruit!

The orange tree is not native to Florida but thrives in its sunny climate and was recognized early as an important agricultural product for the state. Selected in 1909, the Orange Blossom has a range of symbolic meanings: fertility, love, prosperity and healing, to name a few.

Central Florida, known as the “Citrus Ridge” of the state, is a great place to see historic citrus groves.

The Cherokee rose, an open white petal flower with a small yellow-gold center, is frequently overshadowed by Georgia’s larger reputation as the peach state. A climbing rose, the stems can grow up to 20 feet in the wild and thrive in the deep South climate. The blooming season is short, only lasting through late March and April.

The General Assembly selected the flower in 1916. It received its name through associations with the Cherokee tribe, as the flower grew along the path west to Oklahoma territory during the Trail of Tears.

The petals represent the Cherokee clans, and the center the gold for which their land was stolen. It still grows on the same trail to this day.

While visiting the beautiful state of Hawaii, it’s almost certain that you will spot a yellow hibiscus. The colorful, ornate flower, also called “pua aloalo” in Hawaiian, has five species native to the islands. The yellow variant is extremely rare and is an endangered species in Hawaii.

The state legally designated the flower in 1988, but Hawaiians had already adopted the hibiscus as their Territorial flower since the 1920s. This choice emphasizes the natural beauty of the state, but also the importance of Hawaiian conservation efforts.

The syringa, sometimes called the mock orange, are clusters of white fragrant flowers that grow in shrubs only found in western states. The nickname refers to its similar smell to orange blossoms. The plant grows best along streams, dry ravines, and canyons and can be found in large numbers within the Boise National Forest.

Idaho designated the flower in 1931, as they bloom in the state from late May through July often resembling snowy Idaho mountainsides.

Lewisii is the species name for the syringa, honoring the explorer Meriwether Lewis who first wrote about the flower. Native Americans have found many uses for syringa, using its wood to make pipe stems bows, arrows and snowshoes, and the bark and leaves for soap.

Found in many different locations across the country, the easily recognizable blue violet has gentle purple petal that also grow in yellow, white, blue-violet, and green variants. It depends on the specific species, but most violets bloom in the spring.

In 1907, a group of Illinois school children voted on the state flower and tree, and a year later Senator Andrew J. Jackson introduced a bill making it official.

The petals of a violet are edible from early to mid-spring, and have more vitamin c than an orange!

Found in over 40 species and 6,500 hybrids, the showy peony blooms every spring for generations. The flower blooms in various shades of red, pink, yellow and white and are popular for their large size and strong scent. Native to Asia, peonies first arrived in the United States during the 1800s.

Peonies became the state flower in 1957 to honor Rep. Laurence D. Baker and his wife Frances who started their peony business in 1925. Known for their love of the flower, the pair planted them on the statehouse lawn and even presented Amelia Earhart with a bouquet.

Today, the Indiana Peony Festival occurs every year since 2021, drawing over 10,000 visitors to celebrate the famous flower and its significance to the state.

Since our earliest records, Iowans celebrate the wild roses that grow within the state. With yellow stamens at the center, the roses’ petals can be found in varying shades of pink and omit a strong aroma. They bloom starting in June through to the late summer months.

The Iowa General Assembly designated the flower in 1897 after recommendations from the State Federation of Women’s Clubs. When the original USS Iowa Battleship started service the state’s legislature presented the Navy with a silver tea set that featured a wild rose design.

Iowa shares an official flower with North Dakota.

The iconic wild native sunflower, with its big fuzzy brown center and golden petals, is an obvious choice for “The Sunflower State” itself. Turning their floral heads to face the sun they track its movement in the sky, and are tall, tough plants that can adapt to many different conditions.

Over 3,000 years ago, Native Americans used sunflower seeds for food and played a major role in cultivating the large modern sunflower we see today. Designated in 1903, the sunflower is also found on the Kansas quarter and state flag.

Cited by the Kansas legislature, the sunflower is an easily recognizable symbol that transcends generations and speaks to the state’s history of frontier days, while also representing a “golden future.”

The late-summer bloomer goldenrod is a part of the sunflower family with its yellow, ray like flowers. You can spot over 30 varieties of the native plant during this time of year in meadows, fields and roadsides in Kentucky.

Designated in 1926, the goldenrod symbolizes good fortune, success and prosperity. The flower is often gifted to someone beginning a new chapter or venture for good luck!

The goldenrod is also the official flower of Nebraska, and the official wildflower of South Carolina.

A flower synonymous with the South, the magnolia is impossible to miss with its creamy white petals and heady aroma. Eight species are native to the United States, with hundreds of hybrids that thrive in full sun or partial shade.

Their buds appear in late-March and reach full bloom in mid-April, with a relatively short peak period.

Designated in 1952, the southern magnolia grows on a medium-size hardwood tree with bark historically used in Chinese traditional medicine. In southern culture, the white magnolia symbolizes luck economic stability, purity and perfection.

The magnolia is also the official state flower of Mississippi.

While not technically a flower, the white pine cone and tassel is a perfect fit for the “pine tree state” of Maine. The white pine tree is the largest conifer in the north west and appears on the state flag, seal, and Maine quarter.

In 1895, a successful vote by state residents made the white pine cone the official state flower. This came as no surprise, as the abundance of white pines in the state made it a cornerstone for the region’s lumber industry.

Much of Maine’s identity is tied to forestry, so residents selected a plant that mirrors their appreciation for resilience, resourcefulness, and growth.

Another member of the sunflower family, the black-eyed-Susan is a daisy-like wildflower with yellow petals and a deep brown center. They thrive in the dry climate east of the Rocky Mountains and bloom all summer long.

In 1918, Senator Harvey Bomberger made the symbol official after a vote at the Maryland Agricultural College’s Farmers Institute “Round-Up.”

The yellow and black colors of the black-eyed-Susan matches that of the state flag, bird insect, and even cat.

The teeny-tiny mayflower may only grow 6 inches tall, but its delicate white petals and pink center hold a rich history. With a short bloom season starting in late March and peaking in May, they thrive in shade sandy soils, and rocky areas.

Named after the famous ship that landed in Plymouth, the mayflower was the first to greet the Pilgrims in the New World. They were inspired by the dainty flowers perseverance as it peeked through the melting snow and saw it as a sign of hope and survival.

The Mayflower is more difficult to find in Massachusetts today but still exists in some protected forests and woodland areas in the state.

In 1897, Michigan was the first state to choose the apple blossom as their official state flower by the state legislature.

The flower represents the state’s deep connection to apple production as one of the top producers in the country. The delicate pink and white flowers symbolize the beauty of the hardworking people in this industry and across the state.

Arkansas was the second state to adopt the apple blossom as their state flower, following Michigan.

The bulbous pink and white lady slipper is one of the most unique state flowers among the rest. Also called the moccasin flower, they may take over 16 years to produce their first bud, but can live for up to 50 years after that. Slippers are found mostly in open fens, bogs, swamps and damp woods with plenty of light.

In 1893, the Women’s Auxiliary to the World’s Fair petitioned for the flower but it was not signed into law until 1967 by the legislature. These rare flowers are protected under Minnesota state law, as they are an endangered species.

Part of the orchid family, the slipper represents resilience, patience and beauty in its rare but long lifespan.

A flower synonymous with the South, the magnolia is impossible to miss with its creamy white petals and heady aroma. Eight species are native to the United States, with hundreds of hybrids that thrive in full sun or partial shade.

Designated in 1900, state schoolchildren selected the magnolia through an election. The flower appears in the state’s nickname, flag, and recently the car tag.

In southern culture, the white magnolia symbolizes luck, economic stability, purity and perfection.

The magnolia is also the official state flower of Louisiana.

Apart of the rose family, the white hawthorn blossom has small white petals and produce berry-like fruit called haws. These berries feed birds and small mammals and can also be turned into jam. They appear in globe-like clusters over the hawthorn tree and grow well in Missouri’s climate, particularly in the Ozarks.

The Daughters of the American Revolution organization in Missouri first proposed the native hawthorn blossom as official flower. In 1923 a final decision designated the flower recognizing its significance.

A large part of Missouri’s natural heritage today, the flower symbolizes the states natural beauty and resilience.

The bewitching appearance of the bitterroot stands out among the rest with its neon magenta petals and spindly white center. It is even mentioned in the Harry Potter canon! They bloom during the spring and summer months in the sagebrush plains and mountains of western and southern Montana.

Officially designated in 1895, bitterroot is culturally important to many tribes in the state as the root is harvested and eaten in the spring becoming more bitter tasting in the summer. Some tribes believe that its properties improve memory and clarity, while others believe the flower has special powers in general.

Explorers Lewis and Clark even wrote about the flower during their travels.

The late-summer bloomer goldenrod is a part of the sunflower family with its yellow, ray-like flowers. You can spot many varieties of the species that are native to Nebraska throughout the state.

Designated in 1895, daughter of Representative John Brockman, Ida penned an article about the goldenrod. She expressed how there is not a corner of the state you wouldn’t be able to find the golden flower and that its long season best represents the endurance of Nebraskan pioneers.

September 17 is known as “Golden Rod Day” as declared at the Nebraska State Fair in 1895.

The goldenrod is also the state flower of Kentucky.

Potentially an unexpected choice for official flower, the sagebrush stands out as a silvery gray-green bush found in the southwest desert. In bushes that can grow up to 12 feet along rivers, they omit a pungent smell especially when wet. Their blooming season is late summer into fall.

Designated in 1917, the sagebrush is also seen on the flag and state quarter. Native Americans have historically used sagebrush leaves for medicine and the bark for weaving mats.

Sagebrush flourishes in areas of the desert where most other plants cannot, and it’s so abundant in Nevada that it inspired cowboys to begin wearing chaps for protection.

One of the most universally adored flowers, the purple lilac is a cold-climate shrub with a beautiful fragrance. One lilac bush can live for hundreds of years with over 1,000 different varieties.

First imported from England and Asia in 1750, lilacs are known to have been planted in the gardens of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The flower defeated the mayflower, goldenrod and buttercup for designation in 1918.

The purple lilac symbolizes the “hardy character” of the citizens of the “Granite State.”

The classic violet with its 5 gentle bluish-purple petals, is found in many different locations across the country. They also grow in yellow, white blue-violet and green variants. It depends on the specific species, but most violets bloom during the spring across New Jersey lawns and meadows.

In 1913, New Jersey was one of the first state floral designations to utilize a democratic approach, surveying schoolchildren and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs. At the urging of local garden clubs, the official legislation was passed in 1971.

Rhode Island, Illinois, and Wisconsin also share the violet as an official flower.

The blossom of the desert, the yucca plant, is a common sight across the lower elevations of New Mexico. These upside-down white bulbs blossom on a long, slim stalk and were often called “our Lord’s candles” by early settlers. 40-50 species are native to hot and dry parts of North America.

The blossoms are edible to wildlife, and the roots and stems can be crushed to make a substitute for soap or shampoo. They also have a unique pollination system — only by yucca moths.

Chosen after a student survey, the New Mexico Federation of Women’s Clubs also supported the yucca blossom, leading to an official designation in 1927.

Arguably the most famous flower of all time, the rose is New York’s official flower, as well as the United States’ national flower. It grows naturally throughout North America in red, pink, white and yellow varieties.

Legislators successfully designated the rose in 1955, choosing a symbol that was widely recognized and meaningful to New York residents of all backgrounds.

Strength and renewal are commonly associated with the rose, which is believed to align with New York’s cultural identity.

The paper-like blossoms of the dogwood tree are one of the most common in North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast. Native dogwood can grow between 20 and 30 feet and loudly bloom year-round in the springtime.

For residents of North Carolina, the white dogwood flower represents the coming of spring as its petals will blanket sidewalks everywhere you go. The General Assembly passed legislation in 1941, making the flower official.

The “Fayetteville Dogwood Festival” happens annually in the state with music, food shopping and rides — free for everyone!

Virginia also shares the dogwood as their official state flower.

The wild rose is found along the roadsides and pastures of North Dakota, with yellow stamens at the center and petals in varying shades of pink. They bloom starting in June through to the late summer and omit a strong aroma.

Designated in 1907, the graduating class of the University of North Dakota chose the flower to represent their school, symbolizing “green prairies and rosy prospects.”

Iowa also shares the wild rose as their official state flower.

The nostalgic carnation can be found in a wide range of shades, from white and yellow, to red and pink. These flowers stay beautiful all summer long and omit a strong clove scent.

The red carnation honors President McKinley from Ohio who famously wore them on his lapel. Officially designated in 1904, the carnation represents love and respect for the late president.

The most recent addition to the official flower family is the Oklahoma rose. A hybrid tea rose, the dark red petals appear almost black velvet when in warm weather. These flowers are extremely fragrant with long-pointed buds that open into full, double blooms.

Herbert Swim and O.L. Weeks, two award-winning rose breeders in the United States, created the hybrid rose in 1964. Locals of Oklahoma lobbied for over 30 years to have the flower selected, until it was finally designated in 2004.

Many other states celebrate the rose in all its many forms as their official flower, including New York, Georgia, Iowa, and North Dakota.

The adorable Oregon grape blossom, also known as the holly-leaved barberry, is a shrub native to most of the Pacific coast and sparsely east of the Cascades. They bloom year-round with waxy green leaves that resist wilting and dainty yellow petals in early summer.

The plant does not produce grapes, but a dark, tart blue berry that ripens in late fall, and is often used to make jelly by locals.

At the 1892 Oregon Horticultural Society’s annual convention, the flower was nominated. The legislature officially designated the Oregon grape in 1899.

The mountain laurel is one of America’s most beautiful native flowers, with its pink and white elegant umbrella-like shape. The blossoms stand out starkly against the deep green backdrops of their woodlands in the eastern United States, and grow best in acidic soil shade, and cool humid climates.

The flower blooms from late May through to mid-June in Pennsylvania and only lasts for a few weeks, but the dense leaf growth is stunning all year long.

State governor Gifford Pinchot signed the bill designating the mountain laurel as official in 1933. His wife was partial to the flower, which led to the final decision.

Pennsylvania shares this official flower with Connecticut.

The classic violet with its 5 gentle bluish-purple petals, is found in many different locations across the country. They also grow in yellow, white blue-violet and green variants. Over 400 species of violets bloom in the temperate northern hemisphere.

The state’s schoolchildren voted on Arbor Day in 1897 and chose the violet, but it was not officially designated by the state until 1968.

Rhode Island was the last state to adopt a state flower and shares the violet with Illinois and New Jersey.

Found all throughout South Carolina, the yellow jessamine is known for its sweet fragrance and golden appearance. The evergreen vine is native to the southeastern United States and is sometimes referred to as the Carolina jasmine, or the trumpet vine.

These flowers bloom in the very late winter or early spring, a symbol of the coming of sunshine and warm weather. They love the sun for this reason and grow quickly in moist soil.

Designated in 1924, the legislature chose the flower as a symbol of consistency, loyalty and patriotism demonstrated in its faithful return after every winter.

The American pasque, or pasqueflower, is native to South Dakota and grows wild throughout the state’s tallgrass prairies. The lavender flower is a member of the buttercup family and is one of the first to bloom in the spring, sometimes even before the snow has fully thawed.

The name Pasque refers to Easter and Passover, as that is the period these wildflowers usually bloom. Native Americans revered the small flower of South Dakota for medicinal uses, long before it was designated as state flower in 1903.

A piece of folklore written in the Dakota language frames the pasqueflower as a “grandparent” that emerges before the rest of the plants and animals. Once the rest appear then it is this flowers time to pass on — and the pattern continues every year.

The classic springtime iris with its unusual flag-like petals, can be found in many different colors and varieties, with some even blooming year-round.

In 1919, schoolchildren of the state chose the passionflower, but the legislature adopted the iris in 1933 — a cause of much confusion. The official designation passed in 1973, with the passionflower being considered the state wildflower instead.

One of the state songs also celebrates the iris, with “When it’s Iris Time in Tennessee” by Willa Waid Newman.

The adored bluebonnet is found blooming across Texas highways and backroads every spring, in their shades of indigo, pink and white. Eight different types of the flower are native to the state and the southwest found in clusters resembling old-fashioned women’s bonnets.

The state legislature chose the bluebonnet in 1901, and all species are included in the designation — beating the cotton boll, and prickly pear flower.

Some of the best bluebonnets can be found in small towns within Texas. Ennis, a town south of Dallas, is the Official Bluebonnet City as of 1997.

Growing in the open grass and rangelands of Utah, the sego lily is native to several western states. Also called the mariposa lily, they bloom in early summer with white, lilac, or yellow petals.

Sego is a Shoshonean word thought to mean “edible bulb,” and is sacred in Native American legend. It thrives in the driest conditions and is responsible for feeding pioneers of the past. The bulb could be roasted, boiled, or made into porridge.

Designated by the state legislature in 1911, the flower’s historical significance has been revered as a symbol of peace, mercy, and freedom.

The pinkish-purple red clover with its pom-pom shaped head grows best in cool, moist regions like Vermont and is a part of the legume family. In the 1600s, European settlers introduced the flower to the state — originally from Germany.

Chosen as the state flower in 1894, the red clover represents Vermont’s agricultural roots and dairy farming heritage. Farmers often use red clover in a variety of ways, as it is edible to humans featuring a mild sweet flavor.

The paper-like blossoms of the dogwood tree can grow between 20 and 30 feet, bloom year-round, and loudly flower their clusters in the springtime. They also develop red berries in the fall that drop in the winter.

The state designated the flower in 1918, as the wood of the tree has historically been used for making looms arrows, and tools.

Dogwood is also the state flower of North Carolina.

The big leaf coast rhododendron is native to western North America and found primarily on the coast, perfect for the costal Washington state. It is one of the state’s wildest, most eye-catching shrubs.

In 1892, the women of Washington chose the flower to showcase at the World’s Fair in Chicago. The state legislature officially recognized this decision and designated the coast rhododendron in 1959.

Another version of the species, the rhododendron is a flowering shrub of pink, purple, and white blooms every late spring. Native to eastern North America, it is also called the great laurel, or American rhododendron.

Thousands of schoolchildren across the state voted for the flower, and it was officially designated by the state in 1903. It beat out the honeysuckle and wild rose by over 15,000 votes.

The classic violet with its 5 gentle bluish-purple petals is found in many different locations across the country. They grow in yellow, white, blue-violet, and green variants. Over 400 species of violets bloom in the temperate northern hemisphere.

Wisconsin’s schoolchildren chose the violet in 1908, meant to represent the scenic beauty of the state. On Arbor Day of the next year, the violet was officially designated as state flower.

Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island also have the violet as their official state flower.