15 state flowers to grow anywhere

Story highlightsThe state flower designations date back to the 1893 Chicago World's FairLegislators
consulted botanists and even school children to make selectionsThe rose is the most popular floral
emblem nationwide and it's the national flower of the U.S.A.As American as fireworks in July, official
state flowers honor the natural diversity of our country. The idea dates back to 1893, when, for a
national garland at the Chicago World's Fair, each state was asked to nominate a floral emblem. The
sunflower was a shoo-in for Kansas, suggesting "the majesty of a golden future." But debates raged
in other states as they struggled for consensus on a single bloom. In some close contests, legislators
turned to botanists to break a tie. Or they consulted schoolchildren, who, in Colorado, chose the
Rocky Mountain columbine and, in Rhode Island, the violet.
Most of these picks are common natives that bloom on summer roadsides or are familiar transplants,
comfortably at home in their adopted state. Many are also such great all-around garden plants
thatno matter where you livethey'll thrive with little fuss, adding notes of carefree Americana to your
landscape.
No bloom holds more titles than the rose. It's an official emblem for New York, Georgia, North
Dakota, Iowa, and Oklahoma, as well as the national flower of the U.S.A.
Here, we present 15 state flowers (find the 35 other state flowers at This Old House Magazine),
along with growing tips and recommended varieties. Show off your national pride with these
favorites.
Alabama: Camellia
Camellia japonica
Though native to Asia, the camellia replaced goldenrod as Alabama's state flower in 1927, when the
ladies of the state successfully lobbied for the change because they felt its elegance was more
appropriate than the wildflower's weed-like looks. Camellia, with its glossy evergreen leaves and
large cupped flowers, blooms when few other plants doin late winter to early spring. Plant partialshade-loving camellias such as 'Rubescens Major,' shown here, in slightly acidic soil that drains well.
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Alaska: Forget-Me-Not
Myosotis alpestris
Before statehood, Alaska's territorial legislature picked the wild forget-me-not as its bloom, calling it
"the emblem of the pioneers upon the rugged trail" in the bill's descriptive marginalia. With its
mounding habit and flocks of true-blue spring and summer flowers, it's a charming filler around
bulbs and in rock gardens or containers. Fragrant at night, the self-sowing perennial thrives in full
to dappled sun and moist, free-draining soil. The cultivar 'Ultramarine' (shown) has a more compact
habit than the species, growing only 6 inches high and a foot across.
Arizona: Saguaro Cactus Blossom

Carnegiea gigantea
Even before Arizona achieved statehood, the saguaro cactus blossom was selected as the territory's
symbol, in 1901; its status was officially signed into law 30 years later. This fragrant, creamy white
flower blooms from the tips of saguaro cacti in late spring, opening up at night and early into the
morning. It is found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert.
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Arkansas: Apple Blossom
Pyrus coronaria
At one time a major apple-producing state, Arkansas decreed the apple blossom its official flower in
1901. The pink-and-white blooms of Pyrus coronaria (American crabapple tree, shown) are
extremely fragrant, appearing March through May, followed in September by clusters of light green
to reddish bitter fruits. The tree's relatively small height (6 to 14 feet) and three seasons of interest
make it a good candidate for a focal point in the residential landscape.
California: California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
By the 1700s, when Spanish sailors dubbed poppy-blanketed California the "land of fire," indigenous
peoples had long valued the wildflower for food and medicine. Emblematic of the Golden State, it's a
drought-tolerant, easy-to-sow perennial in mild climates and a winning annual elsewhere, blooming
in spring sunshine and closing at night. Sow seeds in well-drained soil and pull most plants once
they've faded, but let some go to seed. The most familiar California poppy is orange-gold, but
selections range widely: 'Carmine King' has red ruffles with white centers, 'Mission Bells' is a semidouble mix of hues (shown), and 'Thai Silk Lemon Blush' is yellow-cream.
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Colorado: Rocky Mountain Columbine
Aquilegia caerulea
Blue stands for sky, white for snow, and yellow for the state's gold-mining history in this hardy
perennial, which got the Colorado children's vote in 1899. Later, "Where the Columbines Grow"
became the state song, enhancing the appeal of the fragrant wildlife magnet. If you sow seeds in fall,
the plants sprout in spring but take another year to bloom. For a head start, plant seedlings in
spring, keep them moist, and deadhead flowers to encourage more. Though the Colorado native
(shown) is the familiar blue and white, cultivars include dwarf variety 'Red Hobbit' and multihued
'Origami Mix.'
Connecticut: Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
This fragrant, star-shaped flower was first recorded in America in 1624 by Captain John Smith and
was designated Connecticut's state flower in 1907. A plant with a pastNative Americans made

spoons from the woodthis dense evergreen shrub adapts to a variety of light conditions (partial
shade to full sun). Mountain laurel blooms from late spring to midsummer. All parts of the plant are
toxic if ingested, so keep away from children and pets.
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Delaware: Peach Blossom
Prunus persica
In the late 19th century, Delaware's orchards were producing so many peachesmore than 800,000
fruits annuallythat the state came to be known as the Peach State. This moniker prompted
lawmakers to pass an act, in 1895, adopting the peach blossom as the state flower. A deciduous tree
with glossy leaves that follow showy spring flowers, it grows to a modest 25 feet tall, making it a
good candidate for a backyard orchard in warmer zones.
Florida: Orange Blossom
Citrus sinensis
Adopted as the state flower by the legislature in 1909, millions of these legendarily fragrant white
flowers scent the air throughout central and south Florida each spring. Upright, pyramidal flower
clusters turn into fruit the following autumn or winter. A compact, evergreen tree that's easy to
grow in warmer climates, this citrus tree can be successfully grown as an indoor plant where
winters dip below freezing.
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Georgia: Cherokee Rose
Rosa laevigata
This spring bloomer achieved state-flower status in 1916 under the false impression that it was
native to the region. Despite its Chinese origins, the rose has grown naturally throughout the
southeast for centuries and became a symbol of hope to the Cherokees who were forced to march
the infamous Trail of Tears in 1838. The sprawling climber easily reaches 20 feet in height, and
while its sweet-scented flowers are fleeting, its plump orange hips and evergreen foliage offer color
in later seasons.
Hawaii: Yellow Hibiscus
Hibiscus brackenridgei
Though the hibiscus was designated the territorial flower in 1922, it wasn't until 1988 that the
particular species Hibiscus brackenridgei was chosen by the Hawaii state legislature. A sun-loving,
profuse bloomer, this shrub is covered in large, pure yellow flowers in spring and early summer. Due
to its status on the federal endangered species list, Hawaiians are encouraged to plant this hibiscus,
known to the locals as ma'o hau hele, in their home gardens.
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Idaho: Lewis's Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii
First discovered and collected by Meriwether Lewishalf of the famed explorer duoand noted in his
journal in 1806, this deciduous shrub was a favorite of Native Americans for making bows, arrows,
cradles, and other utilitarian goods. Designated Idaho's state flower over a decade later, in 1931,
Philadelphus lewisii grows in full sun or partial shade and tops out at about 10 feet tall. Clusters of
small white flowers with a rich orange-blossom scent bloom from late spring to midsummer.
Illinois: Common Violet
Viola sororia
Voted in by schoolchildren in 1908, the native wildflower, with its purple-to-white-petaled blooms
and heart-shaped leaves, is a common sight in the state's fields and woodlands. Despite its dainty
appearance, the violet makes a tough garden plant. The self-sowing groundcover is highly deer
resistant, tolerates clay soil, and thrives in full sun in cooler climates or partial shade in warmer
zones.
Indiana: Peony
Paeonia lactiflora
The peony was designated the Hoosier State's flower in 1957. It was the fourth different bloom to
hold the title in less than 100 years, replacing the carnation, the flower of the tulip tree, and the
zinnia. Once established, peonies are winter hardy, relatively pest-free, and can live for 50 years or
longer. Early-summer bloomers, peony blossoms may be single, semi-double, or double (such as
'Sarah Bernhardt,' shown), in a range of colors from white to pink to dark red.
Read about the 35 other state flowers at This Old House Magazine.
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