Knowledge from Olle Garden Bed: Official State Flowers that Add Color to Gardens

According to the list of state flowers published by the United States National Arboretum, each state in the federation and some territories of the United States have official state flowers. In addition to the national flower of the United States, each state has an official tree, and some states even include a wildflower in their official state flower list. To learn more about the flower of your state or how to use the state flower to add color to your garden area, please continue reading. he following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.

Adding Color to Gardens with State Flowers

Information from the list of state flowers in the United States indicates that state flowers are not necessarily native to the state or even the country. In fact, some adopted plants were not originally American flowers but have adapted well to the states that chose them. So why do states adopt state flowers in the first place? The selection of official state flowers is based on the beauty and colors they provide, guiding gardeners to use state flowers to add color to garden areas or the surrounding landscape.

It's worth noting that several states have chosen the same flower as their state flower, including Louisiana and Mississippi, both of which chose the magnolia as their state flower. One state, Maine, chose the white pine cone and tassel, which is not a flower at all. Arkansas, North Carolina, and several other states chose flowers on trees as their official state flowers. The official flower of the United States is the rose, but many argue that it should be the sunflower.

This controversy led to the adoption of some state flowers. In 1919, school children in Tennessee were allowed to choose a state flower, and they picked the passion flower, which briefly served as the state flower. Many years later, a garden club in Memphis successfully changed it to the iris, which had gained recognition for its cultivation there. This was accomplished in 1930 and sparked much debate among Tennessee residents. Many citizens at the time believed that choosing a state flower was just another way for elected officials to waste time.

List of State Flowers in the United States

Here is the official list of state flowers in the United States:

Alabama - The flowers of the camellia (Camellia japonica) range from white to pink, red, and even yellow.

Alaska - Forget-me-nots (Myosotis alpestris subsp. asiatica) have lovely light blue flowers, and their seed pods stick to almost anything, making them unforgettable.

Arizona - The saguaro cactus flower (Carnegiea gigantea) opens at night, revealing waxy, white, fragrant blooms.

Arkansas - Apple blossom (Malus domestica) has pink and white petals and green leaves.

California - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) comes in shades ranging from yellow to orange.

Colorado - The Colorado blue columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) has beautiful white and light purple flowers.

Connecticut - Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a native shrub that produces abundant fragrant white and pink flowers.

Delaware - Peach blossom (Prunus persica) appears in early spring and is pale pink in color.

District of Columbia - The rose (Rosa 'American Beauty') comes in various varieties and colors, and it is considered one of the most popular and widely cultivated flowers in the world.

Florida - The orange blossom (Citrus sinensis) is a white, highly fragrant flower that blooms on orange trees.

Georgia - The Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata) has a waxy white flower with a golden center and many thorns on its stem.

Hawaii - Pua aloalo (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is a yellow hibiscus flower native to the Hawaiian Islands.

Idaho - The syringa or mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii) is a branching shrub with clusters of white, fragrant flowers.

Illinois - The purple violet (Viola) is a common wildflower that blooms in vibrant shades of purple in the spring.

Indiana - The peony (Paeonia lactiflora) blooms in various shades of red, pink, and white, and in single and double forms.

Iowa - The wild prairie rose (Rosa arkansana) is a summer-blooming wildflower with varying shades of pink and yellow stamens at its center.

Kansas - The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) can be yellow, red, orange, or other colors and is typically tall, although there are smaller varieties.

Kentucky - The goldenrod (Solidago) has bright golden-yellow flower heads that bloom in late summer.

Louisiana - The magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) produces large, fragrant white flowers.

Maine - The white pine cone and tassel (Pinus strobus) has long, slender blue-green needles and elongated cones.

Maryland - The black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) features charming yellow flowers with a dark purplish-brown center.

Massachusetts - The trailing arbutus or mayflower (Epigaea repens) has small white or pink flowers that typically bloom in May.

Michigan - The apple blossom (Malus domestica) is a pink and white flower that blooms on apple trees.

Minnesota - The pink and white lady's slipper (Cypripedium reginae) is a wildflower found in marshes, bogs, and moist woodlands.

Mississippi - The magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) produces large, fragrant white flowers.

Missouri - The hawthorn tree (Crataegus spp.) has white flowers that grow in clusters on hawthorn trees.

Montana - The bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) is composed of beautiful pinkish-purple flowers.

Nebraska - The goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) has bright golden-yellow inflorescence and blooms in late summer.

New Hampshire - The lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is highly fragrant and commonly seen in shades of purple or light purple, but it also comes in white, light yellow, pink, and even deep wine red.

New Jersey - The violet (Viola sororia) is a common and easy-to-grow wildflower that produces vibrant purple flowers in spring.

New Mexico - The yucca (Yucca glauca) is a symbol of toughness and beauty with its sharp leaves and ivory-colored flowers.

New York - The rose (Rosa) has numerous varieties and colors and is considered one of the most popular and widely cultivated flowers in the world.

North Carolina - The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is most commonly seen in white, as well as pink or red.

North Dakota - The wild prairie rose (Rosa arkansana) is a summer-blooming wildflower with varying shades of pink and yellow stamens at its center.

Ohio - The scarlet carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a striking red carnation variety with grayish-blue leaves.

Oklahoma - The mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is a major element in Christmas decorations with its dark green leaves and white berries.

Oregon - The Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) has waxy green leaves similar to holly and produces delicate yellow flowers that turn into dark blue berries.

Pennsylvania - The mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) produces beautiful pink flowers reminiscent of rhododendrons.

Rhode Island - The violet (Viola palmata) is a common and easy-to-grow wildflower that produces vibrant purple flowers in spring.

South Carolina - The yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a vine with abundant yellow, funnel-shaped flowers that emit a captivating fragrance.

South Dakota - The pasque flower (Anemone patens var. multifida) is a small lavender flower and one of the earliest spring bloomers.

Tennessee - The iris (Iris germanica) comes in various colors, but the purple German iris is the most popular variety in the state.

Texas - The bluebonnet (Lupinus spp.) is named for its color and flower shape resembling a woman's sunbonnet.

Utah - The sego lily (Calochortus spp.) has white, pale purple, or yellow flowers and can grow up to 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) tall.

Vermont - The red clover (Trifolium pratense) is similar to its white counterpart but has deep pink flowers with lighter base colors.

Virginia - The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is most commonly seen in white, as well as pink or red.

Washington - The coast rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) features beautiful pink to purple flowers.

West Virginia - The rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) is known for its large, dark-colored, evergreen leaves, and its light pink or white flowers have spots of red or yellow.

Wisconsin - The violet (Viola sororia) is a common and easy-to-grow wildflower that produces vibrant purple flowers in spring.

Wyoming - The Indian paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia) has bright red bracts, resembling a paintbrush dipped in intense red paint.

In conclusion, these state flowers add color and charm to the gardens of each state in the United States. Whether it's the uniqueness of the state flowers or the representation of the characteristics of their respective states, they play an important role in gardens. If you have the opportunity to visit these states, take notice and appreciate their beauty. Whether you are cultivating a garden or exploring the cultural and natural features of different states, these state flowers are a captivating part of it. Let's admire these beautiful state flowers together and bring a splash of vibrant color to our gardens.