Official State Flowers
By:
Published: July 25, 2006
Alabama
Alabama's flower is the Camellia. Legislation was passed in 1959 and again in 1999 to make this the official state flower.
Alaska
Forget Me Nots are Alaska's state flowers. The best time to see this flower, which is sky blue with a white inner-ring, is in mid-to late summer.
Arizona
Saguaro Cactus Blossom is Arizona's flower.
Arkansas
The Apple Blossom, which is also Michigan's flower, has pink and white petals and green leaves. Arkansas was at one time a major apple-producing state.
California
California Poppys are California's state flowers, and became so in 1903. Also called the flame flower, this flower grows wild in California.
Colorado
The Rocky Mountain Columbine was adopted as the state flower in 1899. Since then, it has been protected by state law, which prohibits digging or uprooting the flower on public land.
Connecticut
Connecticut's state flower, the Mountain Laurel, became so in 1907. It is considered one of the most beautiful native shrubs.
Delaware
In 1895, the Peach Blossom was named the state flower because at the time, Delaware was a large peach producer and was known as the Peach State.
Florida
It's no surprise that Florida's state flowers are Orange Blossoms. These white, fragrant flowers perfume the air during blossom season.
Georgia
The Cherokee Rose is Georgia's official flower, and gets its name from the Indians who used to distribute the thorny plant.
Hawaii
It wasn't until 1988 that the yellow hibiscus, the Pua Aloalo, became the official flower. Until then, any color hibiscus was accepted.
Idaho
The Syringa-Mock Orange, which is a branching shrub with clusters of fragrant white flowers, became Idaho's official flower in 1931.
Illinois
Purple Violets are Illinois' state flowers, and are the most recognizable wildflowers in the state. These flowers can grow in any amount of sunlight and its petals are edible.
Indiana
The Peony wasn't adopted as Indiana's official flower until 1957. Until that time, the state flowers were Zinnias.
Iowa
Wild Prairie Roses are the state flowers of Iowa. They can be found throughout the state and bloom from June until late summer.
Kansas
Sunflowers set the long straight roads of Kansas ablaze when they begin blooming in July. There are 11 species of sunflower in Kansas.
Kentucky
The Goldenrod, which is in the Sunflower family, is the official flower of the Blue Grass State. Out of the 100 species of this flower, 30 are native to Kentucky alone.
Louisiana
Magnolias, Louisana's state flowers, are fragrant, large and creamy white. The Magnolia tree is an evergreen.
Maine
The White Pine Cone and Tassel is Maine's official flower. The White Pine Tree is considered the largest conifer in the northeastern United States.
Maryland
The Black-eyed Susan officially became Maryland's flower in 1918, when it was designated the floral emblem of the state.
Massachusetts
The flower clusters of the Trailing Arbutus can be seen from March to May. It is also known as the Mayflower.
Michigan
The Apple Blossom is not only Arkansas' state flower, it was declared Michigan's official flower in 1897.
Minnesota
Pink and White Lady's Slippers take up to 16 years to produce their first flowers. It was named as the state's flower in 1902.
Mississippi
Magnolias are not just Mississippi's state flowers, they are also the state trees.
Missouri
The White Hawthorn Blossom was named as the state's flower in 1923. It is commonly found in the southern parts of the state.
Montana
The Bitterroot, which is a beautiful purplish-pink flower, was once used by Indians for food and trade.
Nebraska
Numerous species of Goldenrod grow throughout the state. It was named as the state's flower in 1895.
Nevada
The aromatic, woody Sagebrush is Nevada's state flower. It blooms from late summer into fall.
New Hampshire
The Purple Lilac was named as the state's flower in 1919 because "it is symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State," according to a historian.
New Jersey
It took 58 years to name the Common Meadow Violet the official flower of New Jersey.
New Mexico
The Yucca Flower is a member of the lily family; it is a symbol of sturdiness and beauty. This state flower, which has pale ivory blooms, can grow to the height of a small tree.
New York
Roses have been New York's state flowers as of 1955. Roses are one of the most popular- and highly cultivated- flowers in the world.
North Carolina
The American Dogwood is one of the most prevalent trees in the state. These state flowers bloom in early spring and are most often white, though it is not uncommon to find them in shades of red..
North Dakota
The Wild Prairie Rose grows along roadsides, in pastures and in meadows in North Dakota.
Ohio
The Scarlet Carnation is the fruit of the buckeye tree which has symbolized Ohio since the mid-1800s, although the flower was not chosen as the official flower until 1904.
Oklahoma
Mistletoe was adopted as the official flower 14 years before statehood. Its dark green leaves and white berries appear vibrant in the fall and winter when other trees have shed their leaves.
Oregon
The Oregon Grape is native to much of the Pacific Coast. It is a low growing plant which resembles holly. Its fruit, which ripens in late fall, can be used in cooking.
Pennsylvania
Mountain Laurels bloom in mid-June. These pink flowers, which fill Pennsylvania's woodlands, became state flowers in 1933.
Rhode Island
Just like Illinois, Wisconsin and New Jersey, Violets are also Rhode Island's state flowers.
South Carolina
Yellow Jessamines are South Carolina's state flowers because, among other reasons, they're found in every part of the state and they're the first indication of Spring.
South Dakota
The Pasque Flower, a member of the buttercup family, is a small, lavender flower whose blooming is one of the first signs of spring in South Dakota.
Tennessee
The Iris was designated state flower in 1933. While there are several different colors of iris, the purple iris is the commonly accepted state flower.
Texas
Bluebonnets are named for their color and their petal's resemblance to a woman's sunbonnet. This flower can be found along roadsides in central and south Texas.
Utah
The Sego Lily's roots served as food during a period of food scarcity in the mid-1800s in Utah. The memory of this use caused it to be named state flower by the Legislature.
Vermont
The Red Clover is not a native of Vermont, but was naturalized from Europe. It is symbolic of Vermont's scenic countryside.
Virginia
American Dogwood was named state flower because it supported a feeling of pride and interest in the history of the state.
Washington
Coast Rhododendrons were selected as state flowers by the women of Washington even before they had the right to vote.
West Virginia
The Rhododendron or great laurel was selected as state flower in 1903. It is characterized by dark green leaves and delicate pale pink or white bloom.
Wisconsin
The Wood Violet was chosen by school children as state flower. The flower holds the same title in Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Wyoming
Indian Paintbrush or Painted Cup was chosen as state flower in 1917. The flowers are usually enveloped by bright red petals.
