The Wild Rose: lowa’s Enduring State Flower

May 5, 1897

Dearest readers,

Today, we celebrate the official selection of Iowa’s State Flower—the cherished wild rose, a beloved bloom that greeted Iowa’s pioneers as they settled its vast prairies.

Yet, in a twist of botanical mystery, the Iowa legislature declared the wild rose as the state’s emblem without specifying which variety reigned supreme. Iowa proudly hosts three native wild roses: Rosa arkansana, Rosa blanda (known as the meadow rose), and Rosa carolina. Among these, the modest Rosa blanda often enjoys the most excellent favor as Iowa’s true floral ambassador.

A more recent chapter in this floral saga unfolded in 2006 when Maranda Olson, a gifted fifth-grade artist, captured the spirit of the wild rose with vibrant oil pastels. Her masterpiece won a nationwide contest and earned her a special journey to Washington, D.C., where her artwork graced the halls of the new National Garden.

The Des Moines Register celebrated:

“More than 5,000 students nationwide submitted artwork for the state flower contest. One student from each state was selected by a panel of art specialists and botanists.

Art teacher Karen Skophammer… had a gut feeling Maranda might win and took a photo of the drawing before sending it to the contest. ‘In my heart, I knew that it was outstanding,’ Skophammer said. ‘Maranda is quite talented.’

Maranda guessed why she won and acknowledged that she barely looked at the technical photo of the wild rose. ‘I off-centered the flowers.

Most other people put it right in the middle,’ she said. ‘I looked at a picture in the beginning, but not while I was drawing or coloring it.’”

Sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro, the contest delighted company officials with the astounding participation.

But allow me to share with you one more tale about Iowa’s prized flower.

In 1897, Major Samuel H. M. Byers of Oskaloosa worked tirelessly behind the scenes with Senator Mitchell to secure legislation honoring the wild rose.

A Civil War veteran, Major Byers was renowned not only for his service but also for penning the stirring lyrics to “Sherman’s March to the Sea” while imprisoned in Columbia, South Carolina.

Later, he composed the poem “Song of Iowa,” which became the heartfelt lyrics of The Rose of Iowa, the state song:

Hast thou seen the wild rose of the West,
Thou sweetest child of morn?
Its feet the dewy fields have pressed,
Its breath is on the corn.

The gladsome prairie rolls and sweeps,
Like billows to the sea,
While on its breast, the red rose keeps
The white rose company.

The wild, wild rose, whose fragrance dear
To every breeze is hung,
Tho same wild rose that blossomed here
When Iowa was young.

Oh, sons of heroes, ever wear
The wild rose on your shield;
No other flower is half so fair
In love's immortal field.

Let others sing of mountain snows,
Or palms beside the sea,
The State whose emblem is the rose
Is the fairest far to me.

A majestic ode to a flower—and a state—that continues to bloom bright in the hearts of Iowans.