The Violet’s Bittersweet Victory: Triumph in Illinois, Tribulation in Fashion

On This Day
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:

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July 1, 1908

On this day, dear readers, a most curious confluence of events occurred in the world of flora and fashion.

While the humble violet ascended to official glory in one corner of our nation, it found itself unceremoniously dethroned in another.

Oh, the capricious nature of human fancy!

Let us first turn our attention to the great state of Illinois, where democracy bloomed in the most delightful manner.

The children of the state, those unencumbered arbiters of taste, were entrusted with the weighty decision of selecting their state flower.

And what a choice they made!

The purple violet, that sweet harbinger of spring, emerged victorious with a resounding 15,591 votes.

Its nearest rival, the wild rose, trailed behind with a respectable 11,903 votes.

But wait, there's more!

These young horticulturists didn't stop at ground level. No, indeed!

They cast their eyes skyward and selected the majestic white oak as their state tree.

One can only imagine the animated discussions in schoolyards across Illinois as children debated the merits of various flora and fauna.

Yet, as the violet basked in its newfound official status in Illinois, a most perplexing turn of events was unfolding in the world of high society. Newspapers across the land were boldly proclaiming, "the reign of the violet is over."

Can you believe it, dear gardeners? Our beloved violet, cast aside like last season's bonnet!

Strange and unbelievable, but a fact, nevertheless, violets are no longer fashionable.

Oh, the fickleness of fashion!

How it wounds the heart of any true lover of nature's beauty!

Gardenias, orchids and American Beauty roses are as much in evidence as ever, but the reign of the violet is temporarily over.

Fear not, dear readers, for our humble violet has not been entirely banished from polite society.

It seems a concession has been made:

It is true that a large bunch of deep purple violets relieved by a single mauve orchid, a deep pink rose, or a single waxlike gardenia is still an acceptable gift, but it is not the gift that is so frequently' chosen this year, as a small cluster of gardenias or even of two or three exquisitely beautiful orchids...

Can you imagine, dear friends, the audacity of replacing a bountiful bouquet of violets with a mere handful of gardenias or orchids?

One shudders to think of the disappointment on the faces of cottage gardeners across the land!

But wait, what's this?

A new contender has entered the floral fray, straight from the fashion capital of the world:

A new flower hailing from Paris is the pink American Beauty, and well does it deserve the name... the color is an adorable shade of shell pink, and for all decorative purposes tins flower has already a firmly established place in fashion's regard.

Ah, Paris! Always leading the charge in matters of style.

But let us not be too hasty to discard our beloved native blooms in favor of these foreign imports, no matter how fetching their hue!

As we reflect on these tumultuous events in the world of floriculture, one cannot help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for a more genteel era:

... one cannot but regret the sense of chivalry of a generation back, when etiquette demanded that flowers be sent always to a hostess before even the least formal entertainment, and when a debutante had better stay at home than go to a ball without her ... little bouquet of flowers.

Indeed, dear readers, let us take a moment to lament the passing of such charming customs.

But fear not! For we, the true lovers of gardens and all things that bloom, shall keep these traditions alive in our own little corners of the world.

So, let us raise our watering cans in a toast to the violet – may it reign supreme in our gardens, if not in the fickle world of high fashion.

And to the children of Illinois, we offer our heartfelt thanks for recognizing the timeless beauty of this humble yet exquisite flower.

Until next time, may your borders be ever vibrant and your violets ever resilient!

Violets facing the sun
Violets facing the sun

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