Josephine Margetts and the Violet’s Victory: How New Jersey Found Its Flower
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
February 16, 1971
Dearest reader,
On this day in 1971, the violet—New Jersey's charming and humble state flower—was officially adopted by the legislature, thanks to the steadfast efforts of Senator Josephine Margetts.
Imagine the scene: Josephine, a dedicated environmental crusader who owned a nursery and orchard with her husband Walter, championing the beauty and significance of this delicate spring bloom.
Before this, New Jersey had been the last state without an official state flower, despite violets' long-standing presence, which was considered back in 1913.
It was Josephine's proposal that ultimately brought the violet its rightful status.
When the bill was debated, Senator Joseph J. Maraziti’s playful poetry lent a touch of wit to the proceedings:
“Roses are red,
Violets are blue
If you vote for this bill
Mrs. Margetts will love you.”
With a final vote of 30 to 1, the legislation passed, the sole dissenter being a gentleman who professed, “I'm a marigold man.”
But as Josephine surely knew, violets hold a special place in the language of flowers, or floriography. Their heart-shaped leaves whisper affection, love, faith, and dignity, while their colors add layers of meaning—blue for love, white for purity, and yellow for goodness and esteem.
Have you ever paused to notice violets carpeting fields, lawns, and woodlands with their shy, unassuming charm?
Though often regarded as modest, these hardy flowers are a testament to resilience and quiet beauty. What wisdom might the violet offer to the gardener who understands its language and lore?
Could it be that in their gentle presence lies a reminder of nurture, loyalty, and subtle grace?
So next time a violet blooms in your garden, ponder the story of Senator Margetts, her poetic defenders, and the enduring symbolism carried by this delicate plant that graces New Jersey’s fields every spring.
