December 14, 1819: Alabama Picks the Camellia as the State Flower

Camellias

The Beautiful Camellia December 14, 1819 On this day, Alabama became the 22nd state to join the Union. Forty years later, the Camellia (“kah-MEE-lee-ah”) became the official state flower of Alabama. Before that, Alabama’s state flower was the Goldenrod. Camellia is an evergreen plant in the tea family. The flower size of Camellias can range…

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December 14, 2020 New Apple Variety in Wiltshire, John Claudius Loudon, Richard Hale Goodwin, John Bannister Tabb, Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee De La Foret and the State Flower of Alabama

20200101 The Daily Gardener Album Cover

Today we celebrate the English garden writer who fell in love with one of the world’s first science fiction writers – and she turned out to be a woman. We’ll also learn about the Connecticut botanist and conservations who created a new undergraduate degree program he called Human Ecology. We’ll hear a delightful interview with…

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August 18, 2020 Houseplants and Air Quality, Benjamin Alvord, Olav Hauge, Ozaki’s Cherry Trees, the Camperdown Elm, World Daffodil Day, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Piet Oudolf and Henk Gerritsen, and the Cherokee Rose

20200101 The Daily Gardener Album Cover

Today we celebrate the Brigadier General, who described the Compass Plant. We’ll also learn about the Norwegian poet who gardened and tended 70 apple trees. We remember the gift given to American by the Mayor of Tokyo. We also honor an extraordinary tree that was discovered on the estate of the first Earl of Camperdown.…

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Hawaii’s State Flower: the Hibiscus

Hawaii Hibiscus

“Fifty years later, in 1973, Hawaiian Airlines introduced its new corporate image, Pualani – meaning Flower of the Sky.” June 6, 1988 On this day, Hawaii changed its state flower from the native red Hibiscus (Hibiscus kokio) to the only species of yellow Hibiscus, the Hawaiian Hibiscus – ma’o hau hele. A Hibiscus has been…

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New Hampshire’s State Flower: the Purple Lilac

Purple Lilac

“So today, we are placing root cuttings in the earth of the Capitol grounds from the very first lilacs ever to come to America. We are very proud of this little flower, which is uniquely ours, and as I plant these roots today, I ask you to join with me in the hope that they…

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The Kentucky Floral Emblem: Goldenrod

Goldenrod

“Goldenrod has a lot of haters; many people confuse it for ragweed. I hate even to say that – because I think that makes people think they must look similar. That’s just not true.” May 16, 1926 On this day, Kentucky selected the Goldenrod as its State Flower.    Previously, Kentucky’s flower had been the…

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How the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair Started the State Flowers Trend

Purple Violets

“After the World’s Fair, states began adopting floral emblems. Some states acted quickly, and others took their time.” May 1, 1893 On this day, the Chicago World’s Fair opened and drew more than 27 million visitors.   The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair developed the concept of the state flower.   At the World’s Fair, each…

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The Woman Behind Michigan’s State Flower: Anna Eliza Reed Woodcock

Anna Eliza Reed Woodcock

“Annie had been looking out her kitchen window at her apple trees in full bloom. She suddenly thought they would make a great State Flower.” April 19, 1897 On this day, Anna Eliza Reed Woodcock took some branches off her flowering apple tree. She brought them via wheelbarrow down Capitol Avenue to the Michigan Statehouse.…

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