State Flower Archives

January 19, 2021 Three Gorgeous Ways to Group Containers, Alice Eastwood, Carlotta Case Hall, The Magic of Light, Windcliff by Daniel J. Hinkley, and the Soapy State Flower of New Mexico: the Yucca

The Daily Gardener Podcast Album Cover with a pot of rosemary - the herb for remembrance - beckoning gardeners to remember to listen to the show. Updated September 2025.

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

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…

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

Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Support The Daily Gardener Buy Me A Coffee Connect for FREE! The Friday Newsletter | Daily Gardener Community Curated News New variety of apple discovered by Wiltshire runner | The Guardian Archie Thomas stumbled across solitary windfall fruit that could be a cross between a…

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

William Livingston Larned’s Ode to the Orange Blossom – Florida’s State Flower

W. Livingston Larned, The Orange Blossom Poet

“But just a scent, On pleasure bent, Of orange sweet, The nostrils greet, And from our dreams, the castles rise, Of groves and meadows ‘neath calm skies. November 15, 1909 On this day, the orange blossom was designated the state flower of Florida. The poet, William Livingston Larned, was so inspired by the choice that…

Golden Legacy: Honoring the Botanical Friendship Behind the Naming of California’s State Flower

Adelbert von Chamisso German poet writer and botanist named the California Poppy for his friend Friedrich von Eschscholtz.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. October 1, 1916 On this day, dear gardeners, we commemorate a most delightful anniversary in the annals of California’s horticultural history. It was on this very date that the State Flower of California…

Hawaii’s State Flower: the 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…

New Hampshire’s State Flower: the 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…

The Kentucky Floral Emblem: Goldenrod

A close-up photograph of goldenrod, featuring delicate, branching stems topped with clusters of tiny golden-yellow flowers. The background is filled with a soft, warm golden hue, highlighting the plant's characteristic autumn color and its presence in meadows or fields.

“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…

The Rise and Fall of Delaware’s Peachy Empire

Peaches are a stone fruit, characterized by a large, hard pit or "stone" in the center. They grow on deciduous trees that typically fruit on the previous year's wood.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. May 9, 1888 On this day in 1888, the fair state of Delaware adorned itself with a most becoming floral emblem. The Peach Blossom, that harbinger of spring’s sweet promise, was elected to…

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

“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…

The Woman Behind Michigan’s State Flower: 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.…