Winter is over, according to the calendar, and there is one sure sign of a change in the seasons — spring flowers are starting to bloom.

More and more flowers blossom as spring progresses, including forget-me-nots and peonies. These have often been planted and cared for by devoted gardeners, requiring an investment of time and money.

In fact, gardening and flowers are big business. Sales at U.S. nursery and garden stores were estimated at $47.8 billion in 2018, according to Garden Research, which provides data on the consumer lawn and garden market. A recent survey showed more American households, 77% are gardening than ever before.

It’s clear that Americans like to grow and give and get flowers. But which flowers do they like the best? Like official state trees and official pets or animals in each state, now that spring is here, 24/7 Wall St. has identified the most popular flowers, including the state official flowers, in every state.

While flowers such as the rose — the U.S. national flower — have fans everywhere, there are differences in taste related to geography and climate, with flowers growing at the lowest and highest points in the United States. We also decided to identify the most popular flowers, including the state official flowers, in every state.

To identify the most popular flowers in each state, 24/7 Wall St. used the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties to find in each state the cut and planted flowers with the highest annual sales. Cuts can pertain to any part of the flower, including blooms, stems, and spikes.

Click here to see the most popular flowers in every state.

1. Alabama
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Camellia

Pansies, the most popular planted flower in Alabama with sales of $3.8 million, are usually the first annuals to bloom. They flower in a variety of colors such as blue, lavender, purple and white in early spring and through most of the summer. Gardeners tend to plant pansies in the shade in places like Alabama to withstand the higher temperatures of the dog days of summer

Goldenrod, a flower native to much of the U.S., was Alabama’s state flower for almost 30 years, but it was bumped from this position by the more exotic camellia in 1959. The camellia is originally from Asia. Sometimes called the rose of winter, it is easy to grow and has large flowers that come in a range of colors, including white, red, and yellow.

[in-text-ad]

2. Alaska
> Most popular cut flower: Peony (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Forget-Me-Not

The geranium is garden stalwart and is the most popular planted flower in Alaska, with sales of $1.4 million. Colors for geraniums include orange, pink, purple, and red. The flower can grow up to 3 feet in height and 2 feet in width and is low maintenance. It can bloom throughout the year.

Alaska adopted the wild native alpine forget-me-not as its official floral emblem in 1917, long before it was even a state. The small, blue flower, which is found throughout the state, blooms from spring through August. In 1927, an Alaskan Native boy named Benny Benson won a contest to design a flag for the territory. He submitted this description with his design: “The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear – symbolizing strength.”

3. Arizona
> Most popular cut flower: Zinnia (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Saguaro

Arizona’s official state flower is the blossom of the saguaro cactus, which is familiar to anybody who has ever seen a western movie. It is native to Arizona, California, and Mexico. The scientific name, Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea, is in honor of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who established a laboratory for native plant research. Arizona’s most popular cut flower, the zinnia, is native to North America but is named after German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn.

4. Arkansas
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Apple Blossom

There are actually dozens of different species of sunflower, the most popular cut flower in Arkansas, and almost all of which are native to North America. Sunflowers are an important agricultural crop. Its oil is used in cooking, and sunflower seeds can be eaten as a snack.

The apple blossom has been the official floral emblem of Arkansas since 1901. It was chosen in part because of the apple’s importance to the state economy at the time — 400 varieties were grown in the state. Production has declined sharply in recent decades, but the apple remains a popular symbol locally.

[in-text-ad-2]

5. California
> Most popular cut flower: Gerbera daisy (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: California Poppy

Gerbera daisy, the most popular cut flower in California, is native to South Africa. The flowers do well in strong sun and in soil with good drainage. Gerbera daisies, with sales of $33.9 million in California, need frequent watering during growing season. The flowers can be found in pink, yellow, salmon, orange and white, and grow up to 5 inches in width..

The California poppy was chosen as the state flower by the California State Floral Society in 1890, but it was not adopted by the state legislature until 1903. It grows throughout the state and was valued by Native Americans as a food source and for its oil. The California poppy flowers from February to September. Its fan-shaped petals are bright orange and yellow — an appropriate symbol for the Golden State.

6. Colorado
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: White and Lavender Columbine

The white and lavender columbine is a mountain wildflower. It was discovered by a climber on Pike’s Peak in 1820 and became the official state flower of Colorado in 1899. It blooms in late spring in the colors described in its name. Although it’s a wild flower, the white and lavender columbine is popular with gardeners because it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

[in-text-ad]

7. Connecticut
> Most popular cut flower: Zinnia (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Mountain Laurel

Zinnias, the most popular cut flower in Connecticut, is a gardener’s dream: low maintenance, tolerant of heat and drought, and it bursts with spectacular spectrum of colors (except for blue). The tall variety, or Benary’s Giant, is ideal for cutting because it can grow up to 3 feet tall, has large flowers, and strong stems.

8. Delaware
> Most popular cut flower: Zinnia (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Peach Blossom

The peach blossom has been Delaware’s state flower since 1895, when it was known as the “Peach State.” While Delaware still grows a lot of peaches — about 2 million pounds a year — its harvest has been surpassed by states like California.

9. Florida
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Orange Blossom

Florida is synonymous with oranges, so it’s not surprising that the state flower is the orange blossom. Between hurricanes and disease, however, the Florida orange industry has been seriously battered in recent years and production has fallen to its lowest levels in over 50 years.

[in-text-ad-2]

10. Georgia
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Cherokee Rose

Although the Cherokee rose is native to China, it was brought to North America in the 1700s and has since naturalized throughout the more temperate southern states. It was cultivated by the Cherokee Indians, hence its name.

11. Hawaii
> Most popular cut flower: Lei flowers, all
> Most popular planted flower: Begonia
> Official state flower: Hibiscus

Begonias are the most popular planted flower in Hawaii for a reason — they are easy to grow, do well in various conditions, and don’t need a lot of maintenance. Begonias can be found in orange, pink, white, and yellow varieties. They can grow to a height of up to 3 feet, and a width of 12 inches.

There are seven species of hibiscus native to Hawaii, and the yellow one has been the state flower since 1988. It appears as both a sprawling shrub and as a tall tree. The main flowering season is January through March. Unfortunately, it is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

[in-text-ad]

12. Idaho
> Most popular cut flower: Gladioli (spikes)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Syringa

Gladioli are popular as cut flowers because of their long, spiky shape. They bloom in the summer, from the base to the top of the spike. The name is derived from the Latin word for sword, gladius, and the flowers were associated with the gladiators of ancient Rome. Gladioli became popular in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The American Gladiolus Society was founded in 1910.

13. Illinois
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Violet

The violet became the official state flower of Illinois in 1908. It grows across the state and has a long flowering season, lasting almost all spring and summer. The most common species is the dooryard violet, which will grow just about anywhere. The dooryard violet has a neat trick — it produces different flowers at different times of year. The spring flowers are the large purple ones people associate with violets. These are succeeded later in the year by smaller, closed flowers that produce most of the seeds.

14. Indiana
> Most popular cut flower: Peony (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Peony

Indiana adopted the peony as its state flower in 1957. While the hardy plant thrives in the state’s climate, it is was originally grown in China. The easy to care for Peony plants can live as long as 100 years, and they produce extravagant, showy blossoms in late spring. Some varieties can have 10-inch flowers — “roses as big as cabbages,” as Marco Polo described them.

[in-text-ad-2]

15. Iowa
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Wild Rose

The wild rose, which is native to Iowa, blooms faithfully every summer in the dry flat landscape. The fragrant pink blossom became the state flower in 1897. When selecting it the state flower, lawmakers included all three species of it that grow in Iowa — the blanda, carolina, and arkansana.

16. Kansas
> Most popular cut flower: Celosia (bunches)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Sunflower

The official state flower of Kansas is Helianthus annuus, or the common sunflower. There are actually dozens of different species of sunflower, almost all of which are native to North America. Sunflowers are an important agricultural crop. Sunflower oil is used in cooking, and sunflower seeds are used as an ingredient or eaten as a snack.

[in-text-ad]

17. Kentucky
> Most popular cut flower: Hydrangea (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Goldenrod

Hydrangeas flower from June through August, after most shrubs are done flowering. Hydrangea macrophylla, or big leaf hydrangea, is the species most commonly grown in Kentucky. It produces large flowers that are white, pink, or blue, depending on the acidity of the soil. Another popular species is Hydrangea arborescens, or smooth hydrangea, which produces large white blooms.

18. Louisiana
> Most popular cut flower: Iris (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Magnolia

There are about 200 species of the iris, the most popular cut flower in Louisiana. Its elegant bloom has been favored by artists from daVinci to Cezanne and has been the symbol of royalty throughout history. The bearded iris is among the most popular varieties of the flower, and can grow up to 41 inches tall and 7 inches across.

The magnolia is a hardwood tree that can grow up to 80 feet high. Common across Louisiana, the tree’s blossom became the state flower in 1900. It blooms in April, producing flowers that range from cream to pink, and that have a strong sweet perfume. Unfortunately, the beautiful bloom may only last a few days. The magnolia was named after a French botanist, Pierre Magnol.

19. Maine
> Most popular cut flower: Lily, oriental (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: White Pine

The lily, a symbol of purity, virtue, and chastity, is the most popular cut flower in Maine. In Greek mythology, the flower was created from the breast milk of Hera, the wife of Zeus. It also holds strong symbolic significance among Christians — lilies were said to grow where Christ’s blood fell from the cross. Asiatic hybrids of lilies are considered to be the easiest to grow and can reach 4 feet in height.

While the pine cone is not technically a flower (it is a gymnosperm), it is an appropriate symbol for Maine, once known as the “Pine Tree State.” The white pine is the largest cone-bearing tree in the U.S. — it has been recorded growing to over 200 feet — and it can live hundreds of years.

[in-text-ad-2]

20. Maryland
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Black-Eyed Susan

The black-eyed Susan is native to the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains and is common in Maryland. It became the official state flower in 1918. It resembles a daisy with yellow petals and a dark center or “eye.” Depending on the variety, it flowers in mid- or late summer and keeps going well into the fall.

21. Massachusetts
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Mayflower

Named after the ship that carried the Pilgrims, the Mayflower has been the official state flower of Massachusetts since 1918. It is endangered and is legally protected in the state and elsewhere. It is a low-growing shrub, usually only a few inches tall, and it produces white and pink flowers in the spring.

[in-text-ad]

22. Michigan
> Most popular cut flower: Peony (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Apple Blossom

The apple blossom has been the official state flower of Michigan since 1897. A leading producer of apples, Michigan ranks third in the country behind Washington and New York. Orchards thrive near Lake Michigan, where they benefit from the lake-influenced weather.

23. Minnesota
> Most popular cut flower: Rose, hybrid tea (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Pink and White Lady’s Slipper

One of 43 orchid species that grow in Minnesota, the pink and white lady’s-slipper has been the state flower since 1902. It grows slowly, taking up to 16 years to produce the first flowers, but it can live for up to 100 years. It is rare and has been protected by Minnesota state law since 1925. It’s illegal to pick, uproot or unearth the flowers

24. Mississippi
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Magnolia

Mississippi is known as the Magnolia State, and the magnolia blossom has been the official state flower since 1952. It was chosen in a vote by schoolchildren and beat out the cotton blossom and the cape jasmine by a wide margin. The magnolia is also the state tree and is featured on the state’s bicentennial commemorative quarter.

[in-text-ad-2]

25. Missouri
> Most popular cut flower: Tulip (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: White Hawthorn Blossom

The tulip may be the most popular cut flower in Missouri, but no flower has ever been as popular as tulips were in the Netherlands in the 17th century, when they were the subject of a speculative bubble that became known as tulip mania. While tulips are still associated with the Netherlands, they have been popular in the U.S. since the mid-1800s, when they were first grown at the Fay Estate in Lynn and Salem, Massachusetts.

26. Montana
> Most popular cut flower: Delphinium (larkspur) (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Bitterroot

Meriwether Lewis came across a carpet of this low-growing pink flower while on the Corps of Discovery Expedition in the early 19th century. He tasted the root and declared it quite bitter, hence the name of the Bitterroot plant. It was presented, along with many other specimens, to President Thomas Jefferson upon Lewis’s return to Washington, D.C. Bitterroot grows in the mountains of Montana and flowers in the late spring.

[in-text-ad]

27. Nebraska
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Goldenrod

With numerous of its species native to Nebraska, the goldenrod became the state flower in 1895. Its yellow flowers bloom between August and September, and it was said this long season represented the endurance of Nebraska’s early pioneers. The name is derived from the inflorescence, the goldenrod’s characteristic arrangement of flowers like golden rays.

28. Nevada
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: N/A
> Official state flower: Sagebrush

Nevada is nicknamed the “Sagebrush State,” and this plant has been the state flower since 1917. Sagebrush is found across the desert throughout the Southwest. It produces small yellow and white flowers in late summer and early fall. The Latin name, Artemisia tridentata, refers to the goddess Artemis, and to the shape of the leaves, which resemble three teeth.

29. New Hampshire
> Most popular cut flower: Tulip (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Calibrachoa
> Official state flower: Purple Lilac

Calibrachoa is also called Million Bells and is the most popular planted flower in New Hampshire, with sales of $1.9 million. A popular flower used in hanging baskets, it can grow to 6 inches in height, and up to 14 inches in width, and can be found in blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow.

New Hampshire designated the purple lilac as the official flower in 1919 because it represents the hardy character of the state. The lilac can withstand very low winter temperatures — in fact it does better in places where there is frost. There are over a thousand varieties of lilac. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew lilacs.

[in-text-ad-2]

30. New Jersey
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Common Meadow Violet

The common meadow violet is the most common of the more than 400 species of violets. It grows in many parts of New Jersey and even appears as an unwanted weed in suburban lawns. It blooms from March to June, producing white, purple and blue flowers. The flowers are edible and rich in vitamins A and C and can be used to adorn salads and baked goods.

31. New Mexico
> Most popular cut flower: Zinnia
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Yucca

The yucca blossom was chosen as the state flower by the schoolchildren of New Mexico in 1927. The yucca has an interesting pollination method. It is pollinated by the yucca moth, which transfers pollen from the stamens of one plant to the stigma of another. The moth also lays an egg in the flower, and the resulting larvae eat some of the developing seeds. Parts of the yucca plant are also eaten by humans.

[in-text-ad]

32. New York
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Rose

The rose is the U.S. national flower as well as the state flower of New York. It is perhaps the most popular flower of all, and is given as a symbol of love. The rose is particularly popular on Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, when tens of millions are sold. The rose is a recurring motif in art and literature. The American Beauty, for example, has inspired novels and films, as well as songs and entire albums by artists such as Frank Sinatra, the Grateful Dead, and Bruce Springsteen.

33. North Carolina
> Most popular cut flower: Lily, asiatic (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Flowering Dogwood

North Carolina’s most popular cut flower, the Asiatic lily, is native to several parts of Asia. It is an early bloomer and produces flowers of various colors. Asiatic lilies differ from Oriental lilies in that they have no fragrance. Unfortunately, lilies aren’t just popular with North Carolinians — they are also liked by aphids, burrowing rodents, and deer.

34. North Dakota
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Wild Prairie Rose

North Dakota adopted the wild prairie rose as its official flower in 1907. The scientific name, Rosa arkansana, is not related to the state but to the Arkansas River in Colorado. The wild prairie rose has five pink petals and yellow stamens in the center. While it may look delicate, it’s actually very resilient. It can survive extreme drought and prairie fires, in part because of its extensive root system.

[in-text-ad-2]

35. Ohio
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Scarlet Carnation

President William McKinley, an Ohio native, liked to wear a scarlet carnation in his lapel and said it represented love, respect, and reverence. After he was assassinated in 1901, the scarlet carnation was adopted in his honor as the state flower. McKinley’s carnations were grown by a friend in Alliance, Ohio, which was designated Carnation City by the Ohio General Assembly in 1959. The city still hosts an annual Greater Alliance Carnation Festival.

36. Oklahoma
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Oklahoma Rose

Oklahoma adopted the Oklahoma rose as an official state flower in 2004. It already had two official plant symbols — the Indian blanket, a wildflower, and mistletoe. The Oklahoma rose is one of the tea roses, so called because of their scent, and is native to China.

[in-text-ad]

37. Oregon
> Most popular cut flower: Peony (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Oregon Grape

The Oregon grape was adopted as the official state flower in 1899. Despite its name, it is not a grape but a shrub native to the Pacific states. It produces bluish-purple berries and yellow and green flowers that bloom in early summer. The berries are edible, although bitter when raw, and are used in alternative medicine.

38. Pennsylvania
> Most popular cut flower: Snapdragon (spikes)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Mountain Laurel

Pennsylvania’s most popular cut flower is the snapdragon. It was named for its supposed resemblance to a dragon and because the two-lipped flowers snap shut when compressed. The flowers appear in a variety of colors on tall spikes. Snapdragons were also popular in ancient times, when they were believed to provide protection from witchcraft and to restore beauty and youthfulness.

39. Rhode Island
> Most popular cut flower: Dahlia (bunches)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Common Blue Violet

Rhode Island’s most popular cut flower, the dahlia, is native to Mexico and is that country’s national flower. Although there was a famous murder mystery called “The Black Dahlia,” there has never been a flower of that color. Nor has there been a blue dahlia, despite attempts to cultivate one. The dahlia does come in many other colors and is one of the most popular cut flowers globally.

[in-text-ad-2]

40. South Carolina
> Most popular cut flower: Daffodil (narcissus) (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Yellow Jessamine

The daffodil, the common name for the genus Narcissus, is the most popular cut flower in South Carolina. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus formally named flower, drawing from the Greek myth story about the youth who was so handsome he fell in love with his own reflection. Daffodils have long been celebrated in art and literature. English poet William Wordsworth was inspired by a field of them when he wrote his most famous work, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” which is also known simply as “Daffodils.”

41. South Dakota
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: American Pasque

The pasque, a tallgrass prairie flower that grows throughout South Dakota, became the official state flower in 1903. It is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, producing lavender bell-shaped flowers. The pasque belongs to the buttercup family and is poisonous, but it is said to be too bitter for anyone to be able to ingest a fatal amount.

[in-text-ad]

42. Tennessee
> Most popular cut flower: Gladioli (spikes)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Iris

Flowers of all kinds are very popular in Tennessee. In 1933, the state adopted the iris as the state flower, without redesignating the passion flower, which had already been adopted in 1919. Legislation was passed in 1973 designating the iris as the state cultivated flower and the passion flower as the state wildflower. For good measure, Tennessee also adopted the coneflower as another state wildflower in 2012.

43. Texas
> Most popular cut flower: Sunflower (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: Bluebonnet

The bluebonnet became the official state flower of Texas in 1901. The original legislation specified Lupinus subcarnosus but was amended in 1971 to include Lupinus texensis. The flower gets its name from its sunbonnet-shaped petals, although not all are blue — there are also rare white and pink bluebonnets. The scientific name Lupinus is derived from the Latin word for wolf, lupus. Bluebonnets were once known as wolf flowers because they appeared to devour soil that did not support any other plant life. It was later discovered that they actually help soil by providing nitrogen.

44. Utah
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Sego Lily

Petunias are the most popular planted flower in Utah, first appearing in Utah in the late 19th century, and are members of the nightshade family. The bloom time for this flower is spring, summer, and fall. Petunias are tolerant of heat and don’t need to be watered regularly. Multiflora petunias comes in single or double flowers in a variety of colors and range in size up to 3 inches. Grandiflora petunias are the most popular single-flower type, with blossoms up to 4 inches in diameter.

[in-text-ad-2]

45. Vermont
> Most popular cut flower: Peony (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Red Clover

Found throughout the state, red clover has been the official state flower of Vermont since 1894. It’s also the national flower of Denmark. Red clover is used as feed for livestock and in crop rotation. It produces nitrogen and suppresses weeds, and its flowers are used to make herbal tea.

46. Virginia
> Most popular cut flower: Snapdragon (spikes)
> Most popular planted flower: Pansies (violas)
> Official state flower: American Dogwood

Virginia designated the American dogwood as the official state flower in 1918 and as the official state tree in 1956 — Virginia is unique in having the same state flower and tree. The dogwood is a small, deciduous tree that blooms in spring. The showy blooms are actually not flowers but bracts, or leaves, and attract pollinators to the real flowers, which are smaller. Thomas Jefferson grew American dogwood on his estate, Monticello.

[in-text-ad]

47. Washington
> Most popular cut flower: Tulip (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Coast Rhododendron

Washington adopted the coast rhododendron as the official state flower in 1959. As the name suggests, it is found primarily near the Pacific Coast but also extends to the Cascade Mountains. It has dark green leaves and produces large pink and white flowers in the spring. Although beautiful, both the leaves and the flowers contain toxic substances.

48. West Virginia
> Most popular cut flower: Zinnia (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Petunias
> Official state flower: Rhododendron

West Virginia designated the rhododendron maximum as its official state flower in 1903. Also known as rosebay and great laurel, it is native to eastern North America and is most abundant in the Appalachian Mountains. It blooms in late June and early July, with pale pink buds opening to white flowers.

49. Wisconsin
> Most popular cut flower: Lily, oriental (stems)
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Wood Violet

The wood violet was chosen by Wisconsin’s schoolchildren as the state flower in 1909, beating out the arbutus, violet, white water lily, and wild rose. The wood violet has a long slender stem and an irregular-shaped flower with five purple petals. The flower is edible and rich in vitamins A and C.

[in-text-ad-2]

50. Wyoming
> Most popular cut flower: N/A
> Most popular planted flower: Geraniums (from vegetative cuttings)
> Official state flower: Indian Paintbrush

The Indian paintbrush was designated the state flower of Wyoming in 1917, although it wasn’t universally popular. When Wyoming schoolchildren were polled, they actually chose the fringed gentian, and it served as an unofficial state flower before the state legislature took action. There are around 200 species of Indian paintbrush, which is also known as prairie fire. The genus is named after Spanish botanist Domingo Castillejo. The species linariaefolia is native to the western states and is found on rocky slopes and arid plains.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.