Introduction Each of the fi fty states and the District of Columbia has a special fl ower to represent them Some grow wild while others are carefully planted and tended in public spaces and gardens Some state fl owers are blossoms of fruit trees that will drop off to make way for the fruit Others are short-lived and die quickly when picked In 1893 the World’s Fair in Chicago planned a National Garland of Flowers asking each state to contribute a symbolic fl ower In many cases schoolchildren voted for these fl owers Each of them is special and speaks to the spirit of the state that selected it
Alabama Camellia The camellia is called the rose of winter for its showy likeness to the rose It grows on a shrub in many colors and shapes The goldenrod was the state fl ower from 1927 to 1959 But women from Butler County said a weed should not be the state fl ower so they pushed the legislature to adopt camellias Since the camellia wasn’t a native plant they added the oak-leaf hydrangea as the state’s wildfl ower Scientifi c Name Camellia japonica Year Made State Flower 1959 4
State Guides to Flowers
Flowers are more than just decoration. They have an important job. But they can’t always do it alone. Find out more about the work of flowers, how they attract help, and how they help plant species survive.
About This Book
By: Linden McNeilly
Illustrated by:
Published by: Rourke Educational Media (Unlimited)
