National Flowers | State Flowers | National Flower

Bright white and lovely, the national flower of the Philippines is a fitting testament to the lovely, delicate beauty of these island natives. The sampaguita produces small white flowers in a star pattern. Thanks to the tropical paradise of the Philippines, the sampaguita blooms year round, bringing gardens and yards a bright spot of white for brief moments of time at least.

The State Flower of the Philippines

The sampaguita flowers are pretty – small, delicate and white. But most interestingly of all, the flowers don’t last long once then appear. The flowers of the sampaguita bloom at night and then they begin to wilt almost immediately. The flowers are wilted and essentially gone in just one day – the blossoms continue to appear throughout the year, however, bringing bright spots of light in moonlight gardens especially, but leaving some color on the leaves for the rest of the daytime as well.

With more than 7,000 islands making up this island nation, any number of flowers or flowering shrubs could be called the national flower of the Philippines, but among the many tropical flowers that grow on the island natively and those that are produced in the large and growing cut flower trade, the sampaguita stands out. A form of jasmine, the sampaguita is the national flower not just of the Philippines, but of Indonesia as well.

Growing Sampaguita

With a sweet and heady scent, the bright white flowers are a popular addition to many gardens outside of the Philippines as well as on the islands. The delicate vine is hardy in Zone 8 or higher, but the moment frost touches the vine, it will wither and die. This is a tropical plant that can grow as tall as eight feet with enough sunshine and care. With proper treatment and careful planning, you may enjoy sampaguita for up to nine months out of the year – perhaps even longer!

Few photos of the
National Flower of the Philippines The Sampaguita (Jusminum) which have been picked up from the Internet

In 1918, the proud state of Virginia named the American dogwood as its state flower. The dog wood has a nice history in Virginia, one of the most notable founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, loved the dogwood and grew it on his estate. He likely found the simple, elegant white flowers to be striking against the dark leaves of the dogwood tree.

When the lawmakers of Virginia designated the dogwood as the state flower of Virginia, they made a note that they hoped the choice of the flower would stimulate a greater interest in the history of the state – perhaps even the history of the famous Jefferson whose home, Monticello, is located in Virginia where you can still find the dogwood trees today.

The Dogwood Tree and Flower

Virginia is distinctive among the other states for many reasons including the fact that the state flower and the state tree are actually the same plant. Dogwood is a tree that produces creamy white flowers in the spring with a broad petal arrangement. When the flowers fall by summer, they leave behind a dark green foliage. The flowers are not actually flowers in the most traditional sense. They are actually bracts that surround the real, tiny yellowish flowers on the tree.

Growing Dogwood

The dogwood tree grows to be close to thirty of forty feet, so it is a tree that needs plenty of room if you’re hoping to grow a dogwood as part of your garden. The dogwood is often wider than it is tall and is considered a fine ornamental tree for the garden. The dogwood is native to North Carolina and grows well in most parts of the eastern United States where there is high humidity, filtered light and protection from wind. Dogwoods don’t do well in full sunlight or deep shade. They also need well drained soil to thrive.

Just few American Dogwood pictures picked up from the Internet. American Dogwood is the State Flower of Virginia.

A state full of rich history and natural beauty, Pennsylvania is one of the original thirteen colonies, and a critical part of the founding of the United States. The rolling hills of Pennsylvania are home to the state flower, the mountain laurel. This white and pink flower grows in clusters across the state in the spring and summer months. The evergreen plant is as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer months with a rich green leaf amid the snow.

The State Flower of Pennsylvania

In the 1930s, the governor of Pennsylvania made the choice of the mountain laurel as the official state flower. Two different bills had passed the state legislature – one named the pink azalea as the national flower and the other the mountain laurel. The governor selected the bill naming the laurel and signed in into effect on May 5, 1933.

Today if you were to visit Pennsylvania, you’d begin to see the pale pink blossoms of the mountain laurel in late May. The pretty flowers last well into June before they begin to fade. The mountain laurel flowers appear on an evergreen shrub that grows throughout the Penn Woods. Reaching up to ten feet in height, the mountain laurel is a hardy plant from the same family as the blueberry, azalea, cranberry and rhododendron plants. It is most commonly found in a rocky area of the mountain.

Growing Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel will tolerate deep shade, but you’ll get even more flowers when the plant is in a light shade with just a bit more sunshine. The shrub is easy to grow well in zones 5 through 9, and plan on it reaching up to eight feet in height. It’s difficult to transplant mountain laurels from the wild. You have much better luck buying a small shrub from a garden center or opting to grow the plants from seeds. Keep your soil acidic and use wood chips or pine needs as mulch for optimum growth.

Few images of the Pennsylvania State Flower mountain laurel. Mountain Laurel photos was picked up in the Internet. All Mountain Laurel pictures you can see here have not been taken in Pennsylvania.

The rolling hills of Kentucky are covered with rich fields of grass and a collection of herbs and wildflowers. The bright yellow flowers of the common herb, goldenrod, are common against the green backdrop, and these cheerful blooms have been designated the state’s flower since 1926. Before goldenrod was selected as the state flower, the blue grass of Kentucky and then the trumpet vine has the distinction of the state flower of Kentucky.

In 1921 however, the Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs began to promote goldenrod as the best choice for the state flower. The flower has already been made a part of the state flag although the military argued the trumpet vine was associated with the state militia. The people of Kentucky threw their support behind the goldenrod that grew in all parts of the state and in March of 1926, goldenrod was officially selected as the state flower of Kentucky.

Goldenrod

Kentucky is not alone in selecting goldenrod as a state flower. Nebraska and South Carolina have the distinction as well. This is not surprising as goldenrod is one of the most prolific wildflowers in America. Goldenrod has not sat easily in its position as the state flower of Kentucky, however. As a common wildflower, it’s been argued many times that the plant is a weed and not worthy of the state flower distinction. Twice a vote has passed one house of the state legislature but failed in the other to change the state flower.

Goldenrod is a natural wildflower that grows throughout the United States. The tiny yellow flowers grow in bunches along a tall stem. Goldenrod forms a bushy shrub along the roadsides of Kentucky in the fall and is present in fields and some gardens as well.

Growing Goldenrod

Goldenrod can become invasive, so be sure to plant a smaller variety in your garden. Goldenrod requires moderate fertilization and well-drained soil. The goldenrod grows best in full sun with little or no shade. Plant goldenrod plants about a foot apart and not very deep in fertilized soil. The bright yellow flowers of goldenrod come to bloom in the late summer and fall giving any garden brilliant color.

Some Kentucky State Flower – Goldenrod – Pictures, which was picked up from the Internet among huge amount of Goldenrod Photos in the web.

Stunning and a bit showy, the state flower of Mississippi is bold, beautiful and a bit saucy – much like the fun-loving residents of the state. Mississippi selected the southern magnolia as the state’s official flower in 1952. The flower grows on large magnolia trees which can be seen growing across the state, but particularly in the yards and gardens of Mississippi inhabitants. It is a lovely ornamental tree.

The State Flower of Mississippi

The magnolia blossom is a large flower. The bright green leaves of the magnolia tree provide the perfect backdrop to the large white petals as the bud begins to open. The petals are, in fact, not petals at all, but petal-like petals. These saucer shaped flowers appear at the end of tree branches and are found alone. The magnolia trees must grow for seven years before the flowers and then bright red fruits will appear, but the tree’s dark, glossy leaves are lovely as well, particularly in the winter months as the magnolia is an evergreen tree.

Growing Southern Magnolia

The southern magnolia is a native to the southern coastline of the United States. The tree matures slowly but may live for up to 200 years and reach more than eighty feet in height. The magnolia tree or shrub is easy to grow in temperate climate. Plant a tree that is already in bloom in the spring months. A grafted magnolia will bloom after seven years while a magnolia planted from seeds can take up to twenty-five years to bloom. It will redeem itself, however, with an impressive array of flowers when it does finally bloom. Be sure to water your southern magnolia frequently as they require a great deal of water to thrive in hot climates, especially.

Here are few Southern Magnolia Pictures Picked up from the Internet. Images of the Southern Magnolia, which is the Mississippi State Flowers.

In a country rich with heritage and symbolism, the lotus flower is a beautiful water plant complete with broad floating leaves and lovely flowers. The lotus is often called a water lily, although in India is rarely called by any other name. In India, the lotus flower symbolizes divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment. As a flower so rich in meaning, it is considered pure and untouched and is grown throughout India in ancient traditions.

The State Flower of India

The lotus flower is an aquatic plant grown in ponds or occurring naturally throughout India. The blossoms sit on floating leaves. The bright green leaves are broad and sit on top of the water. The lotus flower in bright pinks or whites sits above the surface of the water. The color of the lotus flower actually divides the type of plant. There are red and white lotus flowers which differ only in color; the shape of the flower is the same.

Growing out of the water, the lotus flower is a collection of stiff petals that grow in an overlapping, symmetrical pattern. The blossom appears much like a burst of petals in a structured, delicately arranged pattern. Around the bottom of the flower are green leaves that help support the blossom while also setting off the brightness of the petals. Lotus flowers grow only in shallow, serene areas, so they are considered to be among the most desirable of plants for a garden.

Growing Lotus

The purity of the lotus flower stems from the idea of its long stalk reaching up through murky pond water to blossom into a beautiful flower. For the gardener, this is inspiring in the sense that you’ll be able to grow lotus in a backyard pond with very little disturbances. The lotus loves heat and will bloom in the late summer months. Lotus flowers need at least six hours of sunlight per day and the roots need to be four to ten inches under water.

Lotus is India National Flower. Some Lotus Pictures which was picked up among the huge variety of Lotus photos from the Internet.

The elegantly simple tulip is a natural find in Holland, the country that is most famous for growing the lovely flowers. This peaceful, prosperous nation is comfortable with agriculture growing some of the most beautiful tulips in the world. Windmills, green rolling hills and the bright nodding heads of the tulips are an easy sight throughout the country. It only makes sense that the tulip be named the national flower of Holland, or the Netherlands.

The State Flower of the Netherlands

The bright tulip has long been heralded as the bringer of spring. The stunning beauty of the tulip is admired around the world, but they are truly unique flowers. The tulip makes an exquisite cut flower. Unlike most flowers that begin to wither immediately, the tulips continue to grow in the vase – sometimes reaching up to five or six additional inches while you enjoy your floral delivery at home.

Tulips seem to have a personality of their own. Not only do they continue to grow, but the open face of the tulip will turn toward the sun. They are sensitive to temperature as well. When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, the tulip will open a bit more to seemingly gather warmth. When the weather cools and the sun drops, the tulips close again. Tulips have been a staple of the Netherlands floral trade, which has been extremely strong since the 1950s.

Growing Tulips

Tulips are very easy to grow, and especially forgiving of poor soil conditions. To grow tulips, you’ll plant them in the fall months before the ground grows hard. Plant the bulbs in patterns of color if you’d like, so long as you space them out about six inches. The bulbs should be planted twice as deep as the diameter of the bulb. The tulips will be one of your first flowers to bloom in the spring – a bright welcome to a new season.

Some Tulips pictures which where picked up from the Internet. Holland National Flower – Tulip – Photos.

Bright and cheerful, the bright blue of the knapweed or cornflower is pretty among the rolling green hills of Germany. The state flower of Germany is the cornflower, locally called the knapweed, and with the distinction come a few interesting local traditions. In Germany, it is traditional to wear the cornflower in your lapel if you’re unmarried. The bright flowers are also iconic of the bright green hills and beauty of this European land.

The National Flower of Germany

The bright blue cornflower has been a garden staple since ancient times. Native to Germany and many other countries in Europe, the cornflower was both beautiful and medicinal in the gardens. The color of the cornflower lead many to believe that it was healing for eye injuries, and today herbalist agree that a decoction of the leaves is useful as an eye lotion. Knapweed is a tough variety of cornflower, seen most often in the fields and meadows rather than flower beds or gardens.

Growing Knapweed

This tough variety of cornflower isn’t often found for sale to be used in gardens because it is a very hardy variety of flower that can dominate a flower bed. The plant is seen most often growing in the wild, and would be lovely in a prairie field where you’re growing wildflowers, but not as attractive in your flower beds.

To grow other, gentler forms of cornflowers, start with seeds. The taller versions of cornflower are almost exclusively found as seeds rather than seedlings in garden centers. Plant the seeds in partial or full sun and water regularly. The annual varieties of cornflower will bloom very quickly. Some cornflower is available as a perennial, and this takes longer to become established and bloom. Cornflowers make beautiful cut flowers as part of floral arrangements as well as looking lovely in the garden.

Some Knapweed or Cornflower Pictures picked up from the Internet. Knapweed or Cornflower is a State Flower of Germany.

Fragrant and beautiful, the purple lilac is strong flower grown in gardens for its appealing size and beauty. New Hampshire has a state flower as well as a state wildflower, and the two couldn’t be more different. While the state flower of New Hampshire is strong and sturdy in gardens, the state wildflower is delicate and small, growing in the acrid soil of pine forests. The purple lilac is recognized as the state flower of New Hampshire while the pink lady’s slipper is known as the state wildflower of New Hampshire.

The State Flower of New Hampshire

The state flower of New Hampshire was imported from England and planted at the governor’s house in 1750. It has continued to grow and thrive in this Northeastern state since that time. In 1919, the purple lilac was named the state flower of New Hampshire and only won after beating out a litany of other flowers put up for the honor including the purple aster and apple blossom. The purple lilac was selected as the state flower finally as it symbolized the hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State.”

These small trees or large shrubs grow up to ten feet tall with simple green leaves and purple blossoms that grow in groupings along the end of the trees. The panicles of flowers produce a strong fragrance. The purple lilac blooms between mid spring and early summer.

Growing Purple Lilac

The small trees of purple lilac are similar to other ornamental trees when planted. Purple lilac plants are hardy from zones three to seven and when planted in full sunlight, you can expect the purple lilac to grow beautifully. The taller purple lilacs are often planted as a privacy screen in yards as they grow up to ten feet in height and width with full branches and plenty of flowers and foliage.

Beautiful and tropical, Brazil is the largest country in South America and could easily be floral capital in its own right. There are hundreds of varieties of rich and fragrant flowers grown in Brazil, and one of the most strikingly beautiful is the national flower of Brazil, the cattleya labiata, or corsage orchid. These stunning flowers are often called the queen of the orchids because they have such a beautiful shape and fragrance. These characteristics are also why they are so often used in corsages for special events.

The State Flower of Brazil

The people of Brazil celebrate the vast collection of flowers that grow in their country with various festivals and special events. The sheer volume of flower specimens in the country is dazzling and draws visitors to the country on a regular basis. While the cattleya labiata is often recognized as the state flower of Brazil, the Ipe-amarelo is often considered a national flower of Brazil. Both flowers grow in the wild of Brazil as well as being cultivated.

The corsage orchid is brightly colored with a long center trumpet surrounding by a star of fluttering petals, The bright colors and rich fragrance are delicate and lovely making this a favorite of flower lovers around the world. The Ipe-amarelo is a beautiful flowering tree with yellow blossoms that grows brightly among other trees or alone in fields.

Growing Cattleya Labiata

The corsage orchid, cattleya labiata grows easily in most households. The orchid needs temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees, which is a normal household temperature in most cases. To grow the orchid, buy the plant or bulb and place in indirect light inside your home. Let the orchid dry out before watering it and draining off excess water. Watering the orchid too heavily or allowing it to sit in water can damage the plant.

Some pictures of the Cattleya Labiata. Cattleya Labiata is Brazil National Flowers. This Cattleya Labiata Photos were picked up at the Internet

Brazil National Flower Cattleya Labiata