America's State Flowers: Indiana, Iowa and North Dakota, Kansas, Kentucky and Nebraska, Louisiana and Mississippi

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, the U.S. Botanic Garden is showcasing the flowers each U.S. state and territory has chosen as their official flower. The April-October 2026 exhibit shares their sights and stories with living plants, artistic displays, botanical illustrations, and herbarium specimens.

From fragrant magnolia flowers and roses to native orchids, bluebonnets, and saguaro cactus flowers, enjoy the variety as we feature the floral beauty that symbolizes America.

See the full list on our America's State Flowers webpage, and continue reading to learn more as we showcase each official flower.

Indiana | Iowa and North Dakota | Kansas | Kentucky and Nebraska | Louisiana and Mississippi

INDIANA

Peony (Peonia)

In 1957, the peony became Indiana’s state flower, replacing the zinnia.
Peonies are popular in this state for decorating gravesites on Memorial Day, and are celebrated with a peony festival in early May.

Find many different varieties and colors of peonies throughout our outdoor gardens.

Bloom time: May

IOWA & NORTH DAKOTA

Wild rose (Rosa sp.)

While lowa legislators didn't specify which wild rose would represent their state, many native rose species flourish across the state.

The University of North Dakota's first graduating class chose "prairie rose pink" as their school color, later inspiring legislators to choose it for the state flower.

Find this state flower in our Rose Garden, along with our national flower — the rose!

[Photo shows U.S. native wild rose species Rosa arkansana]

Bloom time: May-July

KANSAS

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Nicknamed "the Sunflower State," Kansas includes the sunflower on its state flag. It is native to the region and is also grown commercially for biodiesel fuel and edible seeds. H. annuus is native to 47 U.S. states, and today is grown around the world!

Bloom time: May-July

KENTUCKY & NEBRASKA

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

This native plant's yellow flowers provide food for pollinators, and it is a host plant for many insect larvae. It appears on Kentucky’s state flag and was selected as the state flower to "represent the hardy endurance" of Nebraskans.

Nebraska chose it as their state flower in 1895, but barely — the violet almost became the state flower during a last-minute spirited state legislature debate (which would make five states choosing the violet!).

The goldenrod wasn't Kentucky's first state flower. In 1911, Kentucky bluegrass was named the state flower. But opposition arose since it only occurs in one section of the state, and goldenrod replaced it in 1926. Thirty species of goldenrod grow in Kentucky. 

Bloom time: Late July-August

LOUISIANA & MISSISSIPPI

Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

The flowers can reach up to 12" across and are very fragrant. Both chose the magnolia as their official flower in 1900, though after Mississippi schoolchildren voted for it in 1900, the legislature didn’t vote to codify it into law until 1950. Louisiana did vote to name the magnolia their state flower in 1900.

Bloom time: May-June

This is part four of an eight-article blog series. Keep checking usbg.gov/blog to explore the rest of this series, and stop by the Garden to see the exhibit in person before it closes October 12, 2026!