Weston Logo

State Flowers of New England

State Flowers of New England

Can you name all the state flowers of New England? Surprisingly, they are not all native to the US. Not only that, they are not all flowers and one New England state actually has two state flowers!

Connecticut: Designated as the state flower of Connecticut in 1907, the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a broad-leafed evergreen shrub native to eastern North America. This popular landscape plant produces fragrant and abundant bell-shaped pink and white flowers in May and June. Does best in part shade and acidic soils.

Maine: Adopted in 1895, the state flower of Maine is not actually a flower; it is the White Pine Cone and Tassel (Pinus strobus). Maine is known as the “Pine Tree State” and white pine dominated the Maine landscape and is important to the timber industry. White pine is considered to be the largest conifer in the northeastern United States.

Massachusetts: The Mayflower (Epigaea repens), also known as ground laurel or trailing arbutus, was designated the state flower here in Massachusetts in 1918. The Mayflower gets its name as it is thought to be the first flower the pilgrims saw blooming in spring after the long winter. This low-growing, trailing evergreen produces fragrant pink or white flowers in the early spring and favors sandy to peaty woods or clearings.

New Hampshire: Although not native to the United States, New Hampshire adopted the Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) as its state flower in 1919 to represent the hardy character of the state’s inhabitants.

In 1991, New Hampshire designated the Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) as the official state wildflower. These wild orchids are widely found in the northeastern US, and as far south as South Carolina and Georgia.

Rhode Island: In 1968, Rhode Island became the last state to adopt an official state flower, the Violet (viola sororia). These ubiquitous petite purple flowers are found throughout eastern North America
In the landscape, they are best massed and left to spread undisturbed in naturalized areas. They self-seed and spread, sometimes being viewed as weeds in lawns and gardens. The caterpillars of fritillary butterflies feed on violets.

Vermont: Red Clover, (Trifolium pratense) represents Vermont’s farms and fields and was designated state flower in 1895. Although not native to the US, it thrives in meadows, pastures, and other grassy places and its nitrogen fixing ability makes it a good cover crop or “green manure”.

Written by Hilary Kassler

Share Via:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print
WESTON NURSERIES

Weston Nurseries is committed to being a center for horticultural knowledge. Enjoy!

SEARCH TOPICS
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
SHOP

Shops Trees, Shrubs, & Perennials – in stores and online.

EXPLORE MORE
PLANT CARE
SOCIAL
SEARCH BY MONTH
Archives
EVENTS & CLASSES

Online Shopping at Weston Nurseries

We are excited to offer two unique opportunities to shop online at Weston Nurseries.

Farm To Door™

WN Online Shopping icons_Ship to Door
Plants shipped directly to you!

Browse our online inventory for a huge selection of plants available to ship directly from the farm to your home! Anywhere in the Continental US except states where prohibited by law!*

Shop Our Garden Centers

WN Online Shopping icons-02
Great for large plants and larger orders!

Shop your local store for plants, garden supplies, soil, mulch and more. Then pick up your order at the garden center or arrange for local drop off!

If you are interested in ordering gift cards, please click here!
*Some restrictions may apply to certain states.

FLASH SALE

Memorial Day Weekend Flash Sale On Hydrangeas!

25% off all Hydrangeas this weekend only!

Saturday, May 25th – Monday, May 27th! 

Hydrangeas are a classic and beautiful sign of summer. Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend by sprucing up your yard with some new hydrangeas. Discount applies at all locations.

*Sale Fine Print:

For “Cash and Carry” transactions only. Offer good while supplies last.

No open orders or deliveries for future dates. All Flash Sale products must be taken the same day. Not valid on previous orders. No transfers allowed between stores on any sale items.

Skip to content