Hello In Stitches Family,
As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, many of us are brushing up on American history and reflecting on the symbols that represent our country.
We all know about the Bald Eagle. We recognize the Stars and Stripes. But did you know that the United States has an official national flower?
Neither did we.
When our friends at Meadow & Mountain began designing a special piece to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, they set out to answer a simple question: What is the national flower of the United States?
The answer is the rose.
But the story of how the rose became America’s National Floral Emblem is more interesting than you might expect.
The Long Search for a National Flower
Hey! This is Ashley from Meadow & Mountain and I create designs that celebrate each state’s flowers so when Wendy asked us to create something for the 250th, I jumped at the chance! And the story, as always, was so much more interesting than I thought it would be.
You see, the effort to choose a national flower began more than a century ago.
As early as 1901, Americans were discussing the idea of creating a National Floral Emblem. Over the years, dozens of flowers were proposed, and more than 70 bills were introduced in Congress.
Some favored the red carnation, promoted in honor of President William McKinley. Others supported goldenrod. Some even suggested the corn tassel, despite the fact that it isn’t technically a flower.
Other contenders included:
- Dogwood
- Mountain Laurel
- Daisy
- Phlox
- Columbine
Everyone seemed to have a favorite, but none of the proposals gained enough support to become official.
Why the Rose Won
The rose first gained serious support in 1929 when Elizabeth Britton, one of the founders of the New York Botanical Garden, championed it as the obvious choice for a national flower.
Despite her enthusiasm, the idea stalled for decades.
Then, in 1959, seed company leader Royal H. Burpee launched a campaign supporting the marigold instead. For nearly ten years, supporters of the marigold and the rose debated which flower best represented the nation.
In the end, the rose prevailed.
Part of the reason was simple: Americans loved it.
The rose is beautiful, fragrant, and familiar. It has long been associated with love, celebration, remembrance, and patriotism.
The Rose in American History
By the time Congress officially considered the rose, it was already woven into American culture.
The rose appears throughout our nation’s history:
🌹 Roses grow in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
🌹 The White House Rose Garden was established in 1913 by First Lady Ellen Wilson.
🌹 The Rose Bowl is one of the most famous traditions in college football.
🌹 Winners of the Kentucky Derby race “for the roses.”
🌹 George Washington cultivated roses at Mount Vernon and even developed a variety known as the Mary Washington Rose, named after his mother. It’s still grown today!
The rose had become more than a flower. It had become a symbol recognized across the country.
Ronald Reagan Makes It Official
On November 20, 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation officially designating the rose as the National Floral Emblem of the United States.
During the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, Reagan explained why the flower had earned its place among America’s national symbols.
He famously said:
“Americans who would speak the language of the heart do so with a rose.”
With that signature, the rose joined the ranks of the Bald Eagle, the American flag, and other symbols that help tell the story of our nation.
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
As we approach the United States Semiquincentennial, or simply America’s 250th birthday, it’s a wonderful time to rediscover pieces of our history that many of us never learned in school.
The rose serves as a fitting symbol for a nation that has weathered challenges, celebrated triumphs, and continued to grow for nearly two and a half centuries.
At In Stitches, we love learning the stories behind the symbols that connect us to our country’s history. That’s why we partnered with Meadow & Mountain on a special design celebrating both America’s 250th anniversary and our national flower.
Whether you’re a history buff, a gardener, or simply proud to call America home, we hope this design helps tell a story worth remembering.
Celebrate the 250th with a Unique Design
Meadow & Mountain’s America 250 design featuring the rose, the National Floral Emblem of the United States, and is available on:
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Crewnecks
- Bags
- And more
Contact us to place an order, or visit Meadow & Mountain to learn more about the design and the story behind it.
Because sometimes the most interesting pieces of American history are hiding in plain sight.