- In 1986 Congress voted to officially confirm the rose as the National Flower of the United States. Americans bought more than 1.2 billions fresh cut roses in 1996.
- Every state has a “state flower”.
- Flowers and flowering plants play a very important role in nature.
- Not only are flowers beautiful, but their seeds, fruit, roots, stems and leaves provide food for people and animals.
- Lilies are presumed to have originated from the Far East and are one of the oldest plants known.
- Tulips have an intricate history starting in 500 BC. The flower symbolized immortality, life and love. In the Seventeenth Century the bulbs of tulips were worth more than precious metals like gold.
- Flowers have been used for centuries in medicines and toiletries.
- California is the source of nearly 60% of all the USA-grown fresh cut flowers.
- The world’s largest flower is the Titan Arum. It can be found in Sumatran rainforests and is called the Corpse flower. It is approximately 2.5 yards. It is also the world’s smelliest. The world’s smallest flower is the Wolffia. Twelve Wolffia would fit on the head of a pin.
- The flower industry earns a lot of money each year. For example, the average cost of flowers for a wedding is $695.
A Tour of My Rose Garden
Floral Radiographs: The Secret Garden
Kid’s Valley Garden
Missouri Botanical Gardens
Pasadena’s Tournament of Roses Parade
PBS Nature: Obsession With Orchids
What is a Flower?
Wildflowers in Bloom