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State Flowers

State Flower of Georgia

Flower: Cherokee Rose (Rosa Laevigata) and Azalea

The Cherokee rose was adopted as Georgia’s state flower on August 18, 1916. There is a legend about a Seminole Indian chief who was captured by the Cherokees. He was to be put to death. But a Cherokee woman fell in love with him and offered to help him escape.

He agreed, on condition that she left with him. Before leaving, she broke off a sprig from a striking vine growing on her father’s cabin. She later planted it at the door of her new home. The plant reminded her of her Cherokee homeland and came to be known as the Cherokee rose.

In 1979, Georgia adopted the azalea as its state wildflower. The details of the time of its adoption are not yet known. Azaleas are hardy plants with colorful flowers. Many species and varieties are found across Georgia.