Arkansas and Michigan State Flower - Apples
Apple Blossom (Pyrus coronaria) is the Official Flower of Two States
Sep 27, 2008
Apple trees (Pyrus coronaria) or (Malus coronaria) produce beautiful blossoms each spring and it is these fragrant blooms that are the official state flowers of Arkansas and Michigan.
Arkansas State Flower Information
Arkansas adopted the apple blossom as its official state flower in 1901. Arkansas was once a major apple producing state and Lincoln City in Washington County still hosts an annual Arkansas Apple Festival each year.
Michigan State Flower Information
Michigan named the native apple species, Pyrus coronaria, as the official state flower in 1897. A state famous for its apple production, Michigan is currently the third largest apple producing state in the United States.
History and Lore of the Apple Tree
It's not surprising that the apple blossom is a popular state flower because the apple tree itself is the stuff of legends, history and symbolic lore. A member of the rose family, apples are related to raspberries, strawberries, plums, pears, peaches and of course, roses.
Apples have been cultivated since ancient history when they were grown in the Nile Delta and considered food given by the gods. From Adam and Eve's forbidden fruit, to Johnny and his meandering travels to spread the bounty through the United States, apples have featured in many stories, folk and fairy tales.
Today, commercial apple production makes the apple one of the largest cultivated fruits in the entire world. In the United States alone, over $1.5 billion dollars of apples are grown in 36 states.
About Growing Apple Trees
Most apple trees cannot pollinate themselves so it is common for gardeners to plant more than one variety of apple to allow cross-pollination. With more dwarf varieties available to home gardeners, even those with limited landscape space can enjoy fruit fresh from their own trees. If a garden space is especially small, consider growing apple trees as espaliers along a fence or sunny wall.
Apple trees need full sun to fruit properly and do best if they are not competing with other plants and trees for soil space, water and nutrients. Removing the grass and sod before planting, and covering a 4 foot diameter area with mulch, can help with overcrowding and conserving water.
Consider planting apple trees in the fall since planting trees and shrubs later in the year can have many benefits. Apple trees should be pruned while they are dormant to help encourage new growth. Fruit trees can take a few years to reach maturity and start producing, but for many home gardeners, the wait is well worth while!
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