North Carolina Flowers

North Carolina boasts a variety of beautiful flowers, both native and cultivated. Here are some notable ones:

State Flower

Dogwood (Cornus florida):

• Blooms: Early spring
• Characteristics: Small tree with showy white or pink bracts surrounding small, true flowers; notable for its graceful, spreading form.
• Significance: Designated as the state flower in 1941.

Other Notable Native Flowers

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens):

• Blooms: Late winter to early spring
• Characteristics: Fragrant, bright yellow, tubular flowers on a twining vine.
• Habitat: Prefers moist, well-drained soils and full to partial sunlight.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis):

• Blooms: Early spring
• Characteristics: Small, pink to purple, pea-like flowers that bloom directly on branches and trunk (cauliflory).
• Habitat: Common in woodlands and along streams.

Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum):

• Blooms: Late spring to early summer
• Characteristics: Bright orange to red tubular flowers in clusters.
• Habitat: Appalachian Mountains; prefers well-drained, acidic soils.

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia):

• Blooms: Late spring to early summer
• Characteristics: Clusters of pink or white flowers with intricate markings.
• Habitat: Mountainous regions; typically found in rocky or sandy soils.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea):

• Blooms: Summer
• Characteristics: Large, daisy-like flowers with purple petals and a spiky, orange-brown center cone.
• Habitat: Meadows and open woods; drought-tolerant and prefers full sun.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis):

• Blooms: Late summer to early fall
• Characteristics: Bright red, tubular flowers on tall stalks.
• Habitat: Wet areas like stream banks and swamps.

Cultivated and Popular Garden Flowers

Camellia (Camellia japonica):

• Blooms: Winter to early spring
• Characteristics: Large, showy flowers in a range of colors including white, pink, and red.
• Significance: Popular ornamental shrub in southern gardens.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.):

• Blooms: Summer to fall
• Characteristics: Large clusters of small flowers, color varies from blue to pink depending on soil pH.
• Habitat: Prefers well-drained, moist soils and partial to full shade.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides):

• Blooms: Late spring to mid-summer
• Characteristics: Highly fragrant, white flowers and glossy, dark green leaves.
• Habitat: Prefers humid climates with well-drained, acidic soil.

If you are interested in gardening or landscaping in North Carolina, these flowers can add diverse colors, textures, and fragrances to your garden while supporting local ecosystems!