Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (2024)

florapedia / flower-facts / Kentucky State Flower – The Goldenrod

December 10, 2015

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (1)

Botanical Name

Solidago gigantea

Year Adopted

1926

Peak Bloom

August to September

History

When deliberating on which flower should represent Kentucky, the War Department argued for the official designation of the trumpet vine because of its association with the state militia.

Fun Fact

More than 30 species of goldenrod are native to Kentucky.

When most people think of Kentucky’s flora, Kentucky Bluegrass often springs to mind. In fact, Bluegrass is so entwined with the state’s identity that it was once selected as the Kentucky state flower despite the fact that it is actually a grass.

Today, the Kentucky state flower is the Goldenrod. Lawmakers chose the leggy yellow plant to replace Bluegrass in 1926 after gardening clubs complained that Bluegrass represented only one region of the geographically diverse state. Apparently they were less bothered about its status as a grass!

The tall and spindly plant thrives in many conditions and soil types. Kentucky’s state flower has green foliage and prominent yellow flowers that blossom most actively in the summer time. Yellow fields of Goldenrod appear across Kentucky the flowers bloom in late summer and early fall.

While many species of the plant are celebrated, state lawmakers singled out the Solidago Gigantea species as the Kentucky state flower. The species grows to up to eight feet tall, twice the height of other Goldenrods!

Goldenrods earned their name from their inflorescence, or upper stem, along which bright, small flowers grow in clusters. The flower’s rays attract butterflies and bees, which pollinate the plant and feed on its nectar.

Residents of the Bluegrass state have a long history of appreciating the Kentucky state flower. The flower appears on the state flag encircling the Kentucky state seal. Well before that, Native Americans valued the plant as a medicinal herb. Teas prepared from parts of the Goldenrod were used to reduce fevers, as well as treat bladder and kidney problems, among other things.

Growing Information

Soil

Well-drained

Sun

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Zones

4 - 9

ALL STATES

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (13)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (14)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (15)

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Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (17)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (18)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (19)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (20)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (21)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (22)

Kentucky State Flower - The Goldenrod - ProFlowers Blog (2024)

FAQs

Why was the goldenrod chosen as the Kentucky state flower? ›

Goldenrod flower Elizabethtown KY was not chosen to be the state's official flower just because of its stunning appearance and abundance in the state but also because of the meaning this flower holds. One of the significance is that the goldenrod flower is good fortune, success and prosperity.

What is the significance of the goldenrod flower? ›

Historically, solidago has been used as a symbol of good fortune, growth, and encouragement. Because of its ability to survive in diverse, harsh environments, goldenrod represents good luck and a pioneering spirit (pretty fitting given its origins in the meadows and pastures of North America).

What is the goldenrod flower in Kentucky? ›

Goldenrod is the flower of several states. This particular species is Kentucky's state flower. There are somewhere of over one hundred species of the flower and around thirty reside in Kentucky. Goldenrod was once incorrectly thought to create hay fever with it's pollen, but it was being mistaken with ragweed.

What did the Indians use goldenrod for? ›

Historically, goldenrod (Solidago canadensis or Solidago virgaurea) has been used on the skin to heal wounds. It has also been used as a diuretic, meaning it helps the body get rid of excess fluid. The name solidago means "to make whole."

What are some fun facts about goldenrod flowers? ›

Goldenrod flowers are an important late-season food source for pollinators. Goldenrod seeds are food for small birds in winter. Canada goldenrod can be found throughout Minnesota. Though it is native to North America, Canada goldenrod is considered an invasive weed in Europe and Asia.

Why is goldenrod important? ›

One of the most important late-season pollinator plants you can cultivate, goldenrod's nectar draws beneficial insects, bees and butterflies to your garden, while its seed heads provide fall and winter food for birds. Nonetheless, despite all the evidence, many of us will continue to think of goldenrod as a weed.

When did the goldenrod became the state flower? ›

April 4 marks the anniversary of the designation of the goldenrod as Nebraska's state flower in 1895. A legislative resolution giving the state a floral emblem was introduced by Representative L. P. Judd of Cedar Rapids and later signed into law by Governor Silas A. Holcomb on April 4, 1895.

Is goldenrod good or bad? ›

The above-ground parts of the goldenrod plant are used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to relieve pain and swelling. Goldenrod contains beneficial chemicals, including: Saponins. Saponins have antifungal properties that may help inhibit the growth of harmful yeast.

What does goldenrod mean spiritually? ›

When You Connect with Goldenrod it means: Despite challenging circ*mstances, there are opportunities coming your way. You have healing gifts and it's time to fully explore what you are capable of as a healer.

What flower is Kentucky known for? ›

The goldenrod is the official state flower of Kentucky.

What is the rare flower in Kentucky? ›

This small flower with lilac or white petals is found only in Bullitt and Jefferson counties and nowhere else on Earth. The Kentucky glade cress is a small (two to four inches in height), annual plant that grows on areas of flat, thin soil.

What is Kentucky's state motto? ›

The state motto of Kentucky, "United we stand, divided we fall," was from a popular 1768 tune entitled the "Liberty Song," by John Dickinson.

What does the goldenrod flower symbolize? ›

One of the most common symbols associated with goldenrod is wealth, due to its vibrant, golden color. It's also often seen as a symbol of good luck or good fortune. In terms of its association with the change of season, goldenrod is a sign of the approach of autumn, given its late summer to fall blooming season.

Who should not take goldenrod? ›

Avoid use if you have an allergy to latex. Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Goldenrod may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, chamomile, mugwort, sunflower, marigolds, daisies, and many others.

Is goldenrod good for kidneys? ›

Goldenrod supplements come in many forms, such as tea, tincture, and liquid extracts. 2 These supplements are widely available in stores and online. Goldenrod is primarily used as a diuretic and for urological (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra) conditions.

Why was the state flower chosen? ›

The plant's bright orange flowers are an unmatched symbol of the Golden State, perhaps viewed as a floral representation of the “fields of gold” sought during the gold rush.

How did Kentucky get its state flower? ›

Today, the Kentucky state flower is the Goldenrod. Lawmakers chose the leggy yellow plant to replace Bluegrass in 1926 after gardening clubs complained that Bluegrass represented only one region of the geographically diverse state. Apparently they were less bothered about its status as a grass!

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