The Rhododendron
West Virginia’s state flower is the rhododendron. It officially beat out the honeysuckle and wild rose in 1903 when school children voted on the matter. They must have enjoyed the rhododendron’s purple, pink, or white blooms that can be seen by the roadside in the late spring. The plant is actually a shrub, which keeps its leaves year round.
While flower shops would not generally stock these wild blooms, a pink, white, and purple flower arrangement can symbolize the colors of the state flower. This soft color palate is great as a symbol of friendship, for sympathy flowers, or for thank-you flowers.
There are many floral varieties that come in those colors such as roses, spray roses, carnations, daisy pom pons, lilies, limonium, waxflower, and snapdragons. If you would like the design to have a more natural feel as if it was picked from a field, then ask your florist to include blooms that have a ‘wildflower’ look to them. Including a variety of greenery will also create an earthy feel. A mason jar is a suitable container for this type of arrangement. Your recipient may even reuse the jar as a decoration or to store things.
The Mountain State
It is not surprising that West Virginia is nicknamed “the Mountain State:” it has the highest average elevation of any state west of the Mississippi! In fact, early European settlers even referred to the state as “the Switzerland of America” because of its many high peaks in the Appalachians. Most notable among West Virginia’s mountains is Spruce Knob. It soars 861 feet above sea level and is located in Pendelton County. The faces of the mountain are covered in a dense spruce forest, hence its name. Spruce Knob’s summit is the highest in West Virginia.
Especially during winter, there are many ways to incorporate spruce and other evergreens like those found in the mountains into floral gifts. Centerpieces are popular arrangements during the holidays and are long lasting when made from greens like spruce, pine, fir, holly, and cedar. A holiday centerpiece makes a lovely hostess gift. Or, send it to the family you cannot be with this holiday season to let them know you are thinking of them. Winter greenery is not just limited to centerpieces, however. All your holiday décor like wreaths, swags, garlands, vase arrangements, and grave blankets can be crafted from this fragrant foliage so they last long after the presents have been unwrapped and the guests have said goodnight.
Call Kremp Florist if you wish to send a uniquely West Virginia gift. The florist can have you on your way to sending your next flower delivery today.