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State Flowers

State Flower of West Virginia

Flower: Rhododendron (Rhododendron Maximum)

The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago inspired the state flower movement. Every state was invited to choose a special flower to represent it at the Fair. But West Virginia was not represented by a state flower at the World’s Fair.

In 1901, Governor George Atkinson declared it was time that Virginia adopted both a state flag and flower. For a State Flower, he said, I know none more beautiful and none more common in West Virginia, than the Rhododendron. It is found along most every vale and hillside, and is universally admired both for its beauty and fragrance. The Senate adopted the rhododendron on January 23, 1903.