Alabama:
Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Symbolism: Devotion
These cold weather bloomers are romantics. Unlike most flowers, the Camellia's petals and sepals stay together, until death do they (still-not) part. Because of their devotion to stick together, they have became a classic symbol for unyielding love.
Alaska:
Forget-Me-Not
(Myosotis alpestris)
Symbolism: Reverence
This dainty blue wildflower blooms in the alpine meadows, beloved by both pioneers and pollinators. The Forget-Me-Not asks the recipient to remember them, and to know they are revered in their memory as well.
Not only is the flower beautiful, it is medicinal as well. Bloody nose? Shove some flowers in it. Inflammation? Sprinkle some blossoms in your salad. They are worth their weight in Klondike gold.
Arizona:
Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)
Symbolism: Endurance, Protection
The desert candelabra stands on her own in the harshest of elements, strong in her solitude. I illustrated this sweet lady a long while back and am glad a whole stae is represented by her.
Arkansas + Michigan:
Apple Blossom (Malus)
Symbolism: Love and Renewal
To roam an apple orchard in spring is to inhale the sweet perfume of fruits to come. This "forbidden fruit" of paradise is enjoyed not only by the birds and bees, but by anything close enough to catch a whiff. These blossoms have been long associated with love, especially in the Celtic culture, where apple blossoms traditionally adorn living spaces to fill the home with renewal. In Biblical texts, the fruit which grew from the flower was so irresistible that it made its way into legends for its tempting appeal.
California:
California Poppy
(Eschscholzia californica)
Symbolism: Peace, Sleep, and Resilience
The California Poppy is a cup of golden petals which opens and closes mirroring the sunlight’s intensity, closing fully to “go to sleep” after sunset. Their feathery hues ripple through wild fields, creating a peaceful yellow glow that stops a viewer in their tracks. These blossoms were long used as medicine for indigenous communities and are no doubt an elixir for the eyes to come upon.
Colorado:
Blue Columbine
(Aquilegia coerulea)
Symbolism: Fortitude, Resilience
Heavenly gold pistols shoot like stars from the Columbine’s soft white petals. Sepals of blue caress their center of white, catching wind with spurs of blue, stretching off in the distance, the exact color of twilight.
The Colorado Blue Columbine adds a touch of enchantment to rugged and unexpected places…The columbine has been at the summit ready to greet you - a speck of tranquility, a symbol of fortitude.
Connecticut + Pennsylvania:
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Symbolism: Ambition and Perseverance
Her buds cluster close together and burst open into cities of petals, making marvelous clouds of pinks against the deep, craggy greens surrounding them. Mountain Laurels are ambitious, growing where the odds are against them in mountainous terrain. They make a great gift for a loved one that have accomplished something against all odds.
Fun Fact: This flower catapults pollen at high-speed! (Video Here)
Delaware:
Peach Blossom (Prunus persica)
Symbolism: Love, Prosperity, Growth
Mountainside orchards blush with the peach blossom’s arrival. They are often the first bright evidence of spring, symbolizing new growth.
During Chinese New Year, you choose a branch with the most buds to give the most prosperity for your year to come.
Florida:
Orange Blossom
Symbolism: Purity and Prosperity
Orange blossoms are small, dainty things that blossom at the same that they bear fruit. They were long-enjoyed by ancient Chinese brides who wore Orange Blossoms to represent both their purity and their fertility. When Queen Victoria adorned her veil with the traditional flowers, she brought them into western vogue, keeping them in popular demand for generations to come. In the modern day, orange blossoms are often associated with Florida.
Georgia:
Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata)
Symbolism: Endurance, Resilience
The Cherokee Rose was chosen as the Georgia state flower as a reminder of preserving heritage. With a heavy history, the cherished flower was cultivated by the Cherokee people when settlers brought it to their lands. Legend has it that when the native people were moved from their homes, the pure white blossom sprouted along the “Trail of Tears” everywhere a tear landed during relocation. Therein, it came to symbolize resilience and endurance of the human spirit when the odds were not in their favor.
Hawaii:
Hawaiian Hibiscus
(Hibiscus brackenridgei)
Symbolism: Hospitality
This striking yellow species of Hibiscus is extremely rare and treasured, representing good fortune, beauty, and hospitality. Traditionally worn behind the ear to symbolize marital status, they were placed on the right ear, if single, and the left ear, if taken.
Endemic to the islands, the Hibiscus has many uses. Cords from the stem create threading for sandals. Teas from their calyx add a jolt of vitamin C to your cups. Love the colors of the petals? They have long been used to dye fabrics. Just be mindful, as this species is endangered and should only be picked when granted permission, that way many generations can continue to enjoy the special blossom
Idaho:
Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii)
Symbolism: Purity, Innocence
Meriwether Lewis (from the Lewis and Clark expedition) enjoyed the woody shrub’s blossoms and wrote of their sweet aroma, strikingly similar to the orange blossom, in his travel logs. The wildflower, growing from branches up to 8 ft high, turned hillsides into glowing white horizons and found its way onto the Idaho people’s hearts and eventually onto their state flag. It has long been enjoyed both for its blossoms and sturdy wood, having been used by Native Americans for pipes, bows, arrows, and more.
Illinois + New Jersey
Rhode Island + Wisconsin:
Violet (Viola)
February Birth Month Flower
Symbolism: Modesty, Faithfulness
It is a flower so beloved for its color, they named a hue of purple after it. These whimsical flowers, that come in more than 500 varieties, symbolize spiritual awareness. They’ve been used for centuries for their perfume and are an edible flower you can candy your cakes with.
Indiana
Peony (Paeonia)
Symbolism: Good Fortune, Happiness
Their name dates back to Greek mythology where a beautiful nymph named Paeonia unintentionally caught the eye of Apollo and angered Aphrodite. The angry Goddess saw the young nymph blushing and turned Paeonia immediately into a red flower, the Peony.
Peony bushes can live long enough to dance through a century and are tied to long-lived happiness, making them perfect for the official 12th wedding anniversary flower.
Iowa + North Dakota
Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana)
The purest perfume of the open roads. Once her petals fall and her rose hip fruit is bore, she feeds you immunity and vitality - rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and vitamin C. The wild prairie rose is a symbol of the strength and beauty of the open fields.
Kansas:
Sunflower
Symbolism: Loyalty, Hope
From Van Gogh to Gustav Klimt, the Sunflower adorns the art world with golden petals of inspiration.
In Greek mythology, the story of the sunflower comes from Apollo, the god of the sun, who would drive it across the sky, and doing so, caught the eye of Clyntie, a doting nymph. When he rejected her, she sat in the same spot, just watching his path, until finally, sitting in the same place long enough, she transformed into a flower - the sunflower - and her devoted gaze continued to follow him, still.
Buddhists tie the sunflower to enlightenment, where it matches our human quest to follow the light.
Kentucky + Nebraska:
Goldenrod
Symbolism: Protection, Encouragement
As fall peaks, so too do the wild stalks of Goldenrod. Reaching up to 8 ft. in height, the spindly blooms are a golden beacon for butterflies and pollinators alike, making them a keystone species responsible for keeping biodiversity thriving.
As useful as they are beautiful, the Goldenrod is also medicinal, used to relieve arthritis, treat urinary tract infections, and soothe sore throats.
In folklore, their presence indicates the source of a hidden spring (or perhaps even a hidden treasure).
Louisiana + Mississippi
Magnolia (Magnolia)
Symbolism: Nobility, Perseverance
This hardwood tree is believed to be the first flowering plant, existing before there were even bees! It’s no wonder why brides choose this endurant, long-standing blossom, as it has seen it all over the last 100 million years.
Beetles pollinate these fragrant white flowers, and sometimes humans eat their delicious, gingery tepals. I like to make simple syrup out of their petals and some folks use them to make cakes!
Maine
White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Symbolism: Unity, Strength
Towering to 100 ft high, her old growth canopies present a forest cathedral. She is a majestic tree, comprised of many rows, of arms, covered in pine needles that let trickles of light reach to the forest floor.
Native Americans call her the Peace Tree, after the legend of the white pine uniting waring neighbors. Thoreau built his Walden Pond house from white pine and hid in a forest of it.
I saw in her many powerful arms, like Durga, embodying strength in many ways, protecting her wild creatures and standing tall over the Northeastern lands.
Maryland:
Black-Eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta)
State Flower of Maryland
Symbolism:Positivity and Protection
Summer and Black-Eyed Susans go hand-in-hand. The brilliant yellow blossoms seem to encapsulate sunshine-filled afternoons, dancing around in the breeze, and artists have long been mused by their warm-hued invitation. Functionally, the Chippewa found medicinal benefits from the flower’s roots, using it to wash snake bites and alleviate parasites.
Where did the name come from? The first settlers in America took the name from an old English poem by John Gay, where Black-Eyed Susan searched and searched for her long lost sailor, Sweet William (who also has a flower named after him, Dianthus barbatus, that often grows alongside Black-Eyed Susans).
Massachusetts:
Mayflower
(Epigaea repens)
Symbolism: Humility and New Beginnings
It flowers in May and was beloved by pilgrims on the Mayflower, so what did they name it? The Mayflower. Native Americans gifted the fragrant blossoms to settlers as a symbol of peace and shared ways to use it both medicinally, for headaches and colds, and in the kitchen, to add a sweet, spicy kick.
In Chinese folklore, the flower is associated with the lunar calendar and the goddess Chang’e who lived on the moon. In Christianity, it is associated with the Resurrection.
Minnesota:
Pink-and-White Lady's Slipper
(Cypripedium reginae)
Symbolism: Good Luck, Innocence
Delve into the bogs and damp woods of Minnesota, and you will find the patient blossoms of summer, taking up to 16 years to bloom. This unique orchid is adorned with a pearly white top and a pink slipper foot. They’re a pleasant pop of blush in a densely green backdrop and can be hard to find as their specific habitat dwindles. Once cherished for perfumes and church altar decor, they are rare and protected beauty these days.
Also referred to as the "Moccassin Flower", the Ojibwe people share a legend of the flower's origin, telling of the brave woman who left her village to find medicine for her people, but ran into snow and ice on her journey back. As legend has it, she trudged deeper through the snow, eventually losing her strength, and could walk no longer. Her villagers found her stranded with the medicine and brought her back, now able to save the village because of her bravery. Wherever her moccassins hadtread in the snow, small slipper-like flowers began to grow, a reminder of her courage.
Missouri
Hawthorn (Crataegus)
May's Birth Month Flower
Symbolism: Fertility, Longevity
Hawthorn is a heart healer, helping blood circulate to the heart. This blood tonic blossom is related to the rose and is often brewed steeped into tea to help alleviate heartache and encourage self-love. In Celtic lore, it is seen as a "fairy tree" that guards sacred boundaries.
Montana
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)
Symbolism: Strength, Resilience
When Montana’s snow melts, these blushing blooms begin in a hurry, appearing like tossed flowers all along the landscape. The ephemeral perennial plant mingles its low rosette of succulent leaves in the world of sagebrush and cultural significance. Native Americans traditionally gathered roots and dried them to mix with meals. There is rich metaphor behind her revival from a seamlessly lifeless state, dry and uprooted and still able to come back, gifting her a fitting Latin name, rediviva.
Nevada
Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
Symbolism: Survival, Strength
To call sagebrush a sacred symbol of the west would be an understatement. The hardy evergreen unravels its silver-green carpet through the harshest deserts like a blanket, tucking in sandy earth to rest. Rich with cultural significance, she bears many uses…drink her leaves for tea, burn her wood for fuel, smudge her smoke for cleansing… and the list goes on.
When crushed, the three-toothed leaves give off their spicy, signature scent that reigns over the landscape. After a rare rain, the atmosphere swims in its perfume with deep revery. Artemisia tridentata tends to favor cold deserts, and where I lived in Taos, New Mexico, it reigned supreme, omnipresent, an expected part of every horizon, an old friend.
New Hampshire
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Symbolism: First Love, Renewal
Native to the scrublands of southeast Europe, the Lilac is known as not just a lovely sight, but a medicinal, culinary, and aromatic delight as well. The powdery, gentle scent of the Lilac adds an aroma of calm and can only be captured through cold extraction, as the delicate scent dissipates in heat. Lilac blossoms can be soaked in honey or sugar water to infuse into floral syrups, beloved in the springtime and often used in teas for cold remedies.
Their antioxidant rich blossoms can be concocted into fabulous skincare toners, creams, and more and add a glow to the skin.
In Greek mythology, Syringa (the Lilac’s Latin name) was a fair forest nymph courted by the amorous Pan. Fleeing his attention, she transformed herself into the flower to escape his advances. This is why I drew her running!
Pan, seeing the beautiful and unfamiliar plant, cut off a branch of the hard, hollow wood to fashion into a Syrinx, a wind instrument, and was known to regularly play it thereafter, keeping her with him.
New Mexico
Yucca (Yucca elata)
Symbolism: Strength, Purity
She’s the Mojave bouquet. Her roots feed you. Her fibers make cords for baskets. Her seeds make jewelry and toys. She’s something of a quiet beauty, with each rosette only flowering once a year… But bloom, she surely does.
New York and Oklahoma:
Rose (Rosa)
Birth Month Flower of June
Symbolism: Beauty, Passion
The rose speaks for itself. Or, perhaps she sings. She's The velvet queen of the garden. She's the fragrant perfume in the bath. She's the bouquet for the suitor, and she's long been beloved for both her beauty and her benefits. Sip rosehip teas to sooth illness or splash rose-water to tone skin.
Culturally, she is one of the first cultivated blossoms, picked for honoring deities. In Roman times, they even held Rose Festivals, honoring great heroes with rose wreaths. She is the flower Aphrodite created from blood and tears.
She is the flower that livens up a tango. These days, she is the flower that Valentines give by the dozen, and who would blame them?
North Carolina + Virginia
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
Symbolism: Rebirth, Purity
When you think of the four-petaled Dogwood flower, what you are actually looking at are showy bracts, modified leaves surrounding the tiny, inconspicuous flowers in the center! These little flowers turn to berry-like drupes which nourish the birds.
The showy bract “flowers” are symbolic in Christian culture, where the four petals represent the crucifixion. In Native American cultures, the Dogwood is associated with strength and healing.
In Victorian times, bachelors often offered a sprig of Dogwood as an innitiative symbol of affection towards a love interest. If returned, their feelings were unrequited. If received, their affections were seen as mutual and worth pursuing.
Ohio:
Scarlet Carnation
(Dianthus caryophyllus)
Symbolism: Love, Luck, Devotion, Respect
Classic Valentine’s flowers, these striking scarlet blossoms have long been associated with love and luck. In ancient Greece, the flowers were beloved “flowers of the gods” and became one of the first plants cultivated by botanists. Still to this day, carnations remain one of the most popular blossoms worldwide.
In Ohio, the Scarlet Carnation is especially loved. It was picked as the state flower to honor the former U.S. President William McKinley who was born there. He donned the flower for good fortune and had them put in parks, parades and his front-yard flower-patch.
Not only are they lovely and lucky, but they’re also medicinal. Love sick? Brew the spicy flowers for an energy boost! Need to hide some fine lines? Extract the oil for a hydrating skin cream. Trying to garnish a cake? Pluck some clove-like spicy petals.
Oregon
Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium)
Symbolism: Adaptability, Resilience
When spring sings the flowers awake, Oregon Grape fills the Pacific Northwest with soft, butter-yellow blossoms. The holly-like leaves change to deep reds and purples as fall approaches - right in time for harvesting the dusty-blue berries. The tart berries are beloved in the cascades for jellies and wine, and the rest of the plant is equally as relevant. Roots and bark were often boiled into strong yellow concoctions, used for medicine, and dying fabrics and fibers for baskets.
The Saanich People of Vancouver Island traditionally harvested the inner bark and roots for treating shellfish poisoning, as the plant holds strong antibacterial + antimicrobial properties, perfect for alleviating Giardia and other ailments as well. It cleans the blood internally and clears infections and irritations externally. (Note: Avoid consuming during pregnancy)
South Carolina
Yellow jessamine
(Gelsemium sempervirens)
Symbolism: Grace, Strength
The Yellow Jessamine weaves her vine up trees and around fences, lattices, and pillars throughout the southeast. She grows swiftly, towering into a cascade of butter-golden blossoms every start to spring.
Her fragrant trumpet flowers are a beauty to the eyes, but not to the touch, for the entirety of her is poisonous, albeit bumblebees have been known to enjoy her splendors.
South Dakota
Pasque Flower
(Pulsatilla hirsutissima)
Symbolism: Joy, Hope
Dainty patches of Pasque Flowers sprout from the season's last snow, and seeing them means spring will soon follow. The prairie perennial's fine hairs insulate them from chill and catch the morning light, making entire fields glow with a silvery sheen.
A toxic relative to the Buttercup, the Pasque Flower is a powerful medicinal plant used with care by natives and settlers for many ailments including aromatherapy for headaches and poultice for topical rheumatism treatments.
Tennessee:
Iris (Iris)
Symbolism: Wisdom, Courage
She is a blossom with sun in her center and twilight in her edges, patiently unfolded, grounded in her deep roots. Familiar with her perfume? The iris root, after 3-5 years, matures into a fragrant thread, making the iris a perfume requiring patience to produce. Not only are the roots aromatic, they were long used medicinally for migraines and toothaches.
The name of the Iris came from the Greek word for ‘rainbow’, a fitting name for a flower growing so many color varieties. It originated in Syria where it grew throughout fields and captivated the interest of royal gardeners.
Texas State Flower:
Bluebonnet (Lupinus)
Symbolism: Fortitude, Pride
The Bluebonnet fills the horizon with rich blue hues each spring. Known to grow in other places, Texas houses the most Bluebonnets of any place in the world, for their long days and sandy soils make the perfect condition for these nitrogen-fixing flower towers.
The Lone Star State’s Bluebonnet was discovered and named after the early settler’s headwear which shaded pioneers from the sun, and has since been a favorite flower choice for Texan bouquets.
According to historian Jack Maguire, “the bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England, and the tulip to Holland.”
Fun Fact: The flowers communicate with colors, changing their centers from pure white to blush pink when their sweet nectar has been enjoyed, post-pollination.
Utah
Sego Lily (Calochortus nuttallii)
Symbolism: Survival, Hope
The tulip-like flowers rest atop windswept stems, donning brilliant yellow and violet banded centers. As lovely as the blossom may be, it is less the flower than the bulb that takes the limelight for this lifesaving plant.
The Shoshone, Ute, and Goshute consider the Sego Lily a sacred “Life Plant” because its edible bulb nourishes all that live around it. They introduced early settlers to the Sego Lily which, in turn, helped pioneers survive times of scarcity. It became a symbol of resilience and survival, granting plenitude in harsh landscapes where other crops struggled. The plant became a beacon of hope for early settlers and remains dear to the land it grows in. Note that the plant should be foraged with caution, as it strongly resembles the highly poisonous Death Camass plant, which grows in similar regions.
Vermont
Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
Symbolism: Protection, Luck
Ever seen her? She’s a pink pillow of petals growing low to the ground, poking her head amongst wild grasses. This nitrogen-fixing beauty nourishes pastures and bribes many bees to make honey.
When in Ireland, Celtic tradition suggests she wards off evil spirits, bringing protection and good fortune.
Medicinally, Red Clover purifies the blood and is an ally for women’s health, especially during menopause, for she mimics estrogen and balances hormones.
In traditional harvesting, the Red Clover is enjoyed in many fashions. You can eat the flower when it’s young, adding blush pink to salads or sides. Young leaves can be prepared similarly to spinach. You can even use the dried seed pods as a substitute for flour!
West Virginia + Washington:
Rhododendron
(Rhododendron)
Symbolism: Caution, Elegance
One of the showiest wild shrubs of the forest understory, the Rhododendron adorns the forest with trusses of blushing blossoms, appearing bejeweled through early hours of morning dew.
Note that, albeit she’s decadent for the eyes, she is poisonous and shouldn’t be ingested.
Adding to her cautionary intrigue, she has long been associated as the guard to the world of the dead according to Himalayan lore.
Wyoming
Indian Paintbrush
(Castilleja linariifolia)
Symbolism: Creativity, Courage, The Fire Within
The torch-like towers of the Indian Paintbrush don the color of fire, also referred to as “Prairie Fire” or the “Painted Lady”. The edible bracts (modified leaves which are often confused as petals) hold the colors of a trapped sunset.
They were long used by Native Americans to treat rheumatism and make red dye. The Menominee people even used it for a love charm, and, that said, certainly charms pollinators with their bright hues and sweet nectar.
As legend has it, the Great Spirit saw a young artist entranced by a sunset but saw them grow frustrated as they tried and failed to capture its true color. As a gift, the Great Spirit dipped an enchanted paint brush into the sky and it became the brilliant hues which the young artist sought. As they painted the horizon, they left behind streaks across the plains, and from those enchanted spots, the Indian Paintbrush bloomed.
January:
Carnation
February:
Violet
March:
Daffodils
April:
Daisy
May:
Hawthorn
June:
Rose
July:
Lotus
August:
Poppies
September:
Morning Glory
October:
Cosmos
November:
Chrysanthemum
December:
Holly
To create a custom design commission, contact junebunchstudio@gmail.com
Press Links: St. Pete Life Magazine | Canvas Rebel | Tampa Artist Incubator | Creative Pinellas
June Bunch grew up in St. Pete, where art ran deep in her family. A self-taught artist, she learned how to draw from her father and borrowed art books to study the greats. Her passion for plants stemmed from her grandfather's garden and came to full bloom working for a plant nursery in Winter Haven. The ballet elements of her botanical drawings sprouted from her move to Juneau, Alaska, where she took on a naturalist job and witnessed daily growth of flora on the trails. Unable to find words for their patterns of growth, she encapsulated her sister's love for dance as a means to reveal the plants' movement as "botanical ballet". June Bunch has displayed her works throughout galleries and private collections in St. Petersburg, FL, Asheville, NC, Moab, UT, Taos, NM, and Juneau, AK.
Georgia O’Keeffe, Erté (Romain de Tirtoff), Alphonse Mucha, Henri Matisse, and Antoni Gaudí.
2026
Solo Show - 50 State Flower Ladies - CityArts Cafe - Orlando, FL
Solo Show - 50 State Flower Ladies - Morean Arts Center - St. Petersburg, FL
2025
Paradise - Art Center Sarasota - Sarasoata, FL *MERIT AWARD*
Influencers Member Show - Morean Arts Center - St. Petersburg, FL
Summer Heat - Gulf Coast Arts Alliance - St. Petersburg, FL
Solo Show - State Flower Ladies Pt. 1 - Funky as a Monkey Gallery at PAW - St. Petersburg, FL
Essence of Spring - ClearwaterLibary Gallery - Clearwater, FL
Fantasy Exhibition - Imagine Museum - St. Petersburg, FL
2024
Small Wonders - Morean Arts Center - St. Petersburg, FL
Wish You Were Here Member Show - Morean Arts Center - St. Petersburg, FL *HONORABLE MENTION*
COLLECTIONS - Five Deuces Galleria - St. Petersburg, FL
Dreams of Spring - Art @ 400 Gallery - St. Petersburg, FL
Solo Show - Botanical Ballerinas - Funky as a Monkey Gallery at PAW - St. Petersburg, FL
2023
PASSIONS - Five Deuces Galleria - St. Petersburg, FL
Birds of a Feather - Dunedin Fine Arts Center - Dunedin, FL
