The national flower of the United States is the rose.
The rose became the United States’ national floral emblem in 1986, when Congress adopted legislation designating it and President Ronald Reagan issued the formal proclamation. The law refers to the flower commonly known as the rose rather than selecting one particular species or cultivar, so the emblem represents the rose broadly.
Roses have deep roots in American history and culture. They grow across the country, appear in gardens and public ceremonies, and have long symbolized love, devotion, beauty, and remembrance. George Washington was also known to cultivate and breed roses, adding to the flower’s historical associations with the nation’s early leadership.
A common mix-up is confusing the national floral emblem with state flowers. Several states and the District of Columbia have their own official roses or rose relatives. For example, North Dakota’s state flower is the wild prairie rose, while Georgia’s is the Cherokee rose. These designations do not replace the rose’s national status.