The rose is the national flower of the United States — named the country’s official floral emblem in 1986, and beloved in gardens from coast to coast.

• National flower: Rose
• Scientific name: Rosa
• Status: Official national floral emblem (1986)
• Symbolism: love, beauty, and devotion

About United States’s national flower

After years of debate (the marigold was a leading rival), the rose was signed into law as the national floral emblem of the United States in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. Roses grow in all fifty states and have deep roots in American gardens and history.

Symbolism and tradition

The rose features in American ceremonies, from weddings to memorials, and appears in state flowers of New York, Georgia, Iowa, North Dakota, and Oklahoma, reinforcing its national standing.

National flower of United States FAQs

What is the national flower of United States?

The national flower of United States is the rose (Rosa). The rose was designated the national floral emblem of the United States in 1986.

What does the rose symbolize in United States?

In the United States the rose stands for love, beauty, and enduring devotion, and it grows in every state, which is part of why it was chosen to represent the whole nation.

When did the rose become the US national flower?

The rose was designated the official national floral emblem of the United States in 1986, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

Explore more

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