Discover the Official State Flower of Oklahoma (When It Blooms and Where to See It!)

Written by Nixza Gonzalez
Updated: August 22, 2023
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Oklahoma is a beautiful state with about 2,465 species of vascular plants. This stunning state borders Texas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arkansas. It’s also home to over 3.7 million people! Oklahoma’s official state flower is one all residents may be familiar with, but it can be confusing. There are technically two official state flowers. Follow along to discover the official state flower of Oklahoma, including where to see it and when it blooms!

The Official State Flower of Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s official state flower is the Rosa ‘Oklahoma’. It was chosen as the state’s official flower in 2004. Interestingly, this beautiful and vivid red flower was first developed in 1963. Previously, the mistletoe was considered the official state flower of Oklahoma, but it’s the state’s official floral emblem adopted in 1893.

Dark Red Flower of Rose 'Oklahoma' in Full Bloom

Oklahoma’s official state flower is the Rosa ‘Oklahoma’. It was designated as the official flower in 2004.

©MasterChefNobu/Shutterstock.com

About the Oklahoma Rose

The Oklahoma Rose, also known as Rosa Oklahoma, is a beautiful deep red. It’s best known for its sweet and strong fragrance. Herbert C. Swim and O. L. Weeks at Oklahoma State University hybridized and created the rose. It was introduced in 1964. They created this hybrid tea rose from the Chrysler Imperial and Charles Mallerin cultivars.

When Does it Bloom?

So, when does this beautiful flower bloom? The Rosa Oklahoma blooms from spring to early fall. They are popular landscaping flowers in the state. You can find them in many public parks and front yards in Oklahoma.

This hybrid tea rose has about 40 to 50 petals on each flower and boasts bushy dark green leaves. The glossy green and black-red contrast well and add a pop of color to any outdoor space. These plants can grow up to 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. They are disease resilient and are excellent container flowers. While roses are seen as delicate, these flowers aren’t picky. However, they thrive in well-draining soil and full sun. It’s best to start planting Rose Oklahoma in autumn.

You must prune well during spring. Weeds can easily take over the space these roses need. Always remove old or dead stems and leaves before the blooming season.

Beautiful roses. Closeup view of Rosa Oklahoma flowers of red petals, spring blooming in the garden.

Rosa Oklahoma plants can grow up to 8 feet tall.

©Gonzalo de Miceu/Shutterstock.com

Best Places to See Oklahoma Roses

It’s unlikely you’ll see these roses growing in the wild. However, you can purchase them in many gardening and landscaping stores. Oklahoma roses are also common in botanical gardens and public parks. Many people also grow them in their homes. They can be difficult to distinguish from other similar cultivars, but, Oklahoma roses typically have a sweeter scent.

The Official State Wildflower of Oklahoma

Now that you’ve learned a little about Oklahoma’s official state flower, we can dive into the state’s official wildflower. The state’s official wildflower is easy to recognize. The government of Oklahoma designated the Indian blanket as the state’s official wildflower in 1986. It’s abundant throughout the state and easy to identify. Another name for this stunning flower is the fireball.

Indian Blanket

Oklahoma’s official state wildflower is the Indian blanket.

©Somkid Saowaros/Shutterstock.com

About the Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)

Indian blankets are North American native perennial or annual flowering plants in the sunflower family. They are tall and typically grow in groups. Indian blankets can grow up to 2 feet tall in the right conditions. They have smooth to coarsely toothed edges and a hairy stem. These flowers are best known for their bright colors. The petals are red, orange, and yellow. You can find these stunning flowers in northern Mexico and the southern and central United States. Although it’s native to North America, this flower grows in China, South Africa, and parts of South America.

When does the Indian Blanket Bloom?

The Indian blanket blooms in late spring and early summer depending on the region. They are most abundant from May to July. However, some cultivars bloom in early fall. These flowers like well-draining soil and some shade. They attract butterflies and can grow without the help of humans. Indian blankets are also popular garden flowers. If you want to plant Indian blankets, the best time to sow the seeds is about 6-8 weeks before the last frost.

Indian Blanket Wildflowers cover a field in the Texas Hill Country outside Bandera, Texas.

Indian blankets bloom in late spring and early summer.

©Donna Milner/Shutterstock.com

Where to see Indian Blankets in Oklahoma

You can see these flowers nearly everywhere in Oklahoma during summer. They mainly grow in large groups in dry plains and open areas. These flowers are resilient and grow anywhere, including cracks in sidewalks. They are sometimes also sold in bouquets.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Gonzalo de Miceu/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Nixza Gonzalez is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering topics like travel, geography, plants, and marine animals. She has over six years of experience as a content writer and holds an Associate of Arts Degree. A resident of Florida, Nixza loves spending time outdoors exploring state parks and tending to her container garden.

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