Discover the Official State Flowers of Tennessee (When It Blooms and Where to See Them!)

Every state in the union has adopted a number of symbols that emanate the vibe of the state’s lifestyle and personality. Some states officially claim everything from the official beverage (North Carolina claims milk!) to the official state fabric. More commonly, you’ll find insects, flowers, trees, and mammals among the ranks. But in Tennessee, you get more than just one flower: you get three.

The official Tennessee State flower is the Iris. But Tennessee has two official wildflowers as well, the Tennessee coneflower (or Tennessee echinacea) and the passionflower.

Let’s take a look at these gorgeous blooms, where you’ll find them, and when they bloom.

Tennessee Official State Flower: Iris

Adopted in 1933, the iris became the state’s official cultivated flower. Interestingly enough, the passionflower was already the official wildflower of Tennessee and had been for over a decade. The most commonly seen iris is the Purple Flag Iris, but the state designation wasn’t specific about species or variety. In fact, the whole family Iridaceae (iris family) was designated.

If you look through statements about the flower, you might notice some date discrepancies. As noted above, the iris was adopted in 1933. But there was a little bit of a mix up. You see, in 1919, the General Assembly provided the state flower of the passionflower in 1919. The flower was chosen by schoolchildren of Tennessee.

Then, in 1933, the Legislature deemed the iris to be the state flower. Unfortunately, they failed to rescind the passion flower as the official flower. Eventually, in 1973, the 88th General Assembly succeeded in making the passionflower the state wildflower and the iris the official state cultivated flower.

How Common Are Irises in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, you’re extremely likely to see the iris blooming in private and public gardens across the state.

Can You Pick Irises in Tennessee?

Wild irises are protected in the state of Tennessee. You cannot dig up the bulbs or pick the flowers without legal consequences. When found in gardens, you should only pick those you have direct, specific permission from the owner to do so.

Where Do You Find Irises in Tennessee?

The flower flourishes in the climate of Tennessee, in every region of the state, so they are pretty much anywhere you can look for them. They frequently grow in show gardens, museum gardens, house gardens, and cutting gardens.

And though they are the cultivated state flower, you will also find these beautiful blooms in the wild. Irises love shaded, rich, swampy areas. They also love wetlands and coastal plains.

When Do Irises Bloom in Tennessee?

The iris flower blooms from April into June in Tennessee, showing off its incredible beauty for the entire season of spring.

Tennessee Official Wildflower #1 – Passionflower

The exotic, unusual-looking wildflower found throughout the South and in South America, the passionflower, was the original official state flower of Tennessee. The flower has a few other names, including maypop, wild apricot, and Ocoee. The latter name was given to the flower by the Indigenous people of the area, with the nearby river and valley of the same name. The flower was prized among the people for its beauty.

But when early Christian missionaries came to the area, they also highly valued the flower, largely for its believed symbolism. If you look closely, you’ll see why: visuals could imply three crosses, nails, the crown of thorns, and cords. This is where it gets the name Passionflower.

How Common Are Passionflowers in Tennessee?

Passionflowers in Tennessee are reasonably common as both wildflowers and cultivated flowers.

Can You Pick Passionflowers in Tennessee?

There seems not to be a statement against picking these flowers in the wild, generally speaking. However, state parks, county parks, and national parks have restrictions on plants and should not be picked within these bounds.

Where Do You Find Passionflowers in Tennessee?

Passionflowers may be found in the wild in sunny areas and fertile soil.

When Do Passionflowers Bloom in Tennessee?

From June to August, passion flowers bloom, offering up their exotic beauty to wildlife and humans alike.

Tennessee Official Wildflower #2 – Tennessee Coneflower (Echinacea)

The third official flower of Tennessee was adopted in 2012 – the Tennessee coneflower. Also known as the Tennessee echinacea or the Tennessee purple coneflower, the lovely wildflower thrives in Middle Tennessee. For many years, the flower was thought to be extinct, but in the late 1960s, it re-emerged. Conservancy efforts helped to restore the flower on purchased and protected land where the species recovered. The flower looks a bit like a daisy, with rosy purple petals and a spiky cone-shaped center of copper.

How Common Are Tennessee Coneflowers?

Tennessee Coneflowers have recovered officially, but they are still rare.

Can You Pick Tennessee Coneflowers?

You may not pick Tennessee Coneflowers. They are a protected species.

Where Do You Find Tennessee Coneflowers in Tennessee?

The Tennessee purple coneflower is found in less than 10 locations in Wilson, Rutherford, and Davidson Counties in Tennessee.

When Do Tennessee Coneflowers Bloom in Tennessee?

Tennessee echinacea bloom from June to August, offering the pollinators of the state an important food source all summer long.