Thanks to its vast apple orchards, the apple blossom is the state flower of Michigan. These light pink or white blossoms appear in the spring, filling the air with a delicate, sweet fragrance. No matter where you travel in the mitten-shaped state, you can find these well-known trees and their noteworthy flowers.
History of the Michigan State Flower
The Michigan state legislature chose the apple blossom as the official state flower on April 28, 1897. While the term apple blossom can refer to any flower on an apple tree, official records call out the apple species Pyrus coronaria since it’s native to Michigan. Today, this species is known as Malus coronaria or the sweet crabapple.
State lawmakers had good reason to choose the apple blossom. Their state has a long history of apple production thanks to its cool winters, gently sloping land, and sunny summers. Michigan is among the top three apple-producing states, along with Washington and New York. Growers produce apples for fresh eating, cider, and products like applesauce and juice.
Although the flowers of the apple tree only appear for a few months, the plants remain an essential part of the landscape throughout the year. Plus, there can’t be any apples without apple blossoms!
If you want to learn about other iconic blooms, check out our full list of state flowers.
Apple Blossom Fun Facts
Want to know more about the Michigan state flower? Then check out these interesting facts about the apple blossom.
- Although apple fruits are the main product people are interested in harvesting, apple blossoms are also edible. They have a slightly sweet and floral flavor and can be used in teas, simple syrups, and garnishes.
- Apple blossoms turn into apples, so a late freeze can kill the flowers and limit fruit production. Climatic changes are bringing earlier warm days followed by late freezes, endangering apple harvests.
- Apple blossoms range in color from deep pink to white, but most of the blooms are some variation of light pink. Most of the flowers have a single layer of petals, but some sport a double layer. All of the flowers have distinct stamens near the center.
- Since apple blossoms require pollination to set, fruit growers often bring in honeybee hives to increase pollination. The bees fly from flower to flower, feeding on nectar and transporting pollen from one bloom to the next.
How to Grow Apple Blossoms
If you want to grow apple blossoms at home, you can choose from a wide variety of species. Edible varieties like Gala, Fuji, and Golden Delicious produce beautiful apple blossoms, but you can also grow ornamental apples that horticulturalists have bred for their flowers rather than their fruits. Although these varieties produce small round fruits, these apples are often small and tart.
Regardless of which type of apple you want to grow, selecting a suitable environment and providing your plant with excellent care is important. Here are some tips for growing trees that produce beautiful apple blossoms.
Select a Suitable Location
Before you choose an apple variety, take note of your growing zone. While most apples grow well in zones 6-9, some can grow in warmer and colder areas. No matter which varieties you choose, plant at least two trees since the flowers require cross-pollination.
Next, choose a location with excellent drainage and at least eight hours of daily light. If you want to grow your plants on a slope, a south-facing slope is ideal. Avoid planting your tree in a low-lying area where water and frost settle.
Plant in the Spring or Fall
Plant your new tree in the spring or fall. Dig a hole that’s as deep and twice as wide as the plant’s root ball to allow the roots to expand. If you’re planting a grafted tree, make sure the horizontal line indicating the graft union is a few feet above the soil surface.
Keep the Soil Moist
Aim to keep the soil moist but not soaking wet. Young trees aren’t as drought-tolerant as older trees, so make sure to water trees at least once a week during their first year of growth. You may be able to decrease the amount of water you provide as the trees mature.
Prune in the Late Winter
The best time to prune apple trees is the late winter or early spring. Pruning helps keep the tree healthy and encourages it to produce new flowers and fruit. Always use clean and sharp tools for pruning. Start by removing any dead and diseased branches, then remove crossing branches. Finally, remove any suckers that are emerging from the base of the trunk.
Order Flowers for Those You Love
Regardless of your state, there’s a flower for you. Even if you’re not in love with the flowers of your home state, we offer a wide range of options for flower delivery. You can choose from well-known favorites like tulips and roses to unique flowers like ginger flowers and anemones.
And if you want to learn more about state flowers, we’re here for you. We’ve put together a variety of guides so you can learn about the Florida state flower and figure out if you want to add your state flower to your garden.
Shop All
