Apple Blossom   Apple Blossom is the state flower of Arkansas and Michigan. Buy state flowers

Johnny Appleseed spent 49 years of his life in the American wilderness planting apple seeds.  After 200 years, some of those trees still bear apples.  Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman.  He was born September 26, 1774 in Massachusetts.  His dream was for a land where blossoming apple trees were everywhere and no one was hungry.  A gentle and kind man, he slept outdoors and walked barefoot around the country planting apple seeds everywhere he went.  Johnny was a friend to everyone he met.  Indians and settlers, even the animals, liked Johnny Appleseed.  Johnny Appleseed died in 1845.  It was the only time he had been sick -- in over 70 years!!! Most of the earliest apple trees in northern Arkansas were reportedly the product of Johnny Appleseed’s labors.  He also planted apples in Michigan, which became one of the biggest commercial apple-growing states.  Today, Michigan ranks second only to Washington State as an apple producer. William Harris is credited with proposing the apple blossom as Michigan's state flower.  He was reportedly inspired by a large apple orchard across from his home in Norwood, Michigan.  Joint Resolution 10 was introduced on February 9, 1897.  It was accompanied by the following preamble:  WHEREAS, A refined sentiment seems to call for the adoption of a state flower; and WHEREAS, Our blossoming apple trees add much to the beauty of our landscape, as Michigan apples have gained a worldwide reputation; and WHEREAS, At least one of the most fragrant and beautiful flowered species of apple, the pyrus coronaria, is native to our state...  Harris’ bill wandered through the legislative process for several weeks. Around mid-April, apple blossoms were beginning to appear in southern Michigan.  Anna Eliza Woodcock knew about the apple blossom bill.  When her Snow apple trees burst into beautiful blossoms, she had an idea.  Since she lived just two blocks from the Capitol, she would put some apple blossoms in a wheelbarrow and deliver them to the legislative chambers!  The fragrant blossoms certainly didn’t hurt the cause.  The blossom of the apple tree was adopted as Michigan’s state flower on April 28, 1897.  Harris became known as Apple Blossom William.  Mrs. Woodcock maintained her reputation as the apple blossom lady while learning how to make silk apple blossoms. What about the apple blossom?  Well, apple blossoms continue to bloom in Michigan, beginning about mid-May.  They usually start in southwest Michigan and move northward, painting Michigan pink and white.  The apple blossom remains a popular state flower, though perhaps not as popular as the fruit.  Michigan still produces about a billion pounds of apples a year.  The harvest is celebrated at the annual Blossomtime Festival and similar events. Arkansas, also became a major apple-producing state. Mrs. Ed Barton of Searcy, Arkansas, decided the apple blossom ought to be Arkansas’ state flower.  Other people wanted to adopt the honeysuckle.  The Federation of Women’s Clubs championed the passion flower.  To make matters worse, Michigan had just adopted the apple blossom.  Would residents want to adopt an official flower already recognized by another state?  But Mrs. Barton campaigned long and hard.  On January 30, 1901, the apple blossom was adopted as Arkansas’ state flower.  Arkansas is no longer a major apple-producing state; however, there is an annual Arkansas Apple Festival in the town of Lincoln. Apple Blossoms signify better things to come. ********

Copyrighted ©Parkwell's
All rights are reserved.