Photo courtesy of 50states.com

North Dakota and Iowa may not seem like very similar states but both chose the Wild Prairie Rose (Rosa pratincola,  a. Rosa arkansana) as their official state flower. Though no official species was chosen for the Iowa state flower, Rosa pratincola is most often cites as the official state flower of Iowa and who am I to argue?

If you remember reading about the North Dakota state flower, you’ll find this only equally enthusiastic because the wild prairie rose is a darn pretty flower! I grant you it’s a wildflower and not a cut flower that Iowa florists could use in an arrangement but it’s still a great source of inspiration. If I were to narrow it down to the three things I find most inspiring about the wild prairie rose, here you go. You’ve forced my hand. *grin*

1. Color
2. Shape
3. Location

When you get right down to it, the color of the wild prairie rose is a beautiful, soft shade of pink offset by yellow stamens in the center. The gentle pink is a reminder of romantic occasions. When designing romantic flower arrangements, pink is often used to symbolize affection romance, gentle passion and kindhearted love. A pink wildflower that grows and blooms naturally is a wonderful reminder of how love can often be found in surprising places and blossom without fear.

This particular species of the Wild Prairie Rose is noted for having 4-5 petals laying flat but slightly overlapping one another. When I say that I like the shape, this is not what I’m talking about. Each of the petals are heart shaped with the point of the hearts meeting at the stamens. We already know that pink is symbolic for love. Now we see heart shaped flowers. See where this is heading?

Love is so incredible. It guides us, motivates us, encourages us, causes our biggest headaches and our largest victories. The most intense arrow in Cupid’s quiver often strikes at unexpected times and in strange places. I met my sweetheart while working at Wal-Mart. Some meet in church, a library, passing on the street, in the park, or by a chance encounter. This strange trend is why I like the location of the Wild Prairie Rose as it blooms throughout Iowa.

Iowa is known for corn. Miles and miles of corn. “Corn, corn, corn, oh look a tree!” as the song goes. To be gazing across the countryside and see a simple pink flower? Unexpected, unanticipated, a pretty break from the ordinary.

Take a walk on the wild side and chance finding inspiration in the unique, gentle flower that is Iowa’s official state flower–the Wild Prairie Rose.