What is the Indiana state flower?

Designated by the General Assembly in 1957, Indiana’s state flower is the peony or Paeonia lactiflora. Cultivated widely all over the state, the peony blooms in various shades of red, light pink, magenta and white in late spring and early summer, and occurs in single and double forms.

First cultivated in China 4,000 ago, the peony is native to Asia, southern Europe and western North America and can grow up to 10 inches depending on the variety. Often fragrant with large blossoms, peonies are grown extensively as ornamental plants to provide a background for annuals or perennials and are popular for decorating gravesites for Memorial Day. Until 1957, the zinnia was Indiana’s state flower.