Magnolia Blossom

Perhaps inspired by the adoption of a National Garland of Flowers for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago (World's Columbian Exposition), the "flower or bloom" of the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) wasn't adopted as Mississippi's state flower until 1952.

The idea for a state flower originated around the turn of the century. In an effort to select an appropriate floral emblem to represent the state, it was determined that the process would be put to a vote of Mississippi school children. The flower election took place in November 1900.

It's recorded that 23,278 children voted and that the magnolia blossom received over half of these votes. The cotton blossom, promoted by the Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs, placed second and the cape jasmine placed third. Other flowers, including yellow jasmine, received votes as well; a total of 42 varieties received votes. 

• Magnolia blossom - 12,745 votes.
• Cotton blossom - 4,171 votes.
• Cape jasmine - 2,484 votes.
• Other varieties - 3,878 votes among them.

No legislative action was taken as a result of the contest however and though the magnolia blossom was generally considered the state flower by the citizens of the state, it was never made official.

Thirty-five years later, Mississippi's Director of Forestry, initiated a movement to adopt an official state tree to represent the state. Four nominations were offered to the state's school children; the magnolia; oak; pine; and dogwood. Again, the magnolia proved an overwhelming favorite of the children and it won this contest hands down.

On April 1, 1938, the Mississippi Legislature officially approved the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) as the state tree of Mississippi.

Still, the state had no official state flower. The adoption of the magnolia blossom was to wait for another 14 years.

Finally, on February 26, 1952, the "flower or bloom" of the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) was approved by the Mississippi Legislature; 52 years after it had been chosen by 12,745 Mississippi school children. One legislator, who shall remain nameless, voted against the adoption!