The Wild Rose is Iowa’s State Flower. They bloom like crazy all along the gravel roads near our house in July. To the early European settlers of the United States, the wild rose of Iowa represented resilience and beauty. Can you believe it’s been around for 35 million years?

“Wild roses bloom from June through late summer throughout Iowa – the petals come in varying shades of pink, with yellow stamens decorating the flower’s center. The rose has been around for about 35 million years and grows naturally throughout North America. The petals and rose hips are edible and have been used in medicines since ancient times.” – From State Symbols USA