The Cherokee Rose

Credit: screenshot

With the help of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs, the state declared the Cherokee Rose as its official state flower in 1916, but we could have a new one soon if new legislation passes.

In early 2026, Georgia House Representative Deborah Silcox (R- Sandy Springs) introduced Georgia House Bill 955 to replace the Cherokee rose with native plant, Sweetbay magnolia as the state flower. The proposed change comes as a result of experts who believe the magnolia will go farther to support local landscaping and wildlife.

 

Why change now?

The Cherokee rose, adopted in 1916, has been designated as “invasive” by the Georgia Invasive Species Council because it spreads aggressively and can harm native ecosystems.

The new bill nominates the Sweetbay magnolia for its fragrant, evergreen qualities, and hosts the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly and feeds pollinators.

The benefits of the magnolia:

  • You can plant it yourself and are available at local nurseries
  • It thrives everywhere in Georgia without invasive risks
  • As a native plant it boosts wildlife in ways imports cannot
  • It helps to counter population crashes from exotic landscaping

 

The (debunked) legend of the Cherokee Rose

According to Georgia College and State University, Georgia picked the Cherokee Rose as its official state floral emblem in 1916 as a way to symbolize the painful removal of the Cherokee people from the state in 1838 during the Trail of Tears.

However, this myth turned out to be false. Silcox told the Georgia Native Plant Society, “The Cherokee Rose was adopted as the state flower in 1916 under the incorrect assumption that it was native to the state and also a legacy of the Cherokee people — it is neither.”

The Georgia Cherokee Community Alliance (GCCA) does not consider the Cherokee Rose culturally significant, notes Vice President Tony Harris. Despite its name, the flower is native to Asia and, in a 2023 letter, the GCCA supported replacing it as Georgia’s state flower with a native species.

Currently, HB 955 sits in the House Special Rules Committee awaiting a hearing. If you would like to weigh in on the matter, contact your state rep and senator to voice your concerns.

Do you think we should change our state flower? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

 

Tags: Cherokee Nation  state legislature  Georgia  georgia legislature  History  invasive species  Native American