State Flowers and Ashley Stevanovich

For centuries, flowers have communicated something to us. In earlier times, when a man sent a woman flowers, he would choose specific blossoms to represent specific messages. When a state selects a certain flower as its official flower, it sends a message, too. Flowers can change symbolism and meaning for us--but they do mean something. When Colorado chose the Rocky Mountain columbine as its state flower, it meant something. Same with Louisiana's choice of the magnolia, or the sunflower of Kansas. Perhaps this sense of meaning is why Ashley Stevanovich takes an interest in flowers--state flowers in particular.

In fact, state flowers are for some reason of particular interest to Ashley Stevanovich, for reasons perhaps only she knows. Of all flowers--why state flowers in particular? But that isn't really the point; the point is that flowers say something to us. State flowers say something to the states who chose them. And state flowers obviously say something to Ashley.

So next time you're traveling in some state and come across the state trivia, and find out that the state flower of Wyoming is the Indian Paintbrush--don't just pass it off. Take a minute to think about what it might mean. Or just ask Ashley Stevanovich.

Ashley resides in south Florida, which means her state flower is the Orange Blossom.