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The debate has been sowed—time for a coup against the national flower

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By PENNY CARNATHAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 3, 2009

George Ball, chair of the Burpee seed company, has an Independence Day proposition: Change our national flower from the rose to the sunflower.

Roses, he argues on his blog, are nearly all immigrants (let's just disregard that whole melting pot thing, George). He says they seem "strikingly out of place amid Independence Day's blaze of red, white and blue." Red roses? That clashes?

And, he says, they'd never, ever feel comfortable at a good old-fashioned beer-swilling, flip-floppin' July 4th picnic.

I beg to differ. I can totally see a rose at this picnic.

I have problems with George's logic, but I do think we can do better than the rose. Roses say love, and love and revolution mix best in a John Jakes novel. I love sunflowers, but they're not the answer. Yes, they're cheerful, optimistic and big cash cows – all reflective of our red-white-and-blue values. But it seems as soon as they bloom, they nod their big heads like heroin addicts and then crash in a stupor.

Sure that's a societal trait, but one we want to celebrate?

How about the dandelion, instead?

Oh yeah, I hear the Yanks: "They're weeds!" But not if you subscribe to the theory that weeds are just flowers growing where they're not invited. I, for one, would love those bright yellow blooms in my "lawn."

As for symbolism, is it not the American way to pop up where we're not welcome? When they turn to fuzz balls, we make a wish and blow. I do believe that's horti-talk for "seeking the American dream."

OK, I know dandelions will splat alongside Ben Franklin's bid for the turkey as national bird. So I'm officially casting my ballot for the apple blossom.

It's beautiful, it fruits, and if you know someone who bakes, it becomes apple pie. The whole "American as apple pie" is, of course, a misnomer. But it did come from the mother country and it's fun to think we told England, "You go. The pie stays."

After much deliberation, Kim is nominating the daisy.

Like Americans, it respects the pursuit of happiness – it loves full sun and rich soil, she says. But also like Americans, it will tolerate poor conditions without withering.

The daisy is simple but beautiful, and versatile. You can grow it in almost any garden, and it's a staple for just about any bouquet. You can grow your own from seed or adopt a plant and bring it home knowing it will almost always thrive.

Anyone have a better idea? I'm sure George is just itching for us to weigh in.

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