13 Traditional Flowers That Honor Veterans

Veteran’s Day honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. November 11, 1918, marks the end of World War I, with tribute paid worldwide each year on this day. Internationally, Remembrance Day marks the armistice. 

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first anniversary of Armistice Day on November 11th. Under Roosevelt and Eisenhower, the day of honor became an act of Congress to establish Veterans Day. This day of remembrance recognizes fallen soldiers and those who serve their country, past and present.

As a cultural and physical representation with deep meaning, flowers play a historic role in paying tribute. Whether in fresh florals to share or plantings for lasting commemoration, flowers associated with remembrance and honor are emblematic of how we salute our veterans.

Poppies

	common name Poppies
	botanical name Papaver spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 2-9

Poppies have a poetic history from the ancient Greeks and Romans, and, most notably, they symbolize remembrance for those who serve. The crimson corn poppy has become an international visual representation of memorial worn on lapels and laid in wreaths.

In 1915, Canadian soldier, physician, and poet John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields, as he fought in World War I. It references the poppies that grew wildly across the fields and gravesites of fallen soldiers. The American Legion adopted poppies as the official symbol of remembrance in 1920.

P. rhoeas (Flanders or corn poppy) has tissuey petals and contrasting centers. Poppies prefer cool weather and go dormant or die back in the heat of summer. They grow as annuals with late winter and early spring color.

P. nudicale (Iceland poppy), and P. orientale (Oriental poppy) are popular species with a range of colors. Oriental poppies in crimson and scarlet (among other shades) with dark centers bear large flowers for a sweep of color en masse.

Poppies are easy to grow and low maintenance in moderate temperatures. Direct sow them in the fall to germinate and flower in the spring.

‘Peace’ Rose

	common name ‘Peace’ Rose
	botanical name Rosa ‘Peace’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-7’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Peace’ holds its place in history as a story of protection, perseverance, and timely introduction. The beautiful rose survived World War II through cuttings circulated to rose growers in different countries for preservation. April 29, 1945, Victory in Europe Day marked the war’s end. On this day, ‘Peace’ rose officially entered commercial cultivation. It quickly became an All-America Rose Selections winner celebrated for its flower, vigor, and meaning.

‘Peace’ is a hybrid tea rose with longevity among its group. It grows vigorously with a bushy habit and produces huge double blooms (up to six inches across) in shades of light yellow, white, and rose pink. Petals have ruffly edges. The mildly fragrant flowers appear in spring and repeat flower through the fall. 

White Daisies

	common name White Daisies
	botanical name Leucanthemum x superbum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Daisies dot meadows and fields as summer wildflowers, and, like poppies, they bloom across battlefields, woven into a soldier’s experience. Daisies are a flower of remembrance, particularly regarding the armistice of World War I. They also came to symbolize resistance and hope for peace during World War II. With Holland’s invasion, Queen Wilhelmina, forced to flee, encouraged citizens to wear a white daisy on their lapels as a sign of resistance under occupation.

The European native oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, adapts readily to a variety of growing conditions, so much so that it’s invasive in the U.S. and noted for displacing native plants. As a fitting alternative, look to the shasta daisy hybrid to take its place in the garden.

Shasta daisies feature larger, brighter ray blooms in spring and summer. These crisp, old-fashioned beauties brighten the perennial border in single and double-flowered varieties. Deep, glossy green basal foliage contrasts the clear blooms.

Shasta daisies hit their peak bloom in mid-summer. They do best in full sun with well-draining soil. Different varieties feature varying forms and sizes. In humid climates, look to ‘Becky,’ a larger plant boasting excellent disease resistance to fungal rot and leaf spot.

‘Courageous’ Rose

	common name ‘Courageous’ Rose
	botanical name Rosa ‘HARextra’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-6’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Deep, rich red roses symbolize courage and bravery. ‘Courageous’ flowers are named specifically to honor World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veterans and Royal Air Force airmen.

Its patriotic symbolism and handsome growth make it worthy of a spot in the garden. ‘Courageous’ blooms continually with classic, fully double, highly fragrant four-inch flowers. 

‘Courageous’ grows as a small climber or a specimen shrub. It boasts good disease resistance.

Blue Iris

	common name Blue Iris
	botanical name Iris x germanica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Blue irises represent hope, faith, and deep trust. They’re signs of valor and loyalty. The bearded iris has spring flowers that last into summer and repeat bloom for another flush in the fall.

Bearded iris bears large, ruffly flowers in a wide spectrum of colors. The blooms bring vertical interest with three upper (standards) and three lower petals (falls). Rich outer petals may have frilled edges or painterly washes. Centers often contrast the outer colors in bright white or yellow.

To honor veterans, look for your favorite blue flowers. ‘True Navy’ is a dwarf variety that reaches 12 inches tall with clear blue petals with a slight ruffle. ‘Merchant Marine’ is a tall bearded iris that reaches over three feet. It features lots of frills and ruffles in shades of marine blue. ‘True Patriot’ hints at red, white, and blue with white standards and blue falls. Small red-orange beards punctuate the arrangement in a striking fashion.

Irises tolerate various soil types, from acidic to clay to sand. They grow best in moist and well-drained conditions but are drought-tolerant. To expand or share the collection, divide iris colonies every few years.

Gladiolus

	common name Gladiolus
	botanical name Gladiolus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5-6’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Gladiolus is the flower of gladiators. They’re a show of integrity, strength, and victory. Honor and remembrance are common associations with these veteran-favorite flowers.

Sword-shaped leaves fan around tall stems lined with tubular blooms from summer to fall. Bold and in expansive colors through numerous species and hybrids, these are among the showiest summer bloomers.

The ‘Stars and Stripes’ mix is a combination of bright red, white, and purple-blue glads. ‘Green Star’ has pale lime ruffles on three-foot stems. ‘Purple Prince’ in royal, velvety violet rises on four-foot stalks.

Rosemary

	common name Rosemary
	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Rosemary’s aromatic qualities are thought to improve memory, and they’re long associated with remembrance and fidelity in folklore. Ancient Greek scholars wore a stem of rosemary in their hair to help their studies. Brides wore a crown as a sign of fidelity.

In Australia, sprigs of rosemary adorn lapels on Remembrance Day and Anzac Day (on April 25th, honoring those who serve the country). 

Rosemary leaves and flowers have a lemony-camphor scent and flavor. Needled foliage is highly aromatic for clipping for fragrance and culinary uses. Rosemary’s multiseason appeal makes it worth growing year-round.

Chrysanthemum

	common name Chrysanthemum
	botanical name Chrysanthemum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Chrysanthemum flowers relate to Veterans Day honors by virtue of their bloom time. The hallmarks of autumn correspond to the day of recognition in wreaths, fresh florals, and potted arrangements as gifts and markers.

Hardy varieties are long-lasting in the garden, with delicate leaves and a spectacular blanket of blooms in seasonal jewel tones. Scarlet, gold, orange, pink, or purple blooms cover the dark green lobed leaves.

Hardy chrysanthemums grow vigorously with upright or sprawling stems and a clumping habit. They’re easy-care, growing best in moist, organically rich soils.

‘World War II Memorial’ Rose

	common name ‘World War II Memorial’ Rose
	botanical name Rosa ‘WEZgreg’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘World War II Memorial’ is a high-pointed hybrid tea rose. Petals are pale and silvery mauve-pink on long stems, perfect for cutting.

This commemorative rose reblooms through fall and is highly fragrant. It has an upright, narrow habit, growing only two feet wide.

Roses are fully petaled in their perfect points, with 25 to 40 per bloom. A Star rose introduction, the shrub has excellent disease resistance.

White Lily

	common name White Lily
	botanical name Lilium candidum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-6′
	hardiness zones 6-9

White lilies bring a sense of purity and peace. They herald the summer season with large trumpet blooms and rich, sweet fragrance.

Available in many species and cultivars outside of Lilium candidum, Lilium longiflorum (Easter), L. orientalis (Oriental), and Asiatic hybrid lilies are classic remembrance specimens to grace the garden and fresh bouquet.

Lilies emerge with new growth in the spring and flower through the summer months. They make beautiful statements in the landscape amongst other perennials, or as massed plantings. Lilies’ floral perfume is most intense on summer mornings and evenings to draw pollinators. 

Tulips

	common name Tulips
	botanical name Tulipa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-30″
	hardiness zones 3-8

Tulips reflect new beginnings, appreciation, and gratitude, among many other symbols. Pink and white tulips, in particular, stand for purity, dignity, and thanks. Veterans Day marks the perfect time to plant these elegant spring-flowering bulbs as a symbol of honor and gratitude. They’ll quietly overwinter to bring cheer and renewal with spring’s warming temperatures.

‘White Triumphator’ has broad leaves and lily blooms with pure white reflexed petals. They rise on tall stems and reach nearly two feet tall. A classic, long-lasting tulip, this one may bloom for more than one spring. It earned the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

‘Mount Tacoma’ is a 1924 heirloom with an elegant late-spring display. It has a long bloom time for weeks of abundant white. On long stems, they make gorgeous cut flowers.

Darwin hybrids are reliable bloomers across climates, with the most potential to perennialize. The oversized flowers feature perfectly cupped petals and a long bloom time. ‘Pink Impression’ is pure pink, while ‘Apricot Beauty’ blends warm peach and light pink.

For a light yellow pastel, look to ‘West Point.’ Tall with pointed tips, they reach 20 inches.

Rose of Sharon

	common name Rose of Sharon
	botanical name Hibiscus syriacus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-12’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Rose of Sharon is the national flower of Korea, symbolizing immortality. These flowers surround the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. as an honor to soldiers who served in the Korean War. 

Indigenous to eastern Asia, rose of sharon began growing in the U.S. in the 1700s for its ornamental qualities. It begins blooming in July and flowers until frost with hollyhock-like flowers. Its showy petals in pink, white, and purple often have a dark central eye, and the single or double blooms have ruffly appeal. Attractive foliage is usually maple or heart-shaped on vase-shaped, upright, and columnar forms.

‘Blue Chiffon’ stands out among the group with watery, lavender-blue blooms and frilly centers. The rich blue blossoms, dark green foliage, and rounded habit give this cultivar an elegant structure.

‘Blue Chiffon’ received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental value and vigor. Plants produce few seeds, so spreading is less of a concern than with heavy seeders. The Chiffon series houses pink and white cultivars with the same tissuey petals in bright shades.

‘Never Forget’ Rose®

	common name ‘Never Forget’ Rose®
	botanical name Rosa ‘Never Forget’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-5’
	hardiness zones 6-10

‘Never Forget’ is a relatively new introduction, brought to market in 2023 to honor the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This special rose is easy to grow and beautiful as a specimen shrub.

The hybrid musk rose features clusters of soft pink buds that open to pinkish-white, blousy blooms. Bright yellow centers and a sweet fragrance attract pollinators (and visitors, too). Foliage is covered with flowering sprays in late spring/early summer with continual blooms through frost.

Created by the renowned Fabien Ducher house of roses, these flowers represents Franco-American friendship and honor veterans who served during World War I and beyond.