Why Not Trillium as a National Flower? *

(Question)

How was the choice of the three wild flowers for our national flower chosen? I cannot understand why Trilliums aren’t a choice. They are so beautiful and I consider them a part of my heritage along with wild roses. I grew up in northern Ontario.

(Answer)

Unlike other countries Canada does not have an official national flower. The fact that it is Canada’s 150th birthday this year was the catalyst for conducting a contest to choose one.

With this in mind The Master Gardeners of Ontario decided to launch a search for a pan-Canadian flower. One that is native to every province and territory, and is not already a provincial or territorial emblem. With help from Todd Boland, Research Horticulturist at Memorial University of Newfoundland it was narrowed down to the following three worthy contenders:

Hooded lady’s tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana)

Twinflower (Linnaea borealis)

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

Trilliums are wonderful plants but, unfortunately, they do not meet the criteria. Interest in choosing a national flower has been great. Voting ends on June 30th, 2017 so there’s still time to vote for Canada’s national flower.