Why You Should Add the Florida State Flower to Your Landscape

The blossom of the orange tree is the citrus sinensis—the Florida state flower—and it’s extremely fragrant. These white flowers perfume the surrounding air during the orange blossom season. Moreover, orange trees attract pollinators like bees, which can help improve the overall health and productivity of your garden.

In addition to their beauty and aroma, the fruit they produce can be harvested for fresh eating, juicing, or cooking. Orange trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. With proper care, they can live and produce fruit for decades.

Florida State Flower Facts

Citrus sinensis, or orange blossom, is the white blossom of the orange tree. The plant is native to subtropical Southeast Asia and grows in tropical climates with warm to hot summers and mild winters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies it as hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Orange blossoms have been a symbol of purity throughout history and literature. According to National Geographic, Queen Victoria wore orange blossoms on her wedding day.

According to the The Flower Expert, the Florida state flower blooms in clusters each spring and and results in oranges the following fall or winter.

The Flower Expert also notes the following facts about the Florida state flower:

Leaves on orange blossoms are shiny and oblong, up to 4 inches in length.
Orange twigs can be thorny.
The orange tree is a compact evergreen tree, which generally grows between 20 to 30 inches tall. It has a rounded, symmetrical crown that spreads about 20 inches.
Orange oil from the orange blossom is popular in some commercial cleaners.

How to Grow an Orange Tree

Orange trees not only provide shade, but also edible fruit. The best time to plant one is early to mid-spring, according to SFGate.

“Orange trees aren’t too difficult to grow if you live in a warm climate,” says Angela Judd, certified master gardener and author of How to Grow Your Own Food, and founder of Growing in the Garden. “They are hardy in zones 9 to 11.”

“They require more attention the first year or two as they are getting established and may need extra shade in hot climates like where I live in Arizona. Established plants are more tolerant of heat and cold,” Judd adds.

Choose an area that faces the sun and make sure the soil drains well. Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of the tree’s root ball. The top of the root ball should stay about 1 inch above the topsoil, as it will settle down into the ground once established. “If you plant the root ball on an even level with the surrounding soil, the tree eventually sinks down into the ground. Fungus becomes a major issue as moist soil touches the trunk directly above the root ball. Planting the orange tree with consideration of the root ball’s position prevents disease issues in the future,” according to SFGate.

When it comes to watering, be consistent and make sure moisture reaches deep into the root system. You can fertilize the tree during its growing season, but do not add fertilizer to the hole when planting, as it can burn the root system and kill the tree.

FAQ

How long does it take an orange tree to bear fruit?

If you start with a grafted tree, you can expect fruit in two to three years,” Judd says. “But seed-grown trees can take 10 years (or more!) to bear fruit and they may not produce the same quality fruit as the parent tree.”

When do orange trees flower and produce fruit?

Orange trees flower in early spring, typically in March or April in warmer climates. Once the flowering stage is over, the tree bears fruit approximately seven to ten months later, depending on the variety.

What are common problems or pests?

Aphids are the most common pest on an orange tree, followed by mites, scales and whiteflies.

About the Expert

Angela Judd is a certified master gardener, author of How to Grow Your Own Food, and founder of Growing in the Garden.