26 of America's Favorite Flowers

Google searches reveal the flowers Americans love best. Sunflowers have the highest search volume in the United States, according to plant company Breck's, though flower preferences vary widely from state to state. Camellias are the most searched-for flowers in North Carolina, and poppies are the most searched-for in Alaska. And when it comes to shopping trends, petunias are top sellers in Ohio, according to Breck's, but pansies are best sellers in Texas. Some of these flowers are familiar garden standards you will find in almost any cottage or formal garden, but some might be more unexpected. Read on to see if any of these pretty posies make an appearance in your home garden.

Gladiolus (Grandiflora gladioli) are stunning perennials known for their tall flower spikes, which bring vertical drama to the garden. Part of the iris family (Iridaceae), gladiolus are ideal for a cutting garden with their wide array of colors and sizes, although most common gladiolus reach from 2-5 feet in height. Plant gladiolus in full sun and in well-drained soil in the spring once the danger of frost has passed.

Named after a Greek goddess, it is no wonder these tall, architectural beauties are one of America's favorite flowers. Made up of over 250 species in the Iris genus, the most familiar of these flowering plants are the tall bearded irises (Iris germanica), which reach 2 to 3 feet tall. Hardy and easy to grow, irises grow from rhizomes, are best suited to Zones 3-9 and prefer full to part sun.

A member of the mallow (Malvaceae) family, hibiscus are native to warm, tropical climates and require warm temperatures to bloom. These lush, vibrantly colored flowers are, sadly, fairly short-lived, most blooming just for one day. The most common hibiscus variety is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, which is well-suited to a warm climate or can be grown in cooler locations as a houseplant.