The Official Flower of San Francisco

Celebrating 100 Years (1926 – 2026)

Dahlias have been grown in Golden Gate Park since the 1880’s.
Mayor Rolph declared the dahlia the official flower of San Francisco in 1926.

100 Years as the official flower of San Francisco. Design by DSC volunteer Mini Kurhan.

“WHEREAS, in its versatility, its beauty, its infinite variety of color and form, it is the very symbol of San Francisco life and of the spirit of her people; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Dahlia be and it is here designated the official flower of San Francisco.”

– Board of Supervisors, San Francisco, 1926

“The Dahlia is the official flower of San Francisco”

is the proud by-line of the Dahlia Society of California Bulletin in 1926. Rightly so, because on October 4, 1926 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors under the leadership of the then Mayor Rolph, without a dissenting vote, adopted the 1926 resolution.

The Official Flower of San Francisco

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1926

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The Official Flower of San Francisco 〰️ 1926 〰️

San Franciso, 1926 Resolution:

“WHEREAS, the Dahlia has reached its highest perfection in and about San Francisco, and because Dahlias originated in San Francisco are grown in gardens all over the world; and

WHEREAS, the Dahlia partakes essentially of the character of our beloved city, in birth, breeding and habit, for it was originally Mexican, carried thence to Spain, to France and England in turn, being changed in the process from a simple daisy-like wild flower to a cosmopolitan beauty. It has come back to San Francisco like the sophisticated world traveler it is, to find its favorite home here, where it thrives in the cool summers and the moist air of our fog-swept, sandy gardens by the sea;

WHEREAS, it is a robust flower, generous and able to thrive in any reasonable soil, so long as it is not too dry, and has the primitive strength of our pioneer ancestors, together with the gayety and color that no other city nor flower can hope to equal, going, like our artists and poets, to carry color and beauty into far climes, but blooming best in our own gardens out of doors in our cool even climates;

WHEREAS, in its versatility, its beauty, its infinite variety of color and form, it is the very symbol of San Francisco life and of the spirit of her people; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Dahlia be and it is here designated the official flower of San Francisco.”