Rhododendron Craft Activity

Background: With the recommendation of the Governor and a vote by public school pupils, the Legislature adopted House Joint Resolution 19 on January 29, 1903, naming the Rhododendron the official state flower of West Virginia. Rhododendrons grow in almost every region of the state except for in its westernmost counties. The name rhododendron means "rose tree". Every year in July, rhododendrons bloom with pink or white flower clusters of up to 25 flowers. This fragrant flower can tolerate both partial sun and dense shade, so they can be found in numerous places like ravines, hillsides and under thick tree canopies as an understory plant. Average height of a Rhododendron is approximately 15 feet, while some plants can reach 40 feet.

1.Using the template, trace and cut 25 petals out of the pink felt. 2.Trace and cut out 6 to 8 leaves from the stiff green felt using the 2 leaf templates. Make some of leaves from each template. You can determine how many you wish to use of each size. 3.Cut a 18” piece of thread and thread the needle. 4.Sew across the flat bottom of one petal, weaving into and out of the felt twice, repeat with four more petals.

5.Now that there is a total of five petals on your thread, pull the petals together to make a flower. 6.Tie the thread tight in a knot to keep the flower together. 7.Repeat steps 4 to 6, until you have 5 flowers sewn together. You will probably be able to use the remaining thread from the 1 st flower for a couple more. Once you run out, cut another piece of thread.

8.Cut a 2 to 3” circle from the stiff green felt. This will be the base for assembling. It may help to lay out and arrange the pieces prior to gluing to make sure it looks the way that you want it to.

9.Glue the 6 to 8 leaves onto the circle, fanning them out. 10.Glue the 5 flowers on top of the leaves in the center 11.Let the glue dry 12.Add a magnet to the back of the green circle

References: West Virginia State Flower - The Rhododendron. Available at: state-flower-the-rhododendron state-flower-the-rhododendron State Symbols. Available at: age/4.html age/4.html Official State Symbols of West Virginia. Available at: age/symbols.cfm age/symbols.cfm