Apart of Erica Catherine's US State Flower Collection, the Mountain Laurel represents both the State of Connecticut as well as the State of Pennsylvania. The beautiful Mountain Laurel Flowers are shown on top of a yellow color background.

The Mountain Laurel was adopted as the state flower of Connecticut in 1907. Over 3,000 women urged Connecticut's state legislation to adopt the Mountain Laurel as the state flower. While it didn't have one of the warmest welcoming in legislation some senators deeming floral emblems unnecessary, beautiful sprigs of Laurel that were delivered to their desks helped to change their mind.

The Mountain Laurel was adopted as the State Flower of Pennsylvania in 1933. Despite how widespread and popular the Mountain Laurel is in Pennsylvania, it wasn't originally a shoo-in for the title of State Flower. In the 1930's it was such a split decision in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that two different bills naming the Mountain Laurel and the Pink Azalea the state flower. Governor Gifford Pinchot later decided after the uncertainty from the general assembly to name the Mountain Laurel the state flower.

Despite almost all parts of the mountain laurel being poisonous to wildlife and humans the branches of this plant were used to carve spoons gaining it the nick name of "spoonwood." If you ask any Connecticut native they'll tell you that the Mountain Laurels are everywhere. Despite being common among the natives, it's beautiful blooms bring visitors from all over to catch a glimpse of them during May and June during their peak blooming time.

Inspired by the natural and antique details that call to Erica's Old soul, she aims to bring that special spirit to all of her designs. Each drawing is created by hand using a mixture of graphite drawing with watercolor layering over the top to create the ethereal and vintage inspired work that harks back to turn of the century botanical illustration.