The state flower of both Virginia and North Carolina, it is no wonder my Aunt Virginia dearly loved and collected the dogwood interpreted by North Carolina native Stuart Nye. My interpretation comes from field drawings in the groves of American dogwood trees back campus at my alma mater, Western Maryland College, which is now McDaniel College. You will notice that there is a series with distinct difference representing this institution before and after the name change. Symbolizing rebirth, dogwood is a harbinger of spring.