Flowers are considered to be the purest form of beauty. This beauty is celebrated through ages in each and every occasion. Flowers have the strength to say love, console in sorrow, congratulate in achievement, and celebrate friendship. This is the reason why we need flowers to decorate ourselves and the ambience to attract positive energy.
Table of Contents
Let’s check out some of the most beautiful flowers in the world.
Cherry Blossom
Cherry blossoms are flowers which are also known as Sakura. Cherry trees are mostly used for ornamental purposes. They are classified into the genus Prunus which consists of about 400 species. These pale blooms are a symbol of spring as it is a time of renewal. However, as the blooms are short-lived, they are also symbolic of the ephemeral nature of life.
Its Origin
The Cherry blossoms were bred in royal gardens nearly 2000 years ago in China. Although it is considered as the ‘National flower of Japan’ but it originated in the Himalayas in China during the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC – 220 AD) dynasties.
In India, the cherry blossoms are an attraction for tourists from all over the world. Mostly you will find it in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim & northern districts of West Bengal namely Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.
Cherry Blossom Facts
Ornamental cherry trees do produce fruit closely related to edible cherries. These trees are mostly grown for their serene beauty. The cherry blossoms and the leaves are edible and used in many traditional Japanese sweets and tea. They are first pickled and then used in recipes for mochi cakes, candies, and even cookies. You can also brew sakura blossom tea or make cocktails. According to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C., the flower is celebrated as a symbol for the enduring friendship between Japan and the US.
Bloom Time
It blooms generally between March and April.
Tulip
Tulips represent one of the most popular flowers in the world. Holland is the most well-known place for tulips as they are widely cultivated to blanket fields. Their incredible colours make the scene of a place more beautiful and lively. Tulips symbolize deep love, charity and rebirth.
Its Origin
The name ‘Tulip’ originated from the Persian word ‘delband’ meaning turban, given the flower’s turban shape. Another reason for its association with Turkey is because locals would often decorate their turbans with tulip stems.
Tulip Facts
The flowers are usually large, showy and brightly colored, generally red, pink, yellow, or white (usually in warm colors). The tulip is a member of the lily family, Liliaceae, along with 14 other genera, where it is most closely related to Amana, Erythronium and Gagea in the tribe Lilieae. Tulips are the most prized flowers and are the symbol of the Ottomans.
Bloom Time
Early tulips bloom from March to April and mid-season types will extend the blooming period later into spring. If the weather is cool, tulips may last more 1-2 weeks.
Rose
Roses are one of the oldest flowers in the world. It is the queen of flowers and probably the most seductive ones. It is no wonder that roses are a symbol of beauty and have been referred to in literature and music every time.
Its Origin
It originated in Asia at least 4 thousand years before Christ, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks already used this flower in decorations, to care for the body and in baths.
Rose Facts
Not only its beauty counts but also roses are an essential flower in the food and medicine sector. Their petals are edible and rose water (made from soaking the petals in water) is often added to jellies or jams, or is used as flavoring in Indian and Chinese dishes. Specifically, rose oil has been an important ingredient in the perfume industry for decades. The process of extracting rose oil from flowers requires a huge amount of roses. Just one gram of oil is produced from two thousand roses.
There are different colours of roses and each one of them represents a different aspect of life. Besides red roses symbolizing love and romance, pink roses signifies grace and elegance. The vibrant color of the yellow rose represents friendship and cheer, whereas white roses symbolize peace and purity.
Bloom Time
Roses bloom on and off throughout the season (from middle of Spring to Autumn), making them among the most desirable garden plants.
Passion Flower
The Passion Flower is also known as Passiflora. It develops large, showy flowers that can reach upto 8 inches. These flowers are white, red, pink, purple, blue or multicolored. There are more than 500 species of passion flowers.
Its Origin
They are native to Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. These flowers generally grow in tropical climates specially on moist and well drained soil.
Passion Flower Facts
One of the most popular types of passiflora, called blue passion flower, Passiflora blooms all year round in tropical climates. Passiflora can be consumed in the form of tea.
Dried leaves of passiflora can be smoked in the form of cigarettes. The name of the plant originated from the 15th and 16th century. Spanish missionaries identified similarities in the shape, arrangement and number of individual floral parts with the crucifixion of Christ (also known as “the passion”).
Bloom Time
Passiflora blooms all year round in tropical climates.
Bleeding heart
Bleeding heart is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the poppy family. The pillow-like flower is heart-shaped with a single dangling pendulous drop. The flower was quite popular in Victorian times. People used to decorate their homes with this decorative plant.
Its Origin
The origin of this plant is from Asia and was later introduced to Europe and North America during the 19th century.
Bleeding Hearts Facts
The flower exactly looks like a heart shape and when it dangles in the air, it looks even more beautiful. Bleeding hearts grow on the well-drained, fertile soil, in areas that provide direct sunlight (in cold climates) or partial shade (in warm climates). Minimal effort is required to cultivate this plant and therefore it is one of the most popular ornamental plants.
Bloom Time
Bleeding hearts grow best in cool and moist environments. Bleeding heart blooms during the spring and summer. Flowers are a rich source of nectar which attracts hummingbirds, main pollinators of this plant.
Lily
Lilies are one of the most adored and loved flowers of the world. To celebrate any major occasions you can decorate your home with lilies either on a center table, side table, office reception etc.
Its Origin
Mostly the flowers are found in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Lily Facts
As per the Greek Mythology, Apollo- the God of Healing gifted the Valley of Lily to Aesculapius, his son while teaching him the art of healing. In Chinese culture, lily is also a symbol of healing, often given to friends and family suffering from any disease. Lilies come in different colors such as red, white, pink, yellow orange etc. Red lilies signify passion and can be gifted to someone you love or as a wedding day gift. Yellow or golden lilies symbolize good health and healing. Pink lilies or Stargazer lilies symbolize ambition while white lilies refer to innocence and purity. Orange lilies are often called Tiger Lily as they have brown spots on them and they look great spreading great aroma everywhere. This is a social plant and signifies purity and happiness.
Bloom Time
The lily bloom time is different for various species, but all true lilies will flower between spring and fall.
Azalea
The Azaleas are ornamentals in nature, they appear as showy flowers, and grow up to 2.5 meters tall. The nectar and leaves are said to be poisonous.
Its Origin
These shrub-like plants are mostly native to North America and eastern parts of Asia.
Azalea Facts
The Azaleas flower comes in a variety of colors such as white, pink, mauve, purple, red, orange and yellow. These are funnel-shaped, somewhat two-lipped, and often fragrant. They typically have only 5 projecting stamens, as compared with 10 (or more) in rhododendrons.
Bloom Time
Azaleas are often regarded as the ‘Royalty of the Garden’ which bloom in from Autumn to Spring
Camellia Flower
Camellia is an evergreen plant that belongs to the tea family. it is the most common plant in the world to be used to make tea, usually from young leaves that can be made into green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea and other types of tea. There are 100 to 250 species of Camellias. Camellia have dark shiny green leaves that stay evergreen.
Its Origin
Camellias are native to Eastern and Southern Asia, most notably China, Japan, Korea, India and Indonesia. Camellia bushes can live up to 100 to 200 years, although the oldest living camellia, planted in 1347, can be found in China’s Panlong Monastery.
Camellia Facts
Camellia flowers can be white, cream, pink, red, purple, yellow or variegated, and come in a variety of forms like single, double, rose, peony and so on.
The most popular type of camellias are sasanqua, japonica and reticulata, although there are approximately 300 species, as well as 3,000 cultivars and hybrids.
Camellia flowers range in size from 1 – 13 cm (0.4 – 5 inches) and they bloom in autumn, winter and spring.
Bloom Time
They bloom in autumn, winter and spring. It’s also important to ensure that the area you choose has well-drained soil, because camellias hate wet feet.
Sunflower
The yellow bright flowers instantly make your mood happy and positive. They stand taller than many other garden blooms and always seem to perk up our moods. The French word for sunflower is ‘tournesol’, which translates literally to “turned sun,” referring to the plant’s ability to turn itself to face the sun.
Its Origin
Sunflowers are native to the Americas.Historically, they have been used for medicine, dye, food, and oil, and were exported around 1500.The sunflower is the state flower of Kansas and the national flower of Ukraine.
Sunflower Facts
Sunflowers are named as the way they bloom. They face the sun throughout the day. The sunflower is composed of hundreds to thousand individual flowers joined together. These bright flowers are not just yellow but can be found in both red and purple color. There is more to their nature than just beauty. The multipurpose plants even deliver healthy snacks, useful oil, and bird seeds.
Bloom Time
While there are numerous varieties available, sunflowers commonly bloom during summer and a portion of fall, with the middle of summer as the peak season. With minimal care, these plants can shower your garden with color, but caution should be taken to prevent diseases and pests from damaging flowers and reducing bloom cycles.
Daisy
Daisies are one of the most well-known flowers around the world which represents freshness, happiness, and innocence. Daisy comes from the Old English term “daes eage,” meaning “day’s eye.” The name reflects on how these flowers bloom in the morning and again closes its petals in the evening.
Its Origin
Daisies originated in Europe and temperate regions of Asia. Daisies eventually were introduced to Australia and North America. They are now found on every continent except for Antarctica.
Daisies Facts
They are adaptive in nature. Daisies can grow in both wet and dry climate conditions. They can grow in both higher altitude and lower, flat plains. Daisies are botanical chameleons and belong to the sunflower family.
Bloom Time
They bloom usually during late spring, and the blooming continues until early fall.
Also Read: Save The Planet. Ride A Cycle.
