There are more than 200,000 species of flowers around the world, each of them having unique characteristics. Each flower impresses first and foremost by its shape and color, by its perfume, by its dimensions, or a combination of these features.
We know that most flowers have a very short flowering period, especially the cut ones. That is why we appreciate their beauty even more; additionally, some flowers come with some impressive nutritional value and medical uses that surely boost their value.
Without the intention of being exhaustive, we present you a brief list of the most loved flowers from the dawn of history to the present times:
* Rose – the symbol of love
* Sunflower – culinary role and beautiful decoration
* The precious tulip
* Chrysanthemum
* The paradise bird
* The passionflower
Rose – The Symbol of Love
Known and appreciated since ancient times, the rose is loved for its beauty and for its specific perfume, from which the strongest and the most impressive perfume essences are made. In the medieval period, it was considered the main component of the garlands used in religious festivals.
Rosewater and the potpourri made from the dried petals of this flower served to refresh the clothes and the rooms a few centuries later. What is more, rose is also one of the most popular flowers in any garden nowadays, coming in a wide range of varieties and colors. They often bloom all summer, up until late autumn. It is also a symbol of love and one of the most popular flowers to be given to partners in a romantic relationship.
Sunflower – Culinary Role and Beautiful Decoration
The sunflower is one of the most popular garden flowers and is extremely resistant. It comes with a crown of petals in colors ranging from lemon yellow to bright bronze. The sunflower is truly a spectacular presence in any floral arrangement. Beyond its beauty, sunflower seeds are extraordinary from a gastronomic point of view.
As a curiosity, the sunflower is an almost perfect example of the connection between mathematics and nature. The seeds of this flower are placed in a perfect spiral based on the Fibonacci string. The Fibonacci string refers to a sequence of numbers in which each number is obtained from the sum of the preceding two in the string.
In the ancient civilization of the Inca Empire, the sunflower was the representation of the Sun God. In the Victorian era, the sunflower was considered to represent one of the most sophisticated tastes.
The Precious Tulip
Coming from the Turkish “tulbend,” the tulip is native to Persia. It appeared in West Europe in the 16th century. It immediately gained extraordinary popularity and was considered a standard of good taste. Tulips bulbs were very expensive at that time and some people used to spend a fortune to buy them. The Netherlands is particularly renowned for cultivating tulips.
An overly curious ship captain discovered in a merchant’s cargo some bulbs that resembled onions. This discovery brought him several months in prison, being accused of theft because he was eager to eat one of the bulbs, without knowing that this bulb was an extremely rare and expensive one.
The tulip is very brightly colored in a multitude of colors and is today a charming presence in any garden or bouquet. It grows among the spring flowers, loves the sun and grows in rich soils. There is no Easter holiday without a bouquet on the table containing tulips and other spring flowers.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is a highly appreciated flower in China, where it has been cultivated for over 2500 years. In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Emperor. This flower was brought in the 17th century on the European continent and it was highly appreciated by the aristocracy.
Chrysanthemum, whose name derives from the Greek words chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower), is an autumn flower. There is no competition or festival of autumn flowers that misses out on chrysanthemums.
The chrysanthemum has single or double petals, can have corollas in form of the pompom, round and thick, or spider-shaped with long and thin petals, slightly twisted at the ends. The colors of the chrysanthemums range from white, yellow, pink, red, red, up to purple, blue, or even green. A bouquet of chrysanthemums in autumn is highly appreciated on many occasions.
The Paradise Bird
The paradise bird has a unique aspect that resembles the crest of an exotic bird. The plant can reach heights of over 4 inches and is very resistant. This makes it particularly appreciated in the flower trade. It should be protected from the cold and the direct rays of the sun.
It has oval leaves in gray-green shades and flowers with bright orange and blue petals. The paradise bird is an exotic plant that gives a special note to your garden and is also very suitable as an indoor plant.
The Passion Flower
This flower is native to South America, from where Spanish missionaries brought it to Europe. The flower was named the “passion flower” because of the special structure of its inflorescence that was associated with the last days Jesus on Earth and his crucifixion.
The flowers of this plant have an extremely short life of only one day. It is a hanging plant and it adapts to all well-drained soil types. The corolla with white-gray petals is doubled by a crown of thin, multicolored filaments, and the fruit is edible. Lastly, it is an exotic plant but the passion flower resists very well even at lower temperatures.
Since the dawn of humanity, flowers have been admired for their beauty and fragrance. They have been used for their beauty, as ritual instruments, or conveying feelings when words fail. Some also possess healing properties or contain delicious nutrients.