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September 26, 2016

The 20 Most Beautiful Flowers You’ll Ever See

Flowers are one of mother nature’s most beautiful creations. For centuries, flowers have been idolized as objects of beauty by nearly every civilization in the world. To honor the beauty of flowers, we’ve picked the 20 most beautiful flowers from around the world. We also created visuals with interesting facts about each flower, including its native origin, botanical name and popular colors. From classic flowers such as roses and peonies to exotic blooms such as the king protea and lotus flower, you’re bound to fall in love with at least one of these stunning blooms.

20. Sweet Pea

Sweet peas are best known for their sweet fragrance and delicate flowers. These flowers are native to the island of Sicily where they’ve been cultivated for the last 300 years. This ornamental pea species go by the botanical name Lathyrus odoratus, and are available in pink, red, purple, and white.

19. Stargazer Lily

Also known as the oriental lily, the stargazer lily (Lilium ‘Stargazer’) is known for its large star-shaped blooms that give off a sweet perfume. Their petals are colored in hot pink with textured freckles that decoratively dot each petal. Although they are beautiful, they are one of the most poisonous plants to have around pets. The stargazer lily is the most recent addition to the oriental lily family, which is native to Japan.

18. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are one of the summer’s most bountiful blooms. Known for their large globe-shaped flower heads, they are available in a variety of colors ranging from blue and purple to white and pink. There are many types of hydrangeas, the most common being the mophead hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). Hydrangeas are native to Southern and Eastern Asia, particularly Japan, China, and Indonesia.

17. Daffodil

Daffodils are a symbol of friendship and are one of spring’s most popular flowers. Known as Narcissus pseudonarcissus, their botanical name is derived from Narcissus, a figure in Greek mythology who was a hunter that fell in love with his own reflection. The downward bending shape of the daffodil represents him gazing down at his own reflection. Native to western Europe, the daffodil is known for its bright yellow colors that grow abundantly throughout the countryside.

16. Begonia

Begonias (Begonia tuberhybrida) have attractively large rose-like flowers and are popular amongst avid gardeners. The first documented discovery of the begonia was by Charles Plumier, a Franciscan monk, who found begonias in Brazil in 1690. They bloom in the summer and although they may not be the easiest plants to care for, their beautiful blooms and attractive foliage make them a great addition to any garden. They’ve been bred to include many colors, the most popular of which are red, yellow, and orange.

15. Camellia

One of the most popular flowers in the Southern United States, the camellia (Camellia japonica) is originally from eastern and southern Asia. There are more than 3,000 types of camellias which are available in white, pink, and red in varying hues. They have delicately layered petals and are commonly used as an ingredient in floral perfumes due to their sweet fragrance.

14. Plumeria

Plumerias (Plumeria rubra) are native to the subtropical Americas, including Hawaii, and are a popular flower used in leis. They give off an intensely sweet fragrance and are also great as cut flowers to freshen up your home. Plumerias have gorgeous blooms with colors that include, pink, white, yellow, and red.

13. Dahlia

The dahlia (Dahlia hortensis) is a flower that is known for its layered petals and showy blooms and are highly cultivated and hybridized by breeders to create the most beautiful flowers. It is an annual that begins to bloom from midsummer until the start of winter and is native to South America, Mexico, and Central America. Dahlias are available in almost every color in the rainbow, with the most popular colors including: fuchsia, pink, orange, and red.

12. Tulip

Tulips are popular due to their unique shape and wide variety of colors and are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. From bright reds and yellows to nearly black purples, there seems to be a tulip for every color of the rainbow. They bloom from spring into early summer and are popular around Easter. Red tulips are great for weddings because they symbolize true love, and yellow tulips symbolize cheerfulness.

11. Iris

Another popular springtime flower is the iris (Iris germanica). Known for its bright purple and violet flowers, these flowers symbolize wisdom, hope, and trust. The iris’ beauty has allowed them to be iconic subjects in fine art, as is evident in one of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous paintings, Irises. They are native the Eastern Mediterranean and their peak bloom time occurs in May.

10. Lotus

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic plant known for producing large flowers. Native to Asia, the flower grows abundantly from India to China. The lotus is considered a highly sacred flower in both Hinduism and Buddhism and carries several meanings including: harmony, enlightenment, and rebirth. They are available in many beautiful colors, including dark and light pink, white, and purple.

9. Anemone

There are many species of anemone, the most stunning of which are Anemone coronaria, a species that’s native to the Mediterranean region. Also known as windflowers, their name is derived from the Greek word “anemos” which means wind. The fall-blooming varieties are taller with cup-shaped blossoms, while the spring blooming varieties grow lower to the ground. They grow in a variety of colors including pink, red, purple, and white.

8. Cherry Blossom

Cherry blossoms are one of the world’s most beautiful flowers. During the spring, the cherry blossom tree (Prunus serrulata) erupts into pink clouds composed of tiny blossoms. Every year, the Cherry Blossom Festival is held in Japan where tourists from all over the world come to marvel at the sight of these stunning trees. The United States has its own cherry blossom festival as well which is an annual celebration that takes place in Washington, DC. It commemorates the gifting of 3,000 cherry blossom trees which were given to the United States by the Mayor of Tokyo in 1912 as a gesture to strengthen ties between the two nations.

7. Orchid

Orchids are one of the most exotic flowers that you can grow in your own home. There are over 20,000 types of orchids, with the most popular domestic species being the moth orchid, or Orchidaceae phalaenopsis. These large orchid blooms are popular for the size of their blooms and are native to the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and America. Orchid meanings include: elegance, love, and fertility.

6. Magnolia

Another popular southern flower is the magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora). This tree grows wild in the southern United States and is the official state flower of Mississippi. They produce large creamy white blooms that can reach impressive sizes, up to 15 inches wide. They are popular for attracting bees due to their sweet perfume, however, magnolia flowers have a short lifetime and can only last for a few days.

5. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum indicum) originated in China where they’ve been cultivated since 15th century BC. Not only are their flowers beautiful with their densely layered petals and wide array of colors, they have plenty of medicinal properties as well, and are used as an herbal remedy. Due to their long history, chrysanthemum meanings are deeply symbolic and are used to communicate: love and deep passion, loyalty, and a get well wish.

4. Passion Flower

Passion flowers are one of the most exotic flowers you can grow in your garden. There are over 400 species of passionfruit vines, but the most popular is Passiflora edulis which is the only one that can produce passionfruit. Native to the Americas, passion flowers are usually purple, lavender, or blue.

3. Peony

Peonies are one of the most sought after flowers in the world due to their beauty and fragrance. They are native to China where they are highly valued, and are known as the “king of flowers.” Peonies are incredibly lush flowers that have densely packed petals that open up gradually over time layer by layer. They are available in a wide variety of colors ranging from light pastel pinks and whites to bright and bold reds and magentas, and are one of the most popular flowers used in wedding decor.

2. Protea

As the national flower of South Africa, the king protea (Protea cynaroides) is one of the most spectacular species of protea. It is the largest protea species and has a massive bloom size that can reach almost 12 inches in width. With long pink petals that surround a furry center, it is typically the star of the show within a bouquet.

1. Rose

The classic rose deserves the number one spot as the most beautiful flower due to its timeless beauty. An international symbol of love and romance, there are thousands of different types of roses that can be found in nearly every color. From the classic red rose, to the popular Juliet garden rose, there’s a rose that can suit anyone’s taste.

From the timeless rose to the exotic lily, it’s certainly difficult to ignore the sheer beauty of flowers. When you’re having a bad day, sometimes looking at something beautiful like a flower is just enough to perk you up. That’s why we created a wall art printable to remind you to see the beauty in all things.

Inspired by someone who definitely knows a thing or two about beautiful flowers, we included one of the most famous quotes by Matisse, the French Impressionist painter known for his colorful depictions of flowers. The quote says, “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”

Hang the art print on your wall, or put it in a standing frame for your desk to help you see the beauty in any situation. Simply click on the image below to download the 8” x 10” print.

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