Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthdays – all of these occasions require the purchase of regular flower bouquets, but which are the most expensive flowers in the world? While most flower bundles cost about $5 dollars, there are several rare types of floral breeds that can cost you a small fortune. Collectors know that the more exotic and rare a flower is, the pricier it will be to purchase a bulb for your garden. Although formal blossom production has been around since the creation of greenhouses in the 1700’s, these species are very peculiar and therefore, expensive.
It seems that almost anything can have a price tag nowadays, and for those of you interested in farming or plants in general, you’ll find some enlightening information in our article regarding the most expensive specialty crops in the world. But for now, let’s focus on the decorative aspect of the flora. Here’s our countdown of the most expensive flowers in the world.
6. Lisianthus
Price: $10 – $35 per bundle
Known as paper flowers, Lisianthus have a very delicate and frail appearance, due to their wide, white, and ruffled petals. This flower grows between 15 and 60 cm in height and it sports a 5 cm diameter. Given that it only blooms once a year, and only survives for approximately two weeks after being cut from its stem, these bouquets can be rather pricey. However, they’re beautiful colour tones vary from purple, to lavender, to blue violet, making them well worth the price.
5. Hydrangea
Price: $6.5 per stem
Hydrangeas are almost like a gardener’s dream plant, because they require special care and a lot of attention before showing their beautiful blossoms to the world. The shrubs can reach up to 3 meters in height, and while most Hydrangeas bloom white petals, there are some blue, violet, pink, and lavender coloured versions. Given the leaves fragile texture, these flowers wilt easily, making them popular at single day events like weddings.
4. Gloriosa
Price: $6-$10 per flower
This flower is not only difficult to spot, but its shape is also quite unique. On your next trip to South Africa or Asia, keep your eyes peeled for this exotic beauty. Three meter long leaves, and petals that when opened appear inside out – almost like an inversed lily – with colours that transform from the middle to the tip. The most commonly spotted in nature are intense reds, oranges, and yellow-greens.
3. Saffron Crocus
Price: $1200 – $1500 per pound
When you hear the word saffron, most of you picture a yellow condiment. And while this is the end result of the saffron flower’s stamen, which is hand-picked and dried to create a powder, the actual blossoms are purple. Given that you need approximately 80,000 flowers to create 500 grams of the flavourful ingredient, its price tag is almost justified.
2. Gold of Kinabalu Orchid
Price: $6000 per flower
Rarity is the most common factor for whopping prices in products, and this case is no different. Found only in Malaysia’s Kinabalu National Park, this orchid only grows between April and May and can take years before it actually blooms for the first time. Once it does, it’s extraordinary green petals are tinted with red spots and stripes, giving it a very unique look.
1. Juliet Rose
Price: $15.8 million per piece
Headlining our list of the most expensive flowers in the world is this special rose breed, presented by David Austin at the 2006 Chelsea Flower Show. After a 15 year long process, the rose breeder showed the world how different a rose can be and millionaires immediately took a liking to the symmetrical, soft, circular blossoms. However, even for a flower so unique, paying over $15 million seems extreme.
