Middlemist Red Camellia

With only two suspected specimens of middlemist red camellias in the world, you’d surely be lucky if you ever saw one. These flowers are quite literally known for being the rarest flower on earth. They produce large, lush, pinkish-red flowers that are often compared to roses. The Middlemist Red Camellia thrives in temperate climates and prefers mild temperatures - nothing too humid or chilly. They bloom in late winter to early spring, providing a burst of color while many other plants are still dormant. They also have a rich history, marking middlemist red camellias to be one special kind of flower.

The plant was collected in 1804 in China by John Middlemist, who gave it to Kew Gardens. Though it vanished from there, a descendant grew nearby in 1823. Today, there is one in the Chisick House Gardens in London and another in a garden in New Zealand. In general, camellias symbolize admiration, perfection and loveliness. The Middlemist Red, due to its rarity, can also represent rarity and the preciousness of the unique.

Author - Jennifer McGraw