The world is a diverse place with many different landscapes and climates.

This means that the plants we see in our backyards are not all native to Europe, but often come from all over the world!

Plants can spread naturally across the entire world over millions of years, some have been introduced in the last few centuries by human beings.

This blog post will explore eleven of the most popular flower types and where they come from.

1) Where do Roses come from?

A Rose fossil from 35 million years ago has been found in China. They now grow all over the world, and some think they were introduced to Europe by the returning armies of Alexander the Great. 

They are a symbol of love and beauty across many cultures and have been painted by many famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh. The Rose is also the symbolic floral emblem for Romania and its capital Bucharest.

2) Where do Lilies come from? 

Lilies originate from Africa and the Mediterranean basin. The name Lily derives from the Latin word for lily, Lilium.

Most species of Lilies are poisonous, with some exceptions such as the Madonna Lily which is used in traditional medicines due to its fewer toxic alkaloids than other lilies.

A symbol of purity and secrecy, lilies are the symbol of several countries including the United States, Lebanon, and Japan.

3) Where do Sunflowers come from?

Sunflowers are native to North America, mostly Mexico. The name Sunflower comes from its physical resemblance to the sun. They but rather a family of plants that includes artichokes.

Sunflower seeds have been around for at least 7,000 years due to archaeological findings in Mexico. They were used by the Aztecs and Mayans to create sunflower oil, which was mainly used for cooking or lighting lamps.

4) Where do Lilacs come from? 

Lilacs originated in the Middle East but are now native to England and North America. Their name originates from the French word "lilas", meaning "purple".

The smell of lilacs is often associated with springtime. The tree is a common symbol for remembrance, and they're often associated with the First World War in particular because of their association with somewhere like France or Belgium, where many battles were fought.

5) Where do Tulips come from? 

Tulips were a wildflower that grew on the steppes of Central Asia for thousands of years but were first cultivated by the Turks in the year 1000AD.

Tulips were introduced to Europe in the 1500s by Dutch botanist Carolus Clusius.

Everyone in the world of flowers (or finance!) has heard of the Dutch Tulip Mania in the 1630s, but did you know nearly 100 years later in the 1720s a similar craze overtook the Ottoman Empire as the Sultan demanded new blooms be cultivated and tulips became fashionable among the aristocracy and in the court.

6) Where do Carnations come from?

Carnations are a genus of flowering plants which belong to the family - Caryophyllaceae . There are about 100-150 species of carnation, and they can be found growing in Europe, North Africa, and Asia.

The first known instance of human cultivation comes from Aincent Greek times- making Carnations one of the oldest known cultivated species of flowers. 

Carnation is one of the most popular flowers used for making bouquets as they are highly fragrant and come in a variety of colours and sizes. The flower itself is symbolic, with meanings ranging from affection to admiration.

7) Where do Orchids come from? 

Orchids are known the world over for their beautiful and unique flowers, They come from tropical areas of Asia.

The inside of an orchid's petals is used to make tea while the leaves can be made into cosmetic products and painkillers.

8) Where do Lisianthuses come from? 

Lisianthus, flowers which are symbolic of appreciation, is Native to North America, before being cultivated into their modern form by Japanese growers in the 1930s.

9) Where do Freesias come from? 

Freesia flowers originate from the mountainous regions of Northern China, Tibet, and Siberia.

Freesias grow in a variety of soils but prefer well-drained loam and don't do particularly well in pots. In unfavourable conditions such as drought or frost, freesia will dry-up quickly and die back completely.

Freesias like plenty of sun with no shade at all, as they get burnt easily when their leaves are covered by shadow for too long; overcast days are better tolerated by this type of flower.

10) Where do Delphiniums come from? 

Delphiniums, the flower of the month for July, originate from mountainous regions in Central Asia.

The plant was originally cultivated as a decorative garden border plant, but their brilliant colours and spectacular blooms converted them into a popular cut flower market.

Delphiniums are most famously known for their vibrant blue color which they retain even after they have been cut.

11) Where do Primroses come from? 

Primroses, which are the national flower of England, are a flower native to western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and parts of southwest Asia

The plant is extremely popular in Europe because of their ability to bloom in gardens from March until November and their low maintenance nature.

Primroses are also known for being able to produce flowers indoors with limited care; they bloom best when placed outside during their growing season.

Conclusion

There are many different types of flowers that come from all over the world.

We carry an extensive line of fresh-cut flower bouquets that can bring all the flowers of the world into your home. All of our flowers are available for same-day Birmingham Flower Delivery, so why not pick up a new bouquet today!