Middlemist’s Red (also known as Spring Rose) is the rarest flower in the world because it only appears in two locations: one is a greenhouse in England and the other is a garden in New Zealand.
The Origins of this Rare Flower
Middlemist’s Red belongs to the camellia family, but it resembles a rose. Although the word “red” is literally in its name, Middlemist’s Red actually has a distinctive deep pink color.
This flower belongs to the camellia family but resembles a rose.
This flower was first discovered in China about 200 years ago. It was named after John Middlemist, who collected it in China and brought it to England in 1804.
From that time, Middlemist’s Red was considered a rare flower, only found in the grand homes of England, owned by affluent families who could afford to purchase them.
The Rarity That Brings Value
Between 1804 and 1820, this flower unexpectedly disappeared en masse across the United Kingdom. Even John Middlemist himself no longer had any specimens after gifting one to a friend.
Its variants remain extremely rare and valuable.
By 1823, Middlemist’s Red could no longer be found in China or anywhere else, with the only remaining specimens located at Chiswick House & Gardens, a stately mansion of the Duke of Devonshire in England.
Additionally, a specimen of the flower was unexpectedly found at Treaty House, Waitangi (New Zealand), where it is believed to have been planted in 1833.
How Middlemist’s Red gradually vanished from its homeland in China, or how a specimen found its way to New Zealand and survived there for nearly two centuries, are mysteries we may never uncover.
However, what we do know about this flower is that its variants remain extremely rare and valuable.
Geraldine King, a gardener at Chiswick House & Gardens, stated that a few centuries ago, the Duke of Devonshire sold a Middlemist’s Red flower for the equivalent of about £3,200 (around $4,400 USD).
This rare camellia flower has many health benefits.
This rare camellia flower has also fortunately survived after several locations were bombed during the 19th century.
The flower has thrived in barren lands in England for many years, and only recently has it begun to bloom.
According to WOMS, this rare camellia flower has numerous health benefits, such as strengthening hair, providing antioxidants, and serving as a natural skin moisturizer, which is why it is often used to create expensive cosmetics.
