As with most things in life, the highest end of luxury remains out of reach for many. Despite the fabulous variety of many florists, it’s doubtful that even globally renowned florists will be including these costly beauties in their flower delivery services!
Orchids
The wondrous variety of the orchid family and subsequent rarity of some of its blooms is legendary. The popularity of orchids in terms of florist delivery and associated services is not easily matched. Extremely rare specimens can reach rather dizzying prices. For example, in 2005 a Chinese agricultural science research team engineered a unique orchid that sold for £130,000.00
With the exclusion of scientifically engineered specimens, the Gold of Kinabulu orchid is the most expensive in the world. Most are grown carefully under high levels of security in the Kinabulu National Park, Malaysia. Maturing for around fifteen years before flowering, this beauty flies of the most prestigious florist’s shelves for around £3,000 per stem.
Kadupul Flower
This Sri Lankan beauty is rarely seen thanks to its incredibly short lifespan of just a few hours (flowering at midnight and wilting a few short but spectacular hours later) The legendary status of the transient Kadupul flower amongst local people has perhaps added to its value. Whilst the financial gain of local florists is limited in terms of flower delivery, guided night tours for those willing to cough up inflated sums of cash are possible.
Semper Augustus Tulip
Although no longer held in the financial esteem it once was, the Semper Augustus bulb is said to have been the most expensive flower in history. Sold for the value of a country house in 16th century Holland during the fanatical tulip fashion that gripped the country for earlier years of the century, the Semper Augustus would have made an excellent, if perhaps costly addition to any florist delivery service.