Flowers have been associated with beauty and grace for centuries. Recent studies have also found that flowers elicit strong and positive emotions among men and women of all ages. That’s sufficient reason for you to look for services that offer flower delivery in Sydney and send flowers to your loved ones.
However, if you want to enjoy these ephemeral beauties in their natural glory, all you need to do is to take a walk through Sydney’s Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG). Depending on the season, keep an eye out for some of these superstars:
Spring:
Yellow hibiscus – Hibiscus brackenridgei:
The critically endangered plant from Hawaii has glorious yellow flowers that bloom in the evening. It typically grows in semi-arid climates and is popular as an ornamental plant in Australia.
Unfortunately, it is estimated that only 20 mature plants exist in the wild in Maui and Lanai. Some subspecies are extinct in the wild. Thankfully, you still get to enjoy their beauty in RBG in November, where they exude a rich buttery glow.
Lesser Swamp Orchid – Phaius australis
This species of ground orchid is endemic to Australia but is endangered in the wild. It could be seen aplenty in the swamps of NSW’s north coast before land clearing and illegal plant collection threatened its presence. It is a subspecies of the Nun’s Hood Orchid and is the largest among all Australian orchids. A plant can bear up to 20 lush pink flowers at a time, making them a bright feast for the eyes.
If you happen to be in the gardens in winter and are feeling bad about missing the swamp orchid, you can head over to the Palm House to admire the 60-year-old Rat’s Tail orchid tree that flowers only for a week throughout the year.
Summer:
Lotus, Sacred Lotus – Nelumbo nucifera
Lotus is India and Vietnam’s national flower and plays a significant role in Hindu and Buddhist spiritualism. It has healing properties, and practically all parts of the plant are edible. The pink lotuses bloom overnight across ponds and lakes, magically transforming the scene. The seeds of this plant are released into the water, where they can stay dormant for centuries. If you visit the RBG in February, don’t miss an opportunity for a fantastic photoshoot at the Oriental Garden.
Blue Ginger – Dichorisandra thyrsiflora
The blue ginger is a tropical plant from eastern Brazil, which is thus named since it resembles the ginger plant. It is, however, related to the spiderwort family and has similar cobalt blue flowers. Like other spiderworts, blue gingers have anthers that open through tiny slits. When bees land on the flower, their buzzing shakes the pollen out of the anther. You can see these vibrant splashes of blue in full bloom in the month of February in the gardens of the Blue Mountains.
Begonia – Begonia minor
Begonias are found across the world in subtropical and tropical climates. These tiny flowers can be white or pink and are rather peculiar – they have asymmetrical leaves, and the same plant has separate male and female flowers. The female flowers have wing-shaped ovaries below the petals. You can also find them with any providers of flower delivery in Sydney.
Autumn: (March to May)
Angel’s Trumpet – Brugmansia cultivars
Angel’s Trumpets belong to the poisonous nightshade family. Although native to tropical South America, they are now, unfortunately, extinct in the wild. People value it for its medicinal, religious, and ornamental use. With their fragrant and pendulous flowers, Angel’s Trumpets are a popular attraction throughout May. If you pay a visit to the Vaucluse House, walk by the west turret to check out their beautiful Angel’s Trumpet gardens.
Winter:
White and Golden Camellias:
The Camellia plant from China produces beautiful white flowers with heart-shaped petals. Its fruit is used to produce Camellia oil, which is used as a cooking medium and to make soaps and medicines.
The Golden Camellia is also endemic to southeast China and was only available outside China in the 1980s. The small, shy flowers can be found hiding below the branches amongst the leaves, which are a striking pink-red colour. Wild populations of both the white and golden camellia are endangered.
The Blue Mountain gardens have a section dedicated to celebrating the camellias, as they were planted there in the 1800s, much before the site was deemed a botanical garden. Pick a book on the historical significance of Camellia in Australia while sipping Camellia tea under the shade of a Camellia tree!
In conclusion
Flowers are intricately laced with the lives of humans, eliciting love, joy, nostalgia, and reverence. There is no better way to say you care than with a bunch of carefully arranged flowers. If you can’t pick them yourself, do consider flower delivery in Sydney to make someone’s day a tad bit brighter. Your loved ones are bound to appreciate this gesture.
