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![A beautiful steady sweetheart of the winter garden, the Camellia. We have a variety of hardy bushes that bring cheer every winter and it’s easy to take them for granted as a stock steady of the garden. However I recently learnt that the honour of the world’s rarest flower goes to a camellia named Middlemist’s Red (Middlemist camellia).
The lovely flower (pics 2,3,4) is named after John Middlemist, a botanist who brought it from China to England in 1804. Today, only two known specimens of Middlemist’s Red exist—one in the United Kingdom and the other in New Zealand!
The journey of Middlemist’s Red to England is a tale of botanical curiosity and exploitation. In 1804, John Middlemist, a Shepherd’s Bush, London nurseryman, brought this stunning flower from China to England. During this period, plant collection peaked, driven by the European fascination with exotic species and the prestige of owning rare plants.
The Middlemist’s Red was bought up extensively by collectors, driven by the desire to possess and display exotic flora, who often disregarded the ecological impact of their actions. Sadly, this practice of frenzied collection in its native habitat in China contributed to its near extinction. Plus many regions in China where the flower originally grew have undergone significant changes due to urbanisation, agriculture, and industrial development, thus devastating its natural habitat.
I also read that the plant is slow to grow, hard to cultivate and has fussy requirements to thrive. The specific conditions required for its growth—particular soil types, humidity levels, and temperatures—make it less adaptable to various environments. This has deterred many gardeners and commercial growers from attempting to propagate it extensively.
It just goes to show you can’t take anything for granted, appreciate every gorgeous bloom you land on. In so far as the camellia, I say love the one you’re with! 🥰🌸🌺
[ceramic vase by @evie_and_the_fox ]
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#camellia #rareplants #bloom #camelliajaponica #wintergarden #handbuiltceramics #evieandthefox #lovetheoneyourewith #🌸](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t39.30808-6/472285347_18471549862029073_1533563417226325355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=74KXUnkNSdMQ7kNvwFg0S5M&_nc_oc=Adm_WXjNSWOSQV-hmWeBMs8Qm9bX37M6Cs9m79dWan9aSCmMWHUg98rPgCjVVJglL2I&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=uQXmjOyJSm5wTLdEhKUHjg&oh=00_AfVmwJ6md91CvMeKOd9U-2gtXcE1qAiAyx4BC3wuqmwVIA&oe=689E64D7)
