12. Middlemist’s Red
The Middlemist’s Red or the spring rose is one of the world’s rarest flowers. Only two of these plants exist. One at Treaty House in New Zealand and another at Chiswick House & Gardens in England. The latter has been flowering there every year since 1823. It was first imported as a luxury item from China in 1804. By the mid-1820’s, it was nearly extinct in its native habitat.
On the next page you’ll find a very expensive and sought-after flower, Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid.