A Guide to Royal Flower Varieties
Throughout history, certain flowers have earned the prestigious designation of "royal" through their association with monarchs, noble gardens, and ceremonial occasions. These blooms have adorned palace gardens, crowned heads of state, and symbolized power, elegance, and refinement across cultures and centuries.
The Rose: Queen of All Flowers
The rose holds the most distinguished position among royal flowers, earning its title as the "Queen of Flowers" through centuries of cultivation and symbolism. Different varieties carry unique royal associations:
The English Rose has been England's national flower since the War of the Roses, when the red rose of Lancaster and white rose of York were united in the Tudor Rose. Modern English roses, developed by David Austin, combine the fragrance and form of old roses with repeat flowering.
The Bourbon Rose, originating from the French Île Bourbon, became synonymous with European aristocracy. These roses feature full, quartered blooms with intense fragrance, making them favorites in formal palace gardens.
The Gallica Rose, known as the "Rose of Provins," was cultivated in medieval monastery gardens and later adopted by French royalty. The deep crimson 'Cardinal de Richelieu' exemplifies this category's rich coloring and historical significance.
The Peony: Imperial Flower of China
In Chinese culture, the peony holds the title "King of Flowers" and symbolizes honor, wealth, and imperial power. For over a thousand years, these magnificent blooms graced the Forbidden City gardens, where emperors cultivated rare varieties as symbols of their divine mandate.
Tree Peonies represent the most prestigious form, with woody stems that can live for centuries. The variety 'Yao Huang' (Yao's Yellow) was so prized in ancient China that a single plant could cost more than gold. Herbaceous Peonies offer equally stunning blooms in shades from pristine white to deep burgundy, with the coral-pink 'Sarah Bernhardt' being named after the famous actress who epitomized elegance.
The Iris: Emblem of French Monarchy
The iris, specifically the bearded iris, served as the fleur-de-lis, the official emblem of French royalty for over 800 years. This stylized iris appeared on royal coats of arms, currency, and architecture throughout the French empire.
Tall Bearded Iris varieties like 'Immortality' and 'Beverly Sills' capture the regal bearing that made this flower a symbol of faith, wisdom, and chivalry. The German Iris (Iris germanica) forms the foundation of most modern bearded varieties, while the dramatic Japanese Iris offers flat, orchid-like blooms that were cultivated in imperial Japanese gardens.
The Lily: Symbol of Purity and Power
Several lily species have achieved royal status through their associations with monarchy and religious symbolism. The Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum) appears in countless royal portraits and religious artwork, representing purity and divine favor.
Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) earned its name from its crown-like cluster of orange or yellow blooms atop tall stems. These dramatic flowers were favorites in Tudor gardens and continue to command attention in formal plantings.
The Royal Lily (Lilium regale) discovered in western China in the early 1900s, quickly became prized for its trumpet-shaped white flowers with yellow throats and wine-red backs, bringing an exotic elegance to European royal gardens.
The Tulip: Ottoman Empire's Treasured Bloom
During the Ottoman Empire's "Tulip Period" in the early 18th century, these bulbs became symbols of paradise and perfection. The sultans cultivated thousands of varieties in palace gardens, with strict regulations governing their cultivation and sale.
Darwin Hybrid Tulips offer the classic cup shape and vibrant colors that captivated Turkish royalty. Varieties like 'Apeldoorn' in brilliant red and 'Golden Apeldoorn' in sunny yellow maintain the bold presence that made tulips symbols of wealth and power.
Parrot Tulips, with their fringed and twisted petals, represent the exotic varieties that commanded astronomical prices during "Tulip Mania" in 17th-century Holland, when single bulbs sold for more than houses.
The Orchid: Exotic Royalty
Orchids have long been associated with luxury, refinement, and exotic beauty. The Cattleya Orchid, often called the "Queen of Orchids," produces large, fragrant blooms that became the signature corsage flower for formal occasions.
Phalaenopsis Orchids, or moth orchids, gained royal favor for their elegant arching stems and long-lasting blooms. The pure white varieties became symbols of rare beauty and were often presented as gifts between royal courts.
Cymbidium Orchids hold special significance in Asian cultures, where they represent nobility, integrity, and friendship. These terrestrial orchids were cultivated by Chinese scholars and later adopted by imperial gardens throughout East Asia.
The Dahlia: Napoleon's Empress Favorite
The dahlia gained royal status through Empress Josephine's passion for these Mexican natives at her garden at Malmaison. She attempted to maintain exclusive cultivation rights, making dahlias symbols of elegance and dignity.
Dinner Plate Dahlias produce blooms that can exceed ten inches across, creating dramatic focal points worthy of imperial gardens. Decorative Dahlias offer formal, symmetrical petals that maintain the structured beauty favored in royal landscapes.
Cultivating Royal Gardens
Growing royal flower varieties requires attention to the same principles that guided palace gardeners throughout history. Most royal flowers prefer well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Full sun exposure brings out their most vibrant colors and strongest stems, though some varieties like certain orchids prefer filtered light.
Proper spacing allows air circulation, preventing the diseases that can diminish these prized blooms' beauty. Regular fertilizing during the growing season supports the vigorous growth and abundant flowering that these aristocratic plants are known for.
Many royal varieties benefit from companion planting with herbs like lavender and rosemary, which not only provide pest control but also create the aromatic gardens that were hallmarks of royal estates.
The legacy of royal flowers extends beyond their historical significance. These varieties represent centuries of careful breeding and selection, resulting in blooms of exceptional beauty, fragrance, and garden performance. Whether grown in grand estate gardens or modest home plots, royal flower varieties bring a touch of elegance and history to any landscape, connecting modern gardeners with the horticultural traditions of monarchs and nobility throughout the ages.
