At Appleyard, we think it's pretty safe to say that there is no other flower as widely coveted as the orchid. With their enchanting stems, incredible colour and sumptuous scents, it's easy to see why they are one of our most popular flowers.
With over 30,000 species of orchids the world over, humans have cross-bred this incredibly diverse species to create more than 150,000 hybrids, with more appearing every day. Most of these are grown for their beautiful flowers, but in some cases the seedpods of the orchid plant can be used to provide popular flavouring, such as the vanilla orchid. Strangely, unlike most flowering plants that grow in soil, the orchid actually grows in the air. The orchid attaches it root to nearby trees or rocks and takes in water or moisture that wash over them.
There is evidence that orchids have been around for over 120 million years, which would mean they inhabited the Earth at the same time as Dinosaurs. As one of the largest and most diverse plant species, orchids have provided  people all over the world with beautiful flowers for centuries.
As well as being used as a decorative plant, different cultures have also used orchids for their healing, disease fighting and protective properties. The Chinese have used orchids to help cure coughs and lung illnesses, Greeks have associated orchids with virility, and the Aztec's were thought to have drank a concoction of the vanilla orchid and chocolate to induce power and strength.
During Victorian times, possession of orchids symbolised wealth and luxury. Victorian homes with orchids in were considered to be upper class. Today, the magnificence and artful splendour of orchids has continued with them commonly representing rare and delicate beauty.
To view our range of luxury flowers bouquets which feature orchids, click here.
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