Colombia is famous for many things; coffee, gold, landscapes and the charm of its people, but few things create as much wonder and affection as the quality and variety of its plants and flowers.
Millions of plants or flowers blooming all over the country in all colours of the rainbow are one of the many reasons why Colombian flowers are so special.
Which Colombian plants or flowers are the most loved?
There are thousands of plants or flowers in Colombia, but three stand out: roses, carnations and orchids. Roses are by far the most popular in the country and on one farm alone, you’ll find 30 different colours (and Colombians are sensitive to the colour of their roses; giving red ones to lovers, white ones to brides-to-be and yellow roses for loved ones’ graves). Colombian carnations are considered the best in the world for their quality, beauty and longevity. If you live in the United States and have worn a carnation in your buttonhole, chances are it came from Colombia. Orchids, of course, are a much more specialised flower, desired by collectors and enthusiasts all over the world. Colombia has the largest number of orchids in the world, with over 4,000 different species and 1,543 found only in Colombia.
Why are Colombian plants or flowers so famous?
First, there is the incredible biodiversity. Colombia has more than 130,000 different species of plants or flowers in its soil thanks to its variety of climates and ecosystems. There is a place for every plant. Secondly, Colombia has almost perfect conditions for commercial flower production, which is why its plants or flowers are so famous. The main flower-growing area of the country is in the savannah around Bogotá, because it has constant temperatures all year round and the same amount of light every day (about 12 hours). Best of all, some 100,000 years ago the savannah was actually a lake and although it is now dry, it still has dense, clay-rich soil and a massive network of wetlands, tributaries and waterfalls, perfect for growing flowers. Even so, the capital doesn’t retain all its glory. You’ll find species such as heliconia and bird-of-paradise flowers(strelitzia) growing happily on the coast.
Who buys Colombian plants or flowers?
Millions of people. Colombia is one of the world’s leading producers of plants or flowers, exports more than US$1 billion worth of flowers each year and the industry is growing. In 2003, 55% of all cut flowers imported into the United States came from Colombia. Ten years later that figure rose to 65% and now exceeds 70%. One of the reasons Colombia exports so many flowers to the United States is because it is so close, just a couple of hours from Miami International Airport, which processes 187,000 tonnes of freshly picked flowers each year. That’s a lot of plants or flowers and there is always a surge before Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day as well.
Where can I see Colombian plants or flowers?
Colombia has dozens of parks and gardens dedicated to its flowers, such as the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden in Bogotá, which is a research and recreation centre and features plants or flowers from every altitude, climate and region of Colombia (as well as focusing on the Andes and páramo ecosystems). Medellín’s botanical gardens are also much celebrated, with 4,500 flowers and a huge Orchidarium; Medellín, Colombia’s second city, holds its famous Flower Festival every August. Even in the Amazon rainforest you’ll find centres dedicated to Victoria amazonica, one of the largest water lilies in the world. In fact, all you have to do to enjoy the most beautiful flowers in the world is to travel to Colombia.
Fuente: Why are Colombian flowers the best in the world? – Plants or Flowers (plantasoflores.com)
