List of the Most Popular Flowers in the World

Rose

• Esteemed throughout history, roses have flavored the wines of ancient Rome, been obsessed over in China by Han dynasty imperial gardeners, and provided creative fodder for poets like William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Victor Hugo and Robert Frost. Like the title ballad sung by Bette Midler for her film "The Rose" affirms, the rose is the ultimate symbol of love. Roses will always be a bouquet favorite and according the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), roses are one of the top imported and top-selling flowers in the United States. Classic red roses are often given for romantic occasions such as Valentine's Day or an anniversary.

Orchid

• Exotic, intriguing and diverse, orchids will always fascinate nature lovers. The estimated number of orchid types around the world is more than 25,000 and the shapes, growing patterns and pollination methods are often unlike any other flower. Before days of conservation, orchid populations were often depleted through over-harvesting. Today, groups such as the American Orchid Society (AOS) strive to restore and conserve orchids and their natural habitats. The obsession that many horticulturalists, botanists and flower enthusiasts feel about orchids was well-illustrated in Spike Jonze's film "Adaptation," which was based on the book "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean.

Tulip

• Holland is the premier flower-growing country of Europe and the iconic tulip continues to stand strong as the country's national flower. In spring, Holland's landscape is filled with endless fields of bright tulips surrounding Dutch windmills. Historically, tulips were native to Central Asia and represented wealth during the Ottoman Empire. Today, the world's love of tulips is shown by the numerous annual tulip festivals held in countries such as Holland, the United States, Australia, Canada and England. Tulips are also an important Easter flower and their springtime growth is one symbol of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Tulips grow from bulbs and are commonly used in gardens, outdoor pots and for flower arrangements.