Flowers of Spain – Attractive Spanish Flora Explained

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Last Updated on June 20, 2023 by Tony Manhart

The flowers of Spain are an attraction that is admired by everyone who has the pleasure of basking in their beauty. Spain is home to many species of flowers, with some of them finding themselves embedded in the culture of the flowers of Spain.

Because of its position, Spain has the perfect conditions to grow many plants that need a lot of sun exposure. In today’s article, we’ll be taking a look at the floral side of Spain, determining what are the most popular and traditional flowers from the country, what are they intended for, and what are most popularly grown.

Most Common Plants in Spain

1. Red Carnation

Did you know that the carnation is the national flower of Spain? Well, the red carnation has a very similar traditional understanding as the rose – it’s a symbol of passion between lovers. However, similar to the rose, it’s also a symbol of the passion of Christ (because of the crown of thorns).

This flower holds a special place in Spanish culture because of its particular shape and color. The vibrant red is supposed to commemorate and represent the energy of the Spanish people, while it’s also embedded in Spanish history because of the traditional catholic symbolism in their culture.

Most Common Plants In Spain - Red Carnation

2. Valencia Red Rose

Then, we have this species of rose, indigenous to Valencia. Although red roses are common more or less around the entire world, the Valencian red rose is a bit different in terms of shape, and it’s been developed in the Oliva Nova region.

3. Pomegranate Flower

Pomegranate is a very popular fruit in Europe, but the flower of the fruit is very important as part of Spain’s historical symbolism. This bloom might as well be the most popular flower in Spain, and you’ll see many gardeners growing it. The fruit, pomegranate, is so popular that the city of Granada was named after it!

4. Lesser Butterfly Orchid

This species of orchid is native to Spain, and it usually blooms from spring into summer, forming in moist soil and blooming in full sun. You’ll notice that Spain is home to many orchids which need high sun exposure to grow properly. This is no coincidence, as Spain is one of the sunniest countries on the continent.

5. Spanish Bluebells

Spanish Bluebells are another native flower to Spain. The name is fairly accurate as these flowers have bell-shaped blossoms in the color blue. These flowers grow essentially all over Spain, as they don’t have any preference when it comes to sun exposure or type of soil.

6. Spanish Pink Flower

The Spanish pink flower is a popular decorative plant that is endemic to Spain and other Mediterranean regions. The scientific name of this plant is known as the Sparaxis tricolor. However, the Spanish pink flower is also popularly known by various other names, which include the harlequin flower, the Spanish flag, the wandflower, and the Spanish eyes.

It has a spectacular display of a pink center with yellow, pink, and orange petals that encompass it. This beautiful plant is a sought-after bulbous plant that is known to bloom in the spring and early summer seasons and grow in stunning clusters. Additionally, when it comes to flowers of Spain, the Spanish pink flower is a well-liked selection by gardeners around the world.

The reason for this is that these gorgeous plants are easy to grow and maintain. Pink carnations are also popularly grown in Spain as it resembles gratitude.

pink flowers of spain

Van Zyverden 87108 Wood Hyacinths Hispanica Blue Set of 25 Bulbs

Flowers Spain

Must-See Spanish Flower Places and Traditions

Flower Festival in Girona

Spain is home to one of the biggest, if not the biggest flower festival in the world. Taking place in Girona every year, the Temps de Flors is one of the largest festivals in Spain in general. During the festival, there are literally thousands of flower arrangements decorating the city, both by locals and gardeners that come from foreign countries to participate in the festival.

During the festival, gardeners will display their creations from both their own homes (if they’re locals) and from official stands.

Carmona Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a very popular plant in the sunniest European countries. These plants usually thrive in the sun, and it’s not uncommon to see endless fields of sunflowers. The most popular example of that display is seen in Tuscany, but there are also sunflower fields in Spain, in the town of Carmona.

There are more than 30 000 hectares of land with planted sunflowers. Since they bloom in late spring, the place is usually filled with tourists during that time who all come to see the massive sunflower fields.

Guadalajara Lavender

In the province of Guadalajara, there are more than 1000 hectares of land with planted lavender fields near the town of Bruihuega. Because of the sheer amount of lavender there, the town constantly has the aroma of lavender, while thousands of tourists visit every year to see the spectacular sights and colors.

Guadalest Valley Almonds

When almond trees bloom in the spring, the entire Valley of Guadalest turns white. It is an impressive sight to see, which is why this place has become a popular tourist spot in the past decade.

Quinta de los Molinos, Madrid

What’s interesting about this park is that it’s located in the very center of Spain’s capital, Madrid, and it still has a beautiful display of almond trees. Similar to the Guadalest Valley almond trees, these trees also start their bloom in early spring and offer quite a view for anyone in the middle of an urban jungle.

Toledo Poppy Fields

Poppy fields are an easy find all over Europe, but Spain has its own poppy fields located near Toledo. These red flowers cover the grounds around the castles of Montalbán and Polán during April and May in a breathtaking way. Similarly, there are many fields with a yellow bloom, not a red bloom, as they’re covered with other flowers; an example of this is in the Sierra de Gredos Park.

Most Common Plants In Spain - Toledo Poppy Fields

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Gardening in Spain

Gardening in Spain is celebratory, as seen in the festivals that are fondly dedicated to it. This is because Spain is a country where the majority enjoy gardening, whether it be on balconies and terraces or in their personal gardens.

Amongst the many plants grown by the Spaniards, citrus trees, cacti, succulents, and a variety of other plant species thrive in Spain’s Mediterranean environment. This is because of the ideal hot summers and mild winters, as mentioned above. Additionally, Spanish gardens have a distinct and individual aesthetic that includes artistic ironwork, contains, and other eye-catching enhancements.

The care and maintenance given to Spanish gardens are also remarkable, as most growers prefer conventional techniques to maintain their plants. Hand watering and timeous pruning are amongst the many gardening techniques that are implanted by the gardeners of Spain. This is why the practice of gardening is loved in the country, as the bright colors enhance the beauty of the surroundings around the nation.

Best Plants for Pots in Spain

So, what are the best plants for pots in Spain? You would be glad to know that there are numerous possibilities when it comes to selecting plants for pots in Spain. This is because the hot, dry climate makes it easy to pick plants that can resist extreme sun exposure and dryness. Succulents that include aloe vera, cacti, and agave are quite resilient plants that require very less watering.

These plants are commonly grown because they are some of the best flowers of Spain. Additionally, aromatic herbs, which include rosemary and time are other popular options that grow well in pots in the Spanish environment. Whether you choose to leave your plant pot indoors or outdoors, the Mediterranean climate is in favor of the above plants.

Aside from their beauty, these plants also offer a welcoming perfumed fragrance to their surrounding, which is a plus. However, when it comes to balconies and terraces in Spain, you will find that the most sought-after potted plants that are displayed include geraniums, bougainvillea, and petunias. The reason for these plants being the popular balcony choice is because of how their beauty enhances the area, giving it a bright, inviting appearance.

Here are a few other potted plants that you can grow in Spain:

  1. Rosemary
  2. Flaming Katy
  3. Golden pothos
  4. Jade plant
  5. Peppers
  6. Spider plant
  7. Corn plant

Low-maintenance varieties – succulents and cacti

  • Kalanchoe
  • Cycas
  • Hibiscus
  • Lavender
  • Hypericum
  • Plumbago
  • Passiflora

National Flower of Barcelona

When it comes to the national flower of Barcelona, the red carnation is considered the state flower of Barcelona. This flower is significant to the Catalan culture who refer to the flower as ‘Clavell’. Since the late 19th century, the red carnation has been representative of political activism and the labor movement.

Therefore it is linked to both Barcelona and Catalonia because of the history it represents. The flower was frequently sported as a sign of unity and support for social justice and workers’ rights movements. However, in present-day Barcelona, traditional events and festivals, including the La Merce festival, always feature the red carnation.

The reason that this flower represents Barcelona to this day is that it is still considered a significant cultural icon. It is a sturdy and simple plant to grow as it lends its vivacious color and beauty to gardens and outdoor areas around the region.

In Summation – Flowers of Spain

To end, remember that the Valencia red rose is possibly the most popular of all the flowers native to Spain, while the pomegranate flower and the red carnation are two of the most popular flowers in the country (with the latter being the national flower of Spain). Spain is also home to one of the largest flower festivals in the world, while there are literally thousands of flower fields in the entire country which attract millions of tourists each year.

Flowers of Spain have, with time, migrated across continents, and you can now find them around the entire world!

FAQs

How do I send flowers to Spain?

There are many flower delivery services that operate in Spain that are guaranteeing same-day delivery. Using one of those is your safest bet if you want to send flowers to someone in Spain.

What trees, flowers or plants are commonly found in Spain?

The pomegranate flower and the red carnation are two of the most popular flowers in the country, while the Valencia red rose shouldn't be forgotten. You're also likely to see many lavender and sunflower fields, as well as peach and almond trees.

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