Spain’s Most Popular Flowers

One of the biggest reasons why Spain is considered to be such a beautiful country is because it is filled with fields full of amazingly colored flowers. The fields are not the only place with such beauty as you will notice while walking around the streets of Spain that the windows and balconies of buildings are riddled with all kinds of different colored flowers. The Spanish simply love decorating their homes with natural colors.

Many centuries ago Spain started a tradition where they use flowers to express their feelings and today it is considered to be part of their culture. Here are some of Spain’s most popular flowers.

The Valencia Red Rose

The Valencia rose is a rarer type of rose that you can probably find it only in the Spanish region. This rare red rose has been used for many years in the past as a way to express love towards a soulmate. Today, the red rose is the obvious pick when looking for a bouquet for your love, they are also ideal when going on a Valentine’s Day date, for your anniversary, or when you just want to surprise your partner. Spain is probably one of the first countries that made the connection between the red rose and romance.

Most residents in the cities of Spain choose to grow this type of rose because it has a very long lifespan and can grow into a huge bush with hundreds of flowers.

Red Carnation

This is considered to be the national flower of Spain and you can hear it be referred to as a Clavel. It is most famously used to show affection from one towards another and it is also very popularly used in Christianity. The thorns on the stem represent the crown of thorn that Jesus Christ himself worn. So, if you ever want to show your true feelings to someone, the red carnation is probably your best option.

The flower can also come in various other bright colors that can be used for almost any kind of occasion. The white carnation is usually used to wish someone good luck while the darker colors such as the red one show affection or true love. Pink carnations are usually gifted to mothers, symbolizing the love between a child and a mother. It can also be used as a centerpiece for various events such as a wedding, family dinner, holidays, etc. Spain is filled with many different types of carnation which you can learn more about here.

Nymphaeaceae or simply Water Lilies

Water lilies love the tropical weather which is why they are in abundance in Spain. Anyone who is Spanish and has a pond in their own backyard probably has at least several water lilies in there. Not only they look much more unique than regular lilies, but their petal colors are also exceptionally vibrant and look great in combination with their green leaves. After you plant them in your pond, they do not really require any care as they are pretty self-sustainable and the pond creates a safe space for the plant.

They also positively contribute to many other species such as dragonflies, butterflies, bees, fish, and frogs by creating a safe habitat for them. They come in two different categories, but they can grow in several colors or shapes. Hardy lilies are the category of water lilies that only bloom during the day while tropical lilies can be seen blooming even at night.

Keep in mind, if you want to successfully grow water lilies in your backyard, your body of water must be at least 40 centimeters deep and have a surface area of about one or two square meters. If the pond is too small, the oxygen and carbon exchange between the water and air which can be dangerous for both your plants and your fish (if you have any). Water lilies can also regulate the quality of the water or in other words, keep it clean.

Poppies

While poppies might not be such a rare flower and certainly not native to Spain, but they do fill up most of the flower fields in the country. It is a perennial flower that prefers growing wild on fields or meadows, but the Spanish have started using the Spanish Poppy to decorate their own homes or buildings. If you ever visit Madrid during Spring, you will notice how every single balcony will have red flowers. Those flowers are usually poppies and people choose them because of their self-sustainability and the various colors it grows in.

Geraniums

These are also a very popular flower in Spain and people mainly grow them inside. You can also see them grown over balconies or are used as bedding plants in the garden. They do not require a lot of sun and can grow in the shade, so no need to worry if your balcony side doesn’t get a lot of sun during the day. They can also thrive in very hot climates and are pretty low-maintenance, so they won’t dry out as fast as you think. These plants became popular somewhere around the 17th century when Spain first discovered the home of Geraniums in South Africa.

Geraniums are well known for their strong fragrance from its green foliage which is why they are so commonly used in the kitchen for cooking. The strong smell can give any meal preparation a much richer taste. Keep in mind, they are usually used for sweeter food or drinks such as ice cream or lemonade.

Gazania

Gazania is the type of flower that won’t survive if you are not ready to spend a lot of time caring for it. They are usually referred to as the treasure flower or more famously as the African daisy. When fully grown, Gazania flowers can reach up to 18 inches in height and it can have the same spread as its height. No worries if you have sandy or dry soil in your backyard, you can easily grow these plants in even worse condition. They can also endure direct sunlight with no problem, so no point worrying about them getting too much heat. It is quite common to mistake this flower with a daisy, however, it has much stronger orange and yellow colors.