Spain captivates visitors with the sight of vibrant, multicolored flowers draped over walls and window frames or swaying in the breeze on its lonely hillside and city streets.
You may also add a little bit of the Mediterranean to your backyard garden if the correct growing conditions are there. Here are 21 gorgeous native blooms to Spain, along with intriguing facts about them and the appropriate growing zones!
Table of Contents
1. Pomegranate Flower
The many seeds of the Persia-born pomegranate flower are thought to symbolize’rebirth’ in Greek mythology because of its connection to the goddess Persephone and her quest to resurrect souls.
It is frequently used at weddings as a symbol of fresh beginnings and opportunities; Spanish art and literature frequently portray it in this way.
Because they are used to the poor native soil, fertilize sparingly.
- Punica granatum, the botanical name
- Defined as: Rebirth
- Pink, orange, and red are common colors.
- Popular varieties include “Wonderful” and “Flore Pleno.”
- Optimal Zones for Growing: 7–10
- Light Requirements: 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight
2. Red Carnation
Red carnations, the national flower of Spain, signify love between lovers, but they have also been used in the Bible to depict Christ’s crown of thorns and to honor mothers.
When spent blossoms are dead-headed to encourage new growth, red carnations will continue to bloom well beyond the end of the summer. They have a fragrant, earthy aroma.
Make sure the soil is deep and well-draining to accommodate the plant’s robust root system.
- Dianthus caryophyllus, a plant
- Meaning: Compliment and esteem
- Pink, red, and white are common colors.
- Popular types include “Red Rocket” and “Laced Romeo.”
- Best growing zones are 4–10.
- Lighting Needs: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight
3. Poppies
Between 6000 and 3500 BC, indigenous cultures in Western Europe domesticated poppies, which are now famously linked to the commemoration of fallen soldiers in World War I and were used in classical poetry much before that.
As the flower that brings enduring serenity to souls, poppies have come to represent both death and eternal life throughout history.
It is important to water sparingly because overwatering causes lanky stems.
- Name of the plant: Papaver rhoeas
- Meaning: Eternity and death
- Red, orange, yellow, and pink are common colors.
- Popular types include “Ladybird” and “Bridal Silk.”
- Optimal Zones for Growing: 6–9.
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
4. Lantana
Lantanas have long been planted for their beauty and medicinal benefits, despite being classified as a weed due to their toxicity and fast growth.
While traditional Indian medicine utilized them to cure skin ailments and sexual dysfunction, the Victorians connected them with “rigor.”
The optimal conditions for lantana growth are wet, slightly acidic soil, and a monthly application of liquid fertilizer like Miracle-Gro.
- Lantana camara is its botanical name.
- Defined as: Rigor
- The usual hues include pink, red, yellow, and purple.
- Popular cultivars include “Dallas Red” and “Athens Rose.”
- Zones 8–11 are the best for growing
- Light Requirements: 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight
5. Water Lilies
In the Buddhist and Hindu faiths, water lilies have long represented rebirth, and in modern Western culture, they have come to stand for “purity of the heart.” They are regularly used in contemporary bridal bouquets.
The pink type, which is popular in Spain, can be grown in both ponds and large containers.
Use of rich or organic soil should be avoided because they will, respectively, promote algae growth and cause floating in water. Here are some planting advice.
- Nymphaeaceae, Nymphaeaceae
- Meaning: Purity and resurrection
- Pink, purple, and white are common colors.
- White water lilies and scented water lilies are common varieties.
- The best growing zones are 3–10.
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
6. Roses
Roses have traditionally represented love and adoration as well as conflict and politics.
They are hungry flowers that require rich soil to thrive, so feed them rose-specific fertilizer (get it here) to encourage blooming.
Roses of all hues are abundant throughout the Alhambra palace in Granada as a tribute to a 17th-century romance between Ruiz de Alarcón, a royal servant, and Jacinta, a young woman, who wore a rose in her hair.
- Rosa, the botanical name
- Meaning: Passion and love
- Common hues include red, pink, and white.
- Popular varieties include the hybrid tea rose “Polyantha”
- The best growing zones are 3–10.
- Lighting Needs: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight
7. Spanish Bluebell
The Spanish bluebell is the most hardy of the bluebell species since it can be planted practically anyplace in your garden and can tolerate full-day shade.
Victorians gave bluebells as gifts to people as a gesture of gratitude and humility because of their graceful “bowing” nature, but medieval folklore regarded them with dread because it was thought that fairies would cast a spell if you touched or “rung” a bluebell or that witches hid in bluebell fields after changing into hares.
- Hyacinthoides hispanica, a plant
- Meaning: Respect and appreciation
- Common hues include blue, pink, and white.
- Popular varieties include “Excelsior” and “Dainty Maid.”
- The best growing zones are 3–8.
- Demands for light: partial shade
8. Bougainvillea
In Mediterranean nations, welcoming guests with these beautiful fuchsia-pink flowers is a common practice that accords with the flowers’ meaning of beauty and the desire for peace between two entities.
Grenada’s coat of arms features a garland of bougainvillea, the country’s national flower. When planted in substantial containers or conservatory borders, these climbers look magnificent.
- botanical name: species of bougainvillea
- Meaning: tranquility and grace
- Pink, orange, and purple are common colors.
- Popular varieties include “Purple Queen” and “Cherry Blossom.”
- Best growing zones are 9 to 11.
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
9. Geraniums
Geraniums add brilliant, strong color to your garden and are great as both bedding plants and hanging basket accents, but they will need to be overwintered to stay healthy.
Due to the seed pod’s resemblance to a crane’s beak, the name “geranium” is derived from the Greek word “géranos,” which means “crane.”
Traditionally, these flowers are given as housewarming presents as a sign of friendship and wellbeing.
- Pelargonium, the plant
- Meaning: Friendship and well-being
- Common hues: red, pink, and purple
- Popular Types: “Rozanne” and “Orion”
- Best growing zones are 5 to 9.
- Lighting Needs: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight
10. Gazania Flowers
Theodorus of Gaza was a Greek-Italian scholar who gave the gazania flower its name. Because of the gazania’s vibrant color range, acquiring a bouquet is thought to represent wealth and riches.
Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings to avoid fungus problems. Their strong leather-like foliage makes them reasonably drought tolerant.
- Gazania rigens, the botanical name
- Meaning: Good luck
- Common hues include yellow, orange, and variegated
- Popular varieties include “Tiger Stripe Mix” and “Kiss Bronze Star.”
- Best growing zones are 4–10.
- Lighting Needs: 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight
11. Orchid
Ancient Greeks considered the graceful orchid to be a sign of virility, and Victorian-era England formerly regarded it as a status symbol.
Additionally, the Greeks thought that swallowing specific orchid tubers may reveal the gender of an unborn child.
These days, orchids are used for a variety of things, from vanilla flavoring and edible decorations to flowery bridal bouquets.
For better air circulation, your garden orchids will prefer an aerated potting mix like this one.
- Orchidaceae, a family of plants
- Meaning: Generosity and wealth
- Red, orange, and white are common colors.
- Moth orchids and slipper orchids are common varieties.
- Optimal Zones for Growing: 6–9.
- Light Requirements: Sunlight hours in the morning and evening
12. Lilies
Lilies have been linked to various meanings thanks to its fragrant scent and exquisite color scheme, such as femininity (pink), friendship (yellow), and rebirth (white).
Because of their lovely aroma, it’s even thought that Ancient Romans filled their cushions with lilies.
Since lily flowers’ bulbs need to be slightly exposed to the cold to blossom, they will not thrive in extremely southern regions.
- Lilium is a botanical name.
- Meaning: Rebirth and friendship
- Yellow, pink, and white are common colors.
- Popular varieties include trumpet lily and oriental lily.
- The best growing zones are 4–9.
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
13. Anthora
Due to the shape of its back sepals, which resembles the cowl worn by medieval monks, anthoras are sometimes known as monkshood plants.
An offering of anthora flowers is thought to be a warning against a potential act of treachery.
This makes sense given that anthoras was used to create one of the earliest poisons ever employed in Ancient Greece and was widely utilized as a poison in war and political assassinations.
To avoid leggy stems, avoid growing these in too rich soil.
- Name of the plant: Aconitum anthora
- Defined as: Peril and betrayal
- Common hues include purple, blue, and white.
- Two common varieties are “Albus” and “Blue Sceptre.”
- Best growing zones are 3–7.
- 6 hours of dappled sunshine is required for lighting.
14. Ornamental Onion
These close relatives of the actual vegetable produce solitary, spherical flowers that develop slowly and, in some cultures, represent patience and harmony.
Shakespeare also referred to the decorative onion’s delicate beauty as a flower that was “capable of moving one to tears.”
This non-edible blossom releases a light, luckily non-tear-inducing onion-like aroma when crushed.
These will thrive organically in locations with frequent rains and will fare best when watered sparingly.
- Allium is a botanical name.
- Meaning: Patience and cooperation
- Yellow, white, and purple are common colors.
- Popular cultivars include “Globemaster” and “Schubert Allium.”
- Best growing zones are 4–10.
- Part sun/part shadow is required for lighting.
15. Lacy Self-Heal
Lacy self-heal, a flowering plant that belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae), is also referred to as “The Carpenter’s Herb” due to its long history of use in herbal medicine.
It’s intriguing that modern medical study has found that it has some degree of cancer and virus-fighting abilities.
The German word for the throat inflammation it was supposed to treat, Die Braune, is where the scientific name Prunella of this plant comes from. Among all the wildflowers, Lacy Self-Heal has the best growing potential.
- Prunella vulgaris is its scientific name.
- Meaning: Therapeutic
- Pink, purple, and blue are common colors.
- Popular varieties include “Bella Blue” and “Lacy Deep Pink.”
- The best growing zones are 4–9.
- Light requirements: some shade or partial sun
16. Gray-Leaved Cistus
These rock roses, which are prevalent on the mountains of Portugal and Spain, feature strong gray foliage and hot pink blossoms with a contrastingly papery texture.
Despite this, they are quite forgiving, suitably exemplifying endurance and tenacity.
The name Cistus means “popular favor” in the Victorian art of floriography, which involved communicating secret messages through floral arrangements.
With sporadic watering, you may bring out the most in this peculiar bloom.
- Name of the plant: Cistus albidus
- Meaning: Consistency
- Pink, white, and purple are common colors.
- Popular varieties include sun rose and white-leaved rock rose.
- Optimal Zones for Growing: 8–10
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
17. Daisies
This garden staple comes in a number of colors, and depending on the color, it might symbolize different things.
While the more flamboyant orange and yellow daisies stand for hope, excitement, and fun, the traditional white English daisy represents innocence (appropriately, the Girl Scouts utilize daisies in their first level badge).
Deadheading fading blossoms will promote stronger development, and adding mulch to the soil in the spring will help prevent weed growth.
- Bellis perennis is a plant.
- Meaning: Belief and youth
- Common hues are white, red, and pink.
- Shasta daisy and English daisy are common varieties.
- The best growing zones are 5-8.
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
18. Lilacs
Lilacs have been a well-liked landscaping element for generations thanks to their potent perfume and deep tones. In fact, the state of New Hampshire in New England has declared the lilac its official flower.
While the majority of these flowers are thought to symbolize confidence, distinct color variants have diverse connotations, such as purity (white), spirituality (purple), and tranquillity (blue).
When planting your lilac shrub, provide at least 10 feet of garden width because they need a lot of room.
- Name of the plant: Syringa vulgaris
- Meaning: Spirituality and assurance
- Blue, pink, and purple are common hues.
- Popular varieties include “Primrose” and “Yankee Doodle.”
- Best for Zones 5-7 of Growing
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
19. Alstromeria
The Swedish botanist Clas Alströmer first found these artistic-looking blossoms, known as the Peruvian lily, in 1753 while exploring the Andes. They come in a rainbow of vibrant, passionate colors.
Alstromerias are a common option for “Thinking of you” flowers because they have come to stand for friendliness and support. Choose a compost that is highly organic, and apply granulated fertilizer before planting.
- Alstroemeria is a plant.
- Meaning: Love and companionship
- The usual hues include white, pink, yellow, and red.
- Popular strains include “Adonis” and “Butterscotch.”
- Optimal Zones for Growing: 8–10
- Full morning sun is needed for lighting.
20. Sunflowers
Sun worshippers in ancient Peru and Native Americans valued sunflowers for their abundance and vibrant color since they are always eye-catching and upbeat.
Additionally, they deceived Spanish travelers in the 16th century into thinking the blossoms were made of genuine gold. Since then, a variety of things, including phony wealth, joy, and energy, have been associated with the sunflower.
Once they flower, support stakes and tomato feed can help your sunflowers grow beautifully.
- Helianthus annuus is the botanical name for
- Meaning: Life and happiness
- Common hues include gold, crimson, and orange.
- Popular varieties include “Helios Flame” and “Early Black Heart.”
- The best growing zones are 4–9.
- Light Requirements: 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight
21. Lavender
Lavender, which has been prized for millennia for its calming and antibacterial qualities, gets its name from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash.” It is a symbol of peace and tranquility.
The oils were frequently used by ancient Romans in their baths and bedding.
Strangely, Spanish versions don’t produce the blooms, which float butterfly-like from their cone-shaped spikes, but rather fragrant foliage.
Only once the earth is fully dry should you water these drought-tolerant flowers.
- Lavandula, the botanical name
- Meaning: Grace and tranquility
- The usual hues include violet, purple, pink, and red.
- Popular varieties include “Ballerina” and “Kew Red.”
- The best growing zones are 7-9.
- Lighting Needs: 6 hours of direct sunlight
Conclusion
Spanish Flowers need a moderate, sunny climate in addition to well-draining, organically rich soil in order to grow healthily and produce copious flowers.
Some Spanish flowers require a particular fertilizer for great development, so be sure to discover the best growing conditions for your favorite flower and watch it grow!