30 Beautiful Native Spanish Flowers to Admire (2024)

Spain is a country known for the majestic color and vibrancy of its culture. Thankfully, this also extends to Spain’s native flowers and plants. This enchanting Mediterranean country is known for its carnations, lavender shrubs, and Spanish bluebells. In this article, I’ll explore 30 native Spanish flowers.

Spain Native Range and Growing Zones

Depending on the region, Spain’s Mediterranean climate broadly corresponds to USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 12. Most of mainland Spain falls within Zones 8 to 10. However, the Canary Islands correspond to Zones 8 to 12.

Spain offers a diverse range of habitats. Northern Spain has cooler highland and forest ecosystems. Other habitats across the country include semi-arid grasslands, heathlands, and even deserts.

How Are Spain’s Native Flowers Defined?

In Spain, native flowers are species that grew wild throughout the country before human intervention. However, humans have since introduced several non-native species. Some of these non-native plants are seen as invasive.

30 Beautiful Native Spanish Flowers

1) Andalusian Bellflower

Also known as Lusitanian bellflowers, Andalusian bellflowers are beautiful herbaceous annuals. They come from the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). These bellflowers are native throughout northwestern Spain and most parts of Portugal.

Campanula lusitanica grows in compact clumps. During the summer, these native Spanish flowers produce lots of light purple bell-shaped blooms with five petals. The petals are curved backward to reveal elegant white stamens.

2) Blue Pimpernel

Blue pimpernels are dramatic, low-growing herbaceous perennials from the primrose family (Primulaceae). Interestingly, these pimpernels produce different flower colors depending on their habitat. Native Spanish specimens have striking dark blue flowers, while specimens growing in Italy and Morocco have orange flowers.

Blue pimpernels need full sun and thrive in subtropical climates. These Spanish flowers also have a spreading habit and whorls of elliptical evergreen leaves.

3) Canary Island Foxglove

Digitalis canariensis plants are large shrubs that are endemic to the Canary Islands. These perennials have elliptical evergreen leaves arranged in spirals on the stems. As these foxgloves grow and age, the stems gradually become woody.

Canary Island foxgloves belong to the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). From spring until fall, these foxgloves produce dramatic, densely packed spikes of reddish-orange bell-shaped flowers.

4) Cantabrian Gentian

The Cantabrian gentian is a genetic variation of the great yellow gentian. This unique population is endemic to the Cantabrian Mountains in Leon, one of Spain’s northwestern provinces. These flowers are officially known as Gentiana lutea var. aurantiaca.

Cantabrian gentians have elliptical to lanceolate leaves. From summer until fall, these herbaceous perennials have dense whorls of tubular bright yellow flowers.

5) Carnation

Carnations are synonymous with Spain, especially red varieties. That’s because the carnation is Spain’s national flower. Spain is also one of the world’s most prolific producers and exporters of carnations.

Also known as clove pinks, carnations are herbaceous perennials native throughout Mediterranean Europe. These native Spanish flowers are known for their elegantly frilled edges. Carnations are common Mother’s Day flowers as well as one of the two January birth flowers.

6) Common Lavender

Common lavender shrubs are some of the most popular Mediterranean plants. These fragrant perennial shrubs are native to France, Italy, and Spain. Common lavender belongs to the mint or sage family (Lamiaceae).

Lavandula angustifolia has a bushy habit and leafless upright stems. During the summer, these aromatic shrubs produce spikes of tiny pinkish-purple flowers. The flowers can be dried or used to make products like essential oils and herbal teas.

7) Crocus nevadensis

Spain is one of the world’s leading producers of saffron from Crocus sativus flowers. However, Spain also has its own native crocus species; Crocus nevadensis. This species is native to eastern and southeastern areas of Spain and parts of North Africa.

Crocus nevadensis flowers emerge from underground bulbs during late winter and early spring. These large, beautiful blooms have six white to pale purple petals with dark veins and bright yellow stamens.

8) Evergreen Honeysuckle

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Like most honeysuckles, the evergreen honeysuckle is a climbing plant with fragrant flowers. These evergreen perennials belong to the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Evergreen honeysuckles are native throughout Mediterranean Europe and North Africa.

Evergreen honeysuckles produce clusters of strongly scented white flowers. These climbers also have simple dark green leaves and red fleshy berries. This honeysuckle species also works well as a ground cover plant.

9) Iberian Peony

Iberian peonies are herbaceous perennials from the Paeoniaceae family. They are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, which covers mainland Spain and Portugal. Iberian peonies are usually found in western Spain.

These alluring native Spanish peonies have gorgeous rose-pink cup-shaped flowers with clusters of yellow stamens. Each stem produces a single flower that can be almost five inches wide. These peonies are also extremely fragrant.

10) Laurel-leaf Cistus

The Laurel-leaf cistus is a stunning evergreen shrub from the rock rose family (Cistaceae). This cistus species is native to Mediterranean Europe and prefers dry, warm climates in Spain, Portugal, and France.

These cistus shrubs are named after their glossy dark green laurel-like leaves. Laurel-leaf cistus shrubs also have red bark that peels off easily. From late spring to early summer, these plants produce white cup-shaped flowers with yellow stamens.

11) Mediterranean Buckthorn

Rhamnus alaternus is an attractive ornamental shrub that’s ideal for Mediterranean gardens. Mediterranean buckthorn is native to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Mediterranean buckthorn has reddish-brown bark and grows up to 16.5 feet tall. The evergreen lanceolate or oval-shaped leaves are glossy and leathery. Clusters of tiny yellowish-green flowers appear from February until April and produce a strong fragrance.

12) Mediterranean Sea Holly

Mediterranean sea holly is a popular summer ornamental for dry gardens or Mediterranean borders. Once established, these plants are extremely drought-tolerant. They thrive in Zones 4 to 9.

These herbaceous perennials have dark green deeply lobed leaves decorated with silvery veins. During the summer, sea hollies display clusters of tiny blue or green flowers surrounded by spiky silvery-gray bracts.

13) Mediterranean Spurge

Like many Euphorbia species, Mediterranean spurge provides year-round interest thanks to its evergreen leaves. The leaves are bluish-green and narrow. During spring and summer, Mediterranean spurges have rounded clusters of yellowish-green flowers.

Mediterranean spurge thrives during dry, mild summers, but can struggle in hotter temperatures and humid climates. These plants also produce a milky sap, so wear gloves while handling them.

14) Montpellier Cistus

Montpellier cistus shrubs are native to the western Mediterranean and parts of North Africa. These evergreen shrubs thrive in forests, woodlands, and scrublands. Montpellier cistus can also be grown in full sun in Zones 7 to 9.

These lovely cistus shrubs have hairy or sticky lance-shaped leaves. During the summer, Montpellier cistus plants have several panicles of white cup-shaped flowers with five petals.

15) Pale Butterwort

Pale butterworts are carnivorous plants that eat ants, small flies, and moths. These butterworts are found across western Europe and North Africa. They are also some of the easiest carnivorous plants to grow.

Pinguicula lusitanica plants have rosettes of fleshy pale green leaves with reddish veins. From summer until fall, pale butterworts also have clusters of small pink trumpet-shaped flowers.

16) Paperwhite Narcissus

Few flowers are as elegant as the paperwhite Narcissus. They are among the first daffodils to bloom, flowering from late winter until spring. These daffodils are native to the Mediterranean.

Paperwhite Narcissus have bluish-green strap-like leaves. They also have rounded clusters of pure white flowers with six petals and pale yellow centers. I also love that these native Spanish flowers have a strong, peppery fragrance.

17) Pyrenean Flax

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Pyrenean flax is a beautiful wildflower that’s native to Spain, Italy, and France. These low-growing herbaceous perennials inhabit forests and meadows in the Pyrenees.

Linum suffruticosum plants have long lanceolate leaves. The white flowers have five petals and pinkish-purple centers. Pyrenean flax usually blooms from May to July. These plants are known as lino blanco in Spanish.

18) Pyrenean Lily

Pyrenean lilies are dramatic herbaceous perennials with a potent fragrance. The showy bright yellow flowers have six severely recurved petals with reddish-brown speckles. These flowers produce a musky odor.

Pyrenean lilies also have lance-shaped bright green leaves. These lilies are native throughout much of Southern Europe and the Caucasus. As their name suggests, Pyrenean lilies thrive in the Pyrenees Mountains.

19) Pyrenean Squill

Pyrenean squill flowers bring a wonderful pop of color to spring borders. These herbaceous perennials belong to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). They are native to northern Spain and parts of France.

Scilla lilio-hyacinthus grows in clumps of large, glossy lanceolate leaves. During late spring, these squills produce densely packed racemes of blue or purple star-shaped flowers with six petals.

20) Rampion

Rampions are attractive, versatile bellflowers that are native throughout Eurasia and North Africa. Rampions have lanceolate leaves and clusters of light purple bell-shaped flowers. These flowers emerge during the summer.

Rampion leaves and roots are edible and were once cultivated throughout Europe. The leaves are similar to spinach leaves. Interestingly, the Brothers Grimm named their Rapunzel character after these herbaceous biennials.

21) Sea Lavender

Sea lavenders are popular herbaceous perennials or shrubs that grow around the world. Some species are native to Spain and other parts of Southern Europe. Sea lavenders can also be grown as annuals.

Limonium plants have simple leaves and clusters of small, papery blue, pink, purple, or white flowers. As their name suggests, sea lavenders can tolerate salty soils in coastal areas.

22) Silver Ragwort

Silver ragwort is also known as dusty miller. These small evergreen shrubs are members of the aster or daisy family (Asteraceae). Silver ragwort is native throughout the Mediterranean.

Jacobaea maritima plants have woolly silvery-gray stems and stiff, pinnate leaves. Silver ragworts also produce flat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers. These native Spanish plants can tolerate dry, hot conditions.

23) Spanish Bluebell

Spanish bluebells are versatile bulbous perennials that bloom during the spring. Although native to Spain and Portugal, they can quickly naturalize in new areas. However, the flowers are less fragrant than other bluebell species.

These bluebells have clumps of glossy lance-shaped leaves. During the spring, stalks of blue, pink, or white bell-shaped flowers appear. Spanish bluebells work best in shady spring borders.

24) Spanish Broom

In my opinion, Spanish broom is a great choice for adding color and structure to Mediterranean gardens. These deciduous shrubs come from the legume family (Fabaceae). Spanish brooms thrive in sandy soils.

Spanish brooms have bright yellow pea-like flowers that emerge from grayish-green, semi-succulent stems. The strongly scented flowers are followed by black seeds that explode once mature. This propels the seeds to new areas.

25) Spanish Catchfly

The Spanish catchfly is a species of campion from the carnation family. These wildflowers are native throughout Europe and the Caucasus.

Spanish catchfly plants are perennials with basal rosettes of hairy spoon-shaped leaves. These campions also have clusters of delicate white flowers. Spanish catchfly flowers can attract different types of pollinating insects by varying their scent.

26) Spanish Heath

Spanish heath is an alluring member of the heather family (Ericaceae). These evergreen shrubs are native to Spain, Portugal, and parts of southern France. However, due to its large quantities of seeds, Spanish heath can be invasive.

Spanish heath has woody, hairy branches and needle-like leaves. From late winter until spring, these heathers produce densely packed pyramidal clusters of tiny bell-shaped white flowers.

27) Spanish Iris

The Spanish iris is a truly stunning member of the Iridaceae family. These irises have large blue, purple, white, or yellow flowers with red and yellow lips. Spanish irises also have clumps of linear grayish-green leaves.

Spanish irises are native to Mediterranean Europe and North Africa. Like most irises, I find that they thrive best in full sun. However, they can also be grown in cooler areas.

28) Spanish Lavender

The Spanish lavender is an extremely popular native Spanish shrub. Spanish lavender is one of the first Lavandula species to bloom, beginning as early as mid-spring. The flowers can be used to produce essential oils.

Lavandula stoechas is a compact shrub with grayish-green leaves. The dark purple flower spikes are topped with a crown of pink or purple papery bracts.

29) Spanish Oyster Thistle

Spanish oyster thistles are some of Spain’s most widespread native wildflowers. These herbaceous biennials or perennials also grow across France and southern Europe. Spanish oyster thistles belong to the aster family.

Scolymus hispanicus has upright stems and thistle-like leaves covered in spines. During the spring, these thistles have bright yellow flowers. The leaves are regularly harvested in Spain and added to soups or scrambled eggs.

30) Spanish Poppy

One of Spain’s most charismatic wildflowers is the Spanish poppy. This Papaver species is a perennial that also grows in Morocco. Spanish poppies add a splash of summer color to garden borders or rock gardens.

Spanish poppies have rosettes of green leaves with prominent lobes. The large orange flowers have delicate, papery petals. Spanish poppies are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun.

Wrapping Up

Spain’s native flowers provide a rich tapestry of color and character. Many of these species are ideal for Mediterranean gardens. Some of Spain’s most popular native flowers include the Mediterranean sea holly, Spanish broom, and Spanish lavender. Red carnations, which are Spain’s national flowers, are also popular. Most native Spanish flowers will suit gardens with dry, mild climates in Zones 8 to 10.