The Best Spring Flowers From Around The World

Every year, as we emerge from a period of hibernation (whether you live in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere), spring brings promise of warmth and the ever-longing beauty of flourishing nature. Spring travellers are often enthralled by nature, exploring the world in search of flowers, forests, fields and fun because it provides the opportunity to fully appreciate our surroundings. One of the best ways to do this, is by visiting the best spring flowers from around the world. From the UK to Australia and Morocco to Hawaii, there is are so many blooms to adore.

The beauty of our planet never ceases to amaze me, and although I don’t know much about flora and fauna, merely staring at what the Earth has to offer is enough to fill me with joy. So, if you are anything like me, here is a list of some of the best floral spots to explore around the world, to make springtime a year round experience.

14 Best Spring Flowers From Around The World

Poppies, California, USA

Some may be surprised to find that in The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, which spans 1745 acres within the Mojave Desert, concentrations of California’s official flower – the orange fluorescent California poppy – bloom in glory and bring joy to hikers of the region throughout spring.

Best Time To Visit: mid February to mid May

Bluebells, U.K.

The U.K. is home to almost half of the world’s bluebells, which means come springtime, the forests and woodlands are blue washed by these lovely flowers. Bluebells are a protected species, so don’t be tempted to pick them and take them home, but definitely be ready to fall in love with endless fields dominated by their beauty.

Alongside the bluebells, you may also be blessed by stunning bloom of magnolias and camellias because spring across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a magical time.

Best Time To Visit: late March to early May

Cherry Blossoms, Japan 

While cherry blossoms can be seen in various flower fields around the world, no one can deny the most iconic place to admire them is in The Land of The Rising Sun. Travellers flock to Japan to witness one of nature’s great spectacles, the cherry blossom season, beginning in Kumamoto, through Osaka Castle Park, and then appearing further north in Tokyo’s exquisite Ueno Park, where 8800 cherry trees can be found. However, the best of the cherry blossom season is experienced on Yoshino Mountain, as the slopes turn into a carpet of 30000 blossoming cherry trees. In Kyoto, the blossoms are lit by lanterns at night, creating an entirely unique scene.

However I recognise not everyone can make it to Japan, so despite being a Japanese speciality, another great place to see cherry blossoms bloom is around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. These trees were a gift from Tokyo to the United States in 1912. 

Best Time To Visit: late March to mid April

Roses, Morocco 

The Valley of Roses is a magnificent place about six hours south of Marrakesh and is a paradise for travellers searching for the best spring flowers from around the world in all its African glory. Hikers can watch rosebuds being picked and dried for essential oils, potpourri, and rosewater and in May when the roses are harvested, participate in The Festival of Roses, in the town of Kelaat M’gouna.

Best Time To Visit: April and to mid May

Poppies, Provence, France

While most people look for the lavender in Provence during the summer, it is also worth checking out the flower meadows for poppies during spring. With fewer crowds and milder weather, the experience is far more a pleasant and you can also end your day of flower-gazing with a farm-to-table meal and a glass of French wine. 

Best Time To Visit: April and May

Rhododendrons, Himalayas, Nepal

Hike through the Annapurna mountain range to come across these beautiful flowers that appear when the rhododendron forest is in full bloom along the mountainside. The hike is known as the Nepal Rhododendron Trek or the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek.

Best Time To Visit: April and May

Tulips, the Netherlands

The Netherlands is well known for is massive flower fields offering stunning sights of tulips, roses, and so much more. The Keukenhof Gardens and Bollenstreek route near Amsterdam offer some of the best opportunities to be up close and personal with tulips in almost every colour of the rainbow. 

Best Time To Visit: April to mid May

Marigold Fields, Bali, Indonesia

If you drive between Kintamani and Bedugul, you will come across the vibrant yellow and orange hues of marigolds growing in fields alongside the roads, creating gorgeous views you have never seen before.  

Best Time To Visit: mid June to mid August

Sunflowers, Tuscany, Italy

Although Tuscany is known for being a haven for vineyards, this beautiful region in Italy is also home to some of the best sunflower fields in the world – particularly the sunflower fields of the Orcia and Era valleys. 

Best Time To Visit: July to mid August

Tulips, New South Wales, Australia

In the southern highlands of New South Wales, the bloom of tulips has been dubbed “Tulip Time” because around 75000 tulips grow in various colours, providing stunning displays and incredible photo opportunities. The annual tulip festival at Corbett Gardens happens between September and October.

Best Time To Visit: mid September to November

Jacaranda, South Africa

Although Jacaranda trees are not be indigenous to the country (the species was introduced from Brazil in the 1800s), these plants have become synonymous with the cities of Pretoria and Johannesburg. Every year from late September to mid-November, the trees bloom in various shades of purple, draping their surrounding in incredible beauty.

Best Time To Visit: mid September to November

Roses, Naivasha and Nanyuki, Kenya

Chances are that if you live in Europe, the roses you buy are from Kenya. The nation is the largest exporter of flowers to the E.U., meaning your pretty petals have crossed the equator and oceans to arrive at your door. If you ever find yourself in Kenya, visit the independent rose farms scattered across Naivasha and Nanyuki (about 3 hours from Nairobi), where the floral scents fill the air and roses bloom in red and pink to yellow, orange and white hues. 

Best Time To Visit: December and January

Pua Kala, Hawaii

Kauai’s Lawa’i Valley is one of the wettest places on earth, so there is always something flowering. Still, the McBryde Garden Biodiversity Trail is worth checking out in spring. It condenses the entire 450-million-year history of plant evolution in this part of the world into a 10-minute hike where you can witness the pua kala flourish alongside tropical fruit orchards and flaming red coral trees.

Best Time To Visit: all year round

Honorable Mention: Atacama Desert, Chile

Every few years, a natural phenomenon takes place in the Atacama Desert: a floral bloom in the driest area of the world. This unusual occurrence happens when rainfall has been more intense than usual, and among the cracks, about 200 species of endemic flowers emerge, such as sighs, dondiegos and lilies.

Best Time To Visit: September to November