Unique Flowers in Crete | Flower Tour Crete | Elissos Experiences
In this article, we will present to you the most beautiful and unique Flowers that you can find in Crete. We love Flowers as you do and know that flower watching is a top interest for many of you, our unique Community members!
Find out which are the Unique Flowers in Crete that made it to our Top 7 List!
Flowers are universally known to bring people joy. Giving flowers to a loved one is a gesture of kindness and love. Smelling flowers is an act we all do unconsciously when a bouquet is handed to us. Taking pictures of flowers automatically makes our gallery colorful and filled with beautiful pictures. Therefore, it is safe to say that flowers make people happy.
Flowers make Travelers happy too! Crete is a Flower paradise for Flower lovers from all around the globe. The island offers over 2.000 species of Plants and Flowers, some 200 are endemic and unique in the world. The best period to visit Crete endemic and wild Flowers is Springtime, from mid–March to late May. You can find Crete endemic Flowers in various locations, varying from Archaeological Sites, to isolated and remote mountainous villages and mountain tops.
Crete is renowned for its wild bird and Flower watching opportunities. especially during Spring months each year. We at Elissos love creating unique and memorable experiences for You, therefore we have created here below a list with our most beloved Flowers growing in Crete. Exploring them and the parts of Crete suggested, will make you visit our beloved Crete island extremely special!
UNIQUE FLOWER #1: Glory of the Snow – Alpine Zones in Crete
Chionodoxa cretica, or commonly known as “Glory of the Snow” are particularly rare flowers that grow in the high alpine zones of Crete. The Chionodoxa flower is related to the genus Scilla, but with a couple of insignificant differences. Firstly, the petals of Chionodoxa are joined at the base as opposed to the free petals in Scilla. Secondly, the stamens of the Chionodoxa have flattened stalks, unlike the Scilla’s. How did these flowers get their unique name? Chionodoxa derives from the Greek words “Chioni” (snow) and “Doxa” (glory). The Chionodoxa cretica is usually blue and white and they bloom in late winter.
Wishing to take you there?! Elissos loves flower watching experiences and we want to share our expertise with you! Let us take You to Ida Mountains for this Flower Experience!
UNIQUE FLOWER #2: Purple Rockrose – Lasithi, East Crete
The Cretan Rockrose is part of the Cistus Creticus family and has lovely purple-pink flowers. This small-scaled shrub has wavy leaves and it needs a lot of sun and well-drained soil for it to grow. The resin in the leaves was traditionally used in herbal medicine and as a result as a perfume ingredient. The Rockrose blooms from early May to mid-July and even though their flowers only last one day, it does not stop producing flowers each week. Native to the island of Crete, the dazzling Rockrose adds a dash of vibrant color to a seaside garden surviving the salt spray, wind, and sand.
This Spring Contact us so we can design a Purple Rockrose experience just for you in East Crete!
UNIQUE FLOWER #3: Blue Lupine – Villages in West Crete
In Western Crete between the months of February and May, you can find the exquisitely tall Blue Lupine. This flowering plant belongs to the Fabaceae species. The Blue Lupine is not a rare flower as it grows in villages and olive groves, however, it is undeniably captivating! Its seeds are very bitter but edible. The locals in most villages put the seeds in a cloth sack in the water for around one week until the bitterness goes away so that they can enjoy this traditional snack. Apart from being gorgeous and providing edible seeds, the Blue Lupine also has another use. More specifically, with its properties, it improves the soil where it grows, helping soils becoming fertile.
The unique experiences we offer in West Crete in Spring, are great ways for you to stumble upon a Blue Lupine!
UNIQUE FLOWER #4: Sea Daffodil – Beaches in West Crete
The Sea Daffodil, also known as the Sand Lily, in Latin as Pancratium Maritimum, is a flower that Greek and International legislation protects due to its limited population. This elegant plant pierces through the dunes of Crete in the summer months of August, September, and October. On windless summer nights, the soft scent of the lily is sweet and subtle. In addition, the Sea Daffodil can only be cross-pollinated, usually by a hawk-moth called Agrius Convolvuli. However, this can only happen when the wind is under 2 m/s. Another very interesting fact about this wildflower is that the wind carries its seeds to faraway beaches where they will bloom after a few years. The Minoans were inspired by this white flower and drew it in the Palace of Knossos to show their admiration.
Choose one of our amazing Minoan Themed Tours and witness first-hand the Sea Daffodil painted on the ancient walls.
Didn’t find your unique Flowers in Crete yet?! There is so much more to reveal!
UNIQUE FLOWER #5: Crown Anemone – Omalos Plateau, West Crete
The Crown Anemone blooms in West Crete showing off its pretty blue, purple, and red colors. The Anemone Coronaria flowers in West Crete in Spring, when the weather is warm and the sun is shining on the mesmerizing colors of this majestic flower. Luckily enough in this part of Crete, the Crown Anemone blooms in thousands, a very unique sight!
Combine elements and locations you want to include in Your Own Unique Flower Experience and let’s search for the Crown Anemone in Spring together!
UNIQUE FLOWER #6: Oleander – North Coast of West Crete
The Nerium Oleander is a pink wildflower and its natural habitat is in West Crete. The stunning baby pink colors are the main characteristic of this delicate flower, making the scenery look even more dashing. Moreover, the Oleander blooms from April to July, with its peak being the month of June. This native plant of Crete frequently blooms in watercourses, even if there is no running water. For centuries people cultivate this truly magnificent flower. As a result, there are numerous variations of it with a wide range of shapes and colors. It is quite easy to spot the Oleander due to the fact that the Cretans choose them specifically to grow on the sides of national roads in order to prevent the goats from wandering off as they are highly poisonous to them.
The month of June is when the Oleander is at its peak decorating the gorges with a soft pink color. This is a well-known fact and tourists fly to Crete from all over the world to hike those famous gorges and they have a bonus of being surrounded by this captivating plant.
UNIQUE FLOWER 7#: Pink Butterfly Orchid – Spili, West Crete
The Pink Butterfly Orchid grows 15-40cm tall, makes it a sight for sore eyes. Standing majestically with its leaves and large pink striped flowers it will surely fascinate those who are lucky enough to witness them. Furthermore, the Pink Butterfly Orchid blooms in the months of April and May, two ideal months for travelers to visit Crete! Why? Because the summer temperatures are slowly arriving and the outdoor activities are opening up! Where can you find the Pink Butterfly Orchid? In limestone habitats where it grows on scrublands and open grassy spaces.
Spili, a village in the regional unit of Rethymnon, is a perfect location to uncover this enchanting flower. Rethymnon is a regional unit famous for its traditional villages and impressive natural landscapes.