Greece, summer, and what else? Wildflowers, of course! While spring is traditionally the season for admiring nature's vibrant colors, now is the time when the most resilient flowers that love the sun and heat fill the trails with incredible hues and aromas. Let's discover some! 🤩
🧐 The Usual Suspects
Of the 6,000 plants in Greece, about 2,000 are endemic, meaning they only grow here! 🤯 #FunFact: Crete, although 35 times smaller than Britain, has the same number of plant species: about 2,000! The first one worth noticing is the impressive thistle, with its dark purple flowers that reach up to 8 centimeters in diameter! The inula, with its small yellow flowers, is the queen of summer! You can find it everywhere, even in the most unlikely corners. It is one of the plants that have benefited from human activity. If you have trouble recognizing it, look next to a harvested wheat field. You will find it there, lush and full of life!
🌊 Colors on the Beach
Swimming, kayaking, and sunbathing are great, but don't forget to take a look at the sand! On the beach, you'll find the beautiful sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum), with its large, impressive, white, fragrant flowers, blooming from mid-July to late September. ✨ Hint: It's the same species we see in the frescoes of Santorini and Knossos! On the rocks, you'll see the impressive caper (Capparis spinosa) with its large white flowers.
🌿 Meadows with a Mediterranean Air
The happiest colors await you here! The bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) is the queen of summer, with its pink, purple, and orange flowers climbing everywhere. It's no coincidence that it's the "star" of Greece, as we often find it adorning postcards and movies. The oleander (Nerium oleander), with its pink, white, or red flowers, will give you the sweetest scent. On the islands, look for the tree mallow, a tall plant with large flowers that lasts all summer. 💪
⛰️ Magic in the Mountains
Get ready for a different experience! In the mountains of Crete, you will find the rare Cretan ebony (Ebenus cretica) with its pink flowers. Delicate wild orchids are also hidden there, enchanting you with their beauty. 🌸
🍂 Surprises at the End of Summer
When the sun starts to get a little weaker, the sea squill (Urginea maritima) makes its appearance with its small white flowers. 🌼
💡 Tips for Hiking with Wildflowers
Nature's little treasures are waiting for you to discover them!