European National Flowers: The COMPLETE List

There’s no doubt that every country in Europe is famous for something – they have their own national symbols like flags, dishes, alcoholic beverages, animals, sports etc. But have you ever thought about the national flowers of European countries?

Every country on the Old Continent has its own floral emblem that represents their unique identity. Some of these symbols are related to historical, cultural and religious events dating back centuries and even millennia ago. Others are not officially declared as such by their respective governments but are well known to have a special place in the hearts of their people.

Go ahead and check out each one of the national flowers in Europe, along with facts on why a particular plant is chosen to represent a state.

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Albania You can find red and black Poppy everywhere in this country. The plant is valued for its beauty, medicinal superpowers and seeds used in cooking and baking.

Andorra Also known as the poet’s narcissus or the pheasant’s eye. The petals represent the parishes of the Principality, and the two coloured crown in the centre represents the two co-princes of Andorra.

Austria Land of mountains, land by river” is the National Anthem of Austria. A mountainy country where the otherwise rare beauty of the Edelweiss is relatively common.

Belarus Belarus is full of large fields of flax, with the harvest mainly used for the food and medicinal industries.

Belgium The red poppy is connected with remembrance of those who have died in war times.

Bosnia and Herzegovina The flower is native for Bosnia and it is used in the coat of arms of the country.

Bulgaria Bulgaria is the biggest rose oil producer in the world.

Croatia In Croatian, the name of this flower is perunika, coming from the name of the Slavic god Perun. Perun is the highest god in the Slavic mythology, an overlord of thunder and lightning. Hence the belief that perunika grows on the ground that is struck by lighting.

Cyprus Arguably the most important flower in the Cyprus flora due to its endemic rarity.

Czech Republic Different urban legends proclaim the rose as a symbol of war, love, beauty and politics.

Denmark Denmark doesn’t have an official national flower. However, Marguerite Daisy is found and cultivated in excessive amounts in Denmark, is the favourite flower of the queen and hence, it’s often mentioned as a national symbol.

England The emblematic War of the Roses between the Royal house of Lancaster (red rose sigil) and the Royal house of York (white rose sigil), marked the adoption of the flower as a national symbol.

Estonia It predominantly grows on rye fields, connecting a strong association with bread in the minds of the folk. Cornflower was elected as a national symbol after a public contest back in 1968.

Finland Lily-of-the-valley was chosen as a Finnish national flower as its beauty and sweet scent are well-recognised by the Finns. It can also be easily found at large around the country.

France The fleur-de-lis is present in the country’s coat of arms and national emblem. The iris is a royal symbol since the 1300’s. It depicts light, life and perfection.

Germany Also known as cyani flower, the cornflower was adopted as a national symbol of Germany in the 1800’s. Its colour is no coincidence – Prussian blue. What’s more, unmarried people at the time showed that they are single by wearing the flower on their chest.

Greece The fresh or dried flower spikes are used in floral arrangements throughout the country.

Hungary During the Ottoman conquest, the tulip was brought in the country and through it, to other parts of Europe. It was the Sultan’s favourite and it remained a national symbol of Hungary since then.

Iceland It can be commonly found in Iceland as it grows in heathers and gravely soils.

Ireland As one of the most well-known national flower symbols, the Shamrock’s legend tells that St. Patrick of Ireland had used it to illustrate the Doctrine of the Trinity – The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Italy With violet and rose, as other highly popular flowers in the country, Italy’s lily is associated with religion and purity.

Latvia Daisies are a very popular flower in Latvia and are often used in flower arrangements or given as gifts. No doubt they are chosen as one of the national symbols of the country.

Liechtenstein One of the flowers, associated with happiness and joyful people – hence its yellow colouring.

Lithuania Rue symbolizes virginity and plays an important role in wedding ceremonies in Lithuania. The bride usually wears a wreath of rue.

Luxembourg A royal flower for an affluent country, the Rose has been a symbol of Luxembourg for many years.

Macedonia The poppy can be found on the coat of arms of the country and is widely spread around the fields.

Malta An endemic plant to Malta, and a national flower since 1973.

Monaco The small but fair country of Monaco chose Carnations – flowers that represent admiration, deep love and affection.

Montenegro Associated with spring festivities, Mimosa grew freely everywhere around Montenegro for the past couple of centuries. The blossoming flower marks the beginning of the spring season.

Netherlands In the 16th and 17th century the Netherlands grew the tulips in such large numbers that they quickly became world famous for the flowers.

Norway The flower grows well in rough conditions, and can be found even in rock cracks, too. From it, the heather honey is made – it’s incredibly helpful for the urinary system.

Poland During and after World War I, fields that had been disturbed by battle, bloomed with Corn Poppies, and the flower has become a symbol of that war.

Portugal A flower that represents refinement, grace and elegance, with a certain note of royalty.

Romania One of the most widespread flowers in the country, the dog rose has many applications in health and beverage industries.

Russia Chamomile is one of the most widespread flowers in Russia. It’s everyone’s favourite and used in preparation of herbal tea, treating conditions such as stress and insomnia.

San Marino It’s a plant of lasting feelings and love – you will surely feel the same way towards San Marino once you visit this beautiful country.

Scotland If there’s a first recorded national flower, then the Scottish Thistle is close to winning the race. It’s also one of the easiest to recognise national symbols of the country.

Serbia The country adopted the plum as their national plant symbol – it’s fruits and produce are of utmost important to the Serbian culture, particularly for their national drink, Šljivovica.

Slovakia Many countries have chosen the rose as their national flower, and Slovakia follows suit.

Slovenia The national flower of Slovenia is the red carnation. The flower, as a whole, is widely spread and grown by Slovenians.

Spain The red carnation is also a national symbol of Spain. It’s connected with Spanish traditions, with people holding the stem between their’s teeth as a sign of passion, desire and caprice.

Sweden The national flower of Sweden – the Twin Flower or Linnaea is named after Carl Linnaeus – the scientist who gave the roots to taxonomy.

Switzerland Unofficially, the Edelweiss is considered to be the national flower symbol of Switzerland. It’s associated with Alpinists and its colour and beauty are often connected with the Alps.

Turkey Lots of national flowers are associated with their respective country’s history. Tulips and Turkey don’t make an exception – the “Tulip Era” between 1718-1730 is an important historical period – something like a golden age for the country, with peace and enjoyment for the folk, the tulips took an intricate part of their life, woven in different clothing and carpets.

Ukraine There’s a lot of symbolism connected with the sunflower in Ukraine’s history and traditions. One of the symbols of fertility, solar power, vigour of life and energy.

Vatican City (Holy See) Needless to say, Vatican’s national flower is associated with one of the largest of scale Christian holidays – Easter. The Easter Lilly is a symbol of the virtues of the holiday – renewal, life and purity. What’s more, the shape of the flower reminds visually of Jesus’s heralding who comes back to Jerusalem.

Wales The daffodil was chosen as a national flower of Wales not only because of its beauty, but also because it blooms on St. David’s day, the feast day of the Wales’ patron – on 1st of March.

Sources:

https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/national-flowers

https://www.buzzle.com/articles/a-complete-list-of-national-flowers-by-country.html#europe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floral_emblem

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