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THE BEST PLACES, WHEN AND WHERE TO SEE FLOWERS IN BLOOM

The Netherlands, New Zealand, The USA, Japan, South Africa, Belgium, Morocco, Germany

As selected by the ‘Travel and Home’ team.

Best Spots for Spring Flowers Daffodils Keukenhof Netherlands travel and home min
When And Where to See Flowers In Full Bloom Netherlands New Zealand USA Japan South Africa Belgium Morocco Germany travel and home min

One of life’s biggest joys is to see a field of flowers in full bloom. It is then when you want to stop whatever you’re doing and just breathe in the flower power. Follow the flowers, grab your camera or mobile phone and capture the moment. Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. And today we follow the flowers in their abundance.

In no specific order, we are happy to share the first, part one, in the series of “Follow the Flowers” about when and where you can catch them in full bloom.

Next time a sunrise steals your breath, or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way.

Where to See Spring Flowers in the USA

Bluebonnets in Texas

Bluebonnets Texas flowers in bloom
Texas

Where: Central Texas is home to large fields of bluebonnets (Lupinus), also known as lupins or lupines in other countries. Georgetown, Fredericksburg, Austin, and Washington County are completely covered and are absolutely beautiful! Click here for more information about Bluebonnet trails in Texas.

When: From mid-March to mid-April. 

Cherry blossoms in Washington DC USA travel and home min

The best places to see Cherry Blossoms 

Where in the USA: Most definitely in Philadelphia. Also, find approximately 3,000 cherry trees ringing the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C.  If you’d like to avoid the crowds, take a kayak or pedalo across the basin instead of joining the crowds at the Tidal Basin.

When in the USA: From the end of March to May, with early April being a good bet.

Blooming Daffodils in The Netherlands

Daffodils in bloom at Keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands travel and home

Where:  If you find yourself in the Netherlands, visit one of the world’s largest gardens, namely Keukenhof Gardens

When: Daffodils, or narcissi, are the first sign that winter is in the past and summer is on its merry way. They usually bloom at their peak in April.

Suggested Read:  Beautiful Keukenhof And The Best Flower Markets

Below: Travel-inspired home decor after taking in the generous spread of yellow daffodils.

Daffodils inspired yellow home decor travel inspirations travel and home min

Bluebonnets (Lupins) in New Zealand

Lupins New Zealand flowers in bloom
Lupins in New Zealand.
Bluebonnets in bloom at Lake Tekapo New Zealand travel and home min
Lake Tekapo

Where:  New Zealand is another amazing destination to admire nature’s works of art. The lakeside of South Island is transformed into hues of pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Some of the best places to photograph are Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Twizel, and Lake Taupo. Go November to February.

When: From mid-March to mid-April. 

Visit the Almond Blossom Festival in Morocco

The Old Roman ruins in Tafraoute is where Moroccans celebrate prosperity

Almond trees in full blossom in the Ounila Valley Morocco flowers in bloom

Where: Tafraoute, Morocco’s largest producer of almonds, is known as a quiet, picturesque, and quaint destination.  However, the town comes alive in spring with blossoming almond trees and the vibrant celebration of the Almond Blossom Festival.

When: February.

Read More:

Blue Bells in Belgium

Blue bells Belgium flowers in bloom

Where: Hallerbos (the blue forest), between Zenne and Zoniën, transforms into a magical landscape, covered with a purple flower carpet. Click here for hiking maps and info about this year’s flowering season.

When: Usually during the second half of April, subject to the weather conditions. 

Alternatively, if you’re in the UK you should make your way to Bates Green Farm Tye Hill Road Arlington, Polegate East Sussex. Do the Arlington Bluebell Walk which comes with an entrance fee. Click on visitor information for more info.

South Africa's floral display

When and where to see proteas in bloom

Beautiful Proteas of South Africa

The Protea is South Africa’s national flower.

Where: From the Cape to Clanwilliam, especially the Overberg Region (Hermanus, and Kleinmond).

When: Generally, the Protea flowers anytime from July to October. However, you have a great chance to find some late bloomers until early next year.

Canola carpets in the Overberg

Canola fields in bloom on the Garden Route in South Africa travel and home min

Where: Especially in the Overberg region on your way to L’Agulhas, or on the beautiful Garden Route.

When: Just before the official start of spring, you’ll also enjoy the sight of canola blooms during August across the countryside. 

Cosmos flowers flourishing everywhere

Drakensberg Cosmos flowers April Hiking Best hikes trails South Africa min

You’ll find plenty of these happy flowers in South Africa. 

Where: They grow freely along, especially the roads of the Free State and Gauteng provinces. Without sowing they come up year after year. Yet another magnificent wonder of nature. 

When: They make quite a splash in early autumn and summer in an assortment of colors – white, pink, cerise, and red – no yellow in South Africa.

Origin: “Cosmos is native to Mexico and found across South America. The plants are now widespread in South Africa, brought here in contaminated horse feed imported from Argentina during the South African (Anglo-Boer) War of 1899 to 1902. (Graeme Williams, Media Club South Africa)

Japan's Floral Charm

Tokyo is the paradise of all cherry blossoms

japan cherry blossoms

Countries: Japan has two national flowers, namely the cherry blossom and the chrysanthemum. However, cherry blossoms are more commonly associated with Japan.

When in Tokyo: Peak blooming is around the end of March.

Where in Tokyo: 

  • Mount Yoshino, 吉野山,  Yoshinoyama
  • Asukayama Park, 飛鳥山公園 
  • Chidorigafuchi and Kitanomaru Park 
  • Inokashira Park, 井の頭公園 
  • Kasai Rinkai Park, 葛西臨海公園 
  • Meguro River, 目黒川 
  • Sumida Park,  隅田公園 
  • Ueno Park, 上野公園 
  • Yanaka Cemetery, 谷中霊園 

Beautiful Wisteria trees

Wisteria Japan flowers in bloom

Where: Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi, around 80 miles north of Tokyo, has about 350 Wisterias. One of them is 150 years old with an 80 m spread. In the Kyushu region, you’ll find a 100 m wisteria tunnel at Kawachi Fuji-en Gardens. They have a smaller collection of wisteria trees, namely 150, but it is well worth a visit.

When: Mid-April to early May. 

Floral splendor in Germany

When and where in Düsseldorf for a floral splendor

I love meandering in beautiful gardens, and at Schloss Benrath I can recharge again.

Schloss Benrath in Dusseldorf Germany is a flower splendor in spring and summer where to see flowers in spring and summer travel and home

The beautiful castle in Düsseldorf is Schloss Benrath and it is a great family outing for both young and old. They hold classes, tours, readings, and events. It is a wonderful site for concerts, picture shoots, weddings, parties, and more. Furthermore, they also house the Natural History Museum. The castle park is open to the public and is especially beautiful in the spring and summer.

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