15 Fun Facts About Spring Flowers That Will Make You Smile

Spring is finally here! The weather is warming up, the days are getting longer, and the landscapes are exploding with color as all the beautiful spring flowers start to bloom. Few things represent the new season better than the sight of tulips, daffodils, and other vibrant blooms.

Flowers have a truly magical quality about them Their bright colors, lovely scents, and delicate petals simply make people happy. And after the long, cold winter, we are all ready for some cheer and positivity!

To get you into the spirit of spring, we gathered some fun facts about common spring flowers. We hope learning a bit more about these botanical beauties will make you smile and appreciate their beauty even more!

1. The Most Expensive Tulip Once Cost 10 Times the Average Yearly Wage

Tulips hold a special place in the Netherlands’ history and culture. Back in the 1600s, a tulip variation called Semper Augustus became so prized that people were willing to pay astronomical prices for just one bulb. At the height of “Tulip Mania”, a single Semper Augustus bulb sold for the same price as what a craftsman would typically earn in 10 years!

While tulip bulbs are (thankfully!) much more affordable today, the Netherlands still celebrates its tulip heritage with an annual tulip festival

2. Hyacinths Are Named After a Character From Greek Mythology

The fragrant, bell-shaped blooms we know as hyacinths received their name from the myth of Hyacinthus. According to legend, Hyacinthus was a beautiful young man who caught the eye of the god Apollo. However, their courtship ended in tragedy when Apollo accidentally killed Hyacinthus while teaching him how to throw the discus. The god created the flower to honor his fallen lover.

3. Irises Were Seen as Symbols of Wisdom in Ancient Egypt

With their delicate, orchid-like blooms, irises have long inspired people. In ancient Egypt, the three petals were thought to represent faith, valor, and wisdom.

The iris’s name also has symbolic roots, as it comes from the Greek word for rainbow. This refers to the flower’s wide range of vibrant colors.

4. Eating Daisy Petals Can Make Cakes and Salads Extra Beautiful

Daisies just scream springtime! But did you know the classic white and yellow flowers are more than just pretty to look at? Daisies are edible, making them perfect for garnishing desserts, salads, and drinks.

So feel free to get creative and add some floral flair to your meals by sprinkling daisy petals on top! Just be sure to use flowers that have not been sprayed with pesticides.

5. The Daffodil is the National Flower of Wales

With its bright yellow or white petals and signature trumpet shape, the daffodil is one of the ultimate symbols of spring.

While daffodils grow wild across much of Europe, they have a special place in Welsh culture. The daffodil became Wales’ national flower in the 19th century, when Welsh immigrants flooded the fields and hillsides with the blossoms.

6. Cherry Blossoms Only Last a Week or Two Each Year

Few flowers announce spring’s arrival in Japan more dramatically than cherry blossoms. But the breathtaking displays of pink and white blooms are incredibly short-lived. The delicate flowers only last about a week or two before falling from the trees!

Because of their transient nature, cherry blossoms are deeply symbolic in Japanese culture. They serve as a reminder to embrace beauty while you can.

7. The Tulip’s Name Comes From the Persian Word for Turban

When tulips originally became popular in Persia in the 10th century, people thought the cup-like blooms resembled turbans. So they dubbed the flowers “tulipan”, which translated to turban in Persian.

The name stuck even after the Ottoman Empire spread tulips into Europe centuries later. And now the beloved flowers are simply known as tulips around the world!

8. Numerous Flower Festivals Celebrate the Arrival of Spring

It’s no surprise that cultures worldwide honor spring’s floral bounty with special festivals and events. For example, the Netherlands has its tulip festival, while Japan celebrates hanami, the traditional custom of viewing cherry blossoms.

In the us, cities like San Francisco, Vancouver, and Washington DC all host annual cherry blossom festivals. And Portland, Oregon is famous for its springtime Rose Festival. Any of these events let you welcome spring in serious flower power style!

9. The Mānuka Tree Produces Tea Tree Oil

While tea tree oil has many therapeutic uses, it actually comes from a plant that’s native to Australia and New Zealand. The leaves and branches of the mānuka tree create this beneficial essential oil.

Interestingly, early British settlers referred to the plant as a “tea tree” because they brewed tea from its leaves! The name stuck long after they discovered the woodier mānuka tea didn’t taste quite as nice as traditional tea plants.

10. The Name ‘Poinsettia’ Honors the First US Ambassador to Mexico

Poinsettias are practically synonymous with the holidays. But did you know the showy flowers are actually native to Mexico, where they bloom in late fall and winter?

The plants received their English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US Ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett introduced America to the fiery red and green plants in the 1820s.

11. Tulips Originated as Wildflowers in Central Asia

It’s hard to imagine tiny Netherlands being the world’s top flower producer. But the Dutch dominance started centuries ago when Dutch merchants imported tulip bulbs from central Asia.

Tulips grew wild across central Asia long before entering the worldwide flower trade. Most tulip species hail from modern-day Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

12. New Guinea Impatiens Get Their Shape From Exploding Seed Pods

One look at New Guinea impatiens’ distinctive blooms makes it easy to see how the tropical perennials got their name. The cup-shaped, almost-open flowers resemble impatiens seed pods right before they burst.

Inside the flowers, the pollen-loaded anthers are under tension. When touched by pollinators, they practically explode and release pollen onto the happy bees.

13. South Africa is Home to Strelitzia, the Infamous Bird of Paradise Flower

With its spiky orange and blue petals fanning out like a crown, the unmistakable bird of paradise flower looks straight out of the tropics. But strelitzia actually hails from South Africa, not some far-flung tropical isle.

The plant flourishes in warm climates, which is why you’ll frequently find bird of paradise adding dramatic flair to gardens in places like California and Florida.

14. Lilies Symbolize Purity in Christianity

Easter lilies practically scream spring, which is why they’re so popular to decorate churches and homes this time of year. Beyond just looking beautiful, the stately white blooms carry deep meaning for Christians.

The lily’s association with purity and virtue dates back centuries. In fact, the flowers are even said to have sprouted where drops of Virgin Mary’s milk touched the earth.

15. Germany Used To Send Crocuses Down the Rhine River for International Women’s Day

On March 8th, Women’s Day is celebrated across many European countries. But did you know Germany used to have a unique floral twist on the holiday?

Up until the early 1900s, boats floated down the Rhine carrying vast amounts of crocuses. The purple blooms represented the strength and perseverance of German women. The crocuses would then be sold in the Netherlands for charity.

We hope these spring flower facts brightened your day a bit! When you stop and appreciate their beauty, fascinating history, and lore, flowers suddenly seem even more magical. We don’t know about you, but we are now even more eager for those pops of color to return to the garden!