Flowers of Israel
Israel is a country with a unique natural landscape, where even in winter you can admire blooming plants. If you are planning a trip and want to learn more about the flora of this fascinating land, here are the answers to the most popular questions about flowers in Israel.
The national flower of Israel is the anemone. In 2013, it was officially recognized as the national flower after a nationwide vote.
Anemones bloom in Israel from late December to March, covering hills and fields with bright red carpets. They are especially beautiful in the forests near Jerusalem.
Thanks to Israel’s diverse climate, the country is home to many species of flowers. The most famous include:
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Anemones – bloom in winter and early spring, painting landscapes in bright red shades.
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Irises – rare and protected, including the striking black iris, which grows in the parks of Netanya.
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Lupines – purple and blue wildflowers that cover the hills of Galilee in spring.
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Tulips and daffodils – found growing wild in northern and central regions.
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Cyclamens – delicate pink and white flowers that thrive in forests and rocky areas.
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Crocuses – appear in early spring in northern Israel and the mountains around Jerusalem.
Israel’s nature is stunning year-round, but winter and spring are the best seasons to enjoy its most colorful floral landscapes. To see them at their peak, head out to the country’s nature reserves and national parks.
Winter Flowers
Winter in Israel is not only about rain and cool days — it’s also the season of colorful blossoms that transform the landscape. From January to March, you can see Retama raetam, blooming almond trees, red anemones, and rare black irises.
Retama raetam — White Clouds of the Desert
Where it grows: In the Negev and Arava deserts, and even in Netanya Park near the Mediterranean Sea.
Blooming season: January – March.
In biblical times, travelers used the retama bush for shade, and its wood for fire.
Almond (Amygdalus communis) — The First Breath of Spring
Where it grows: In parks, along roads, in the Galilee mountains, parks near Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.
Blooming season: January – February.
Almond blossoms are a symbol of awakening, as the trees flower before the leaves appear. In Hebrew, the tree is called “Shaked” (שקד), meaning “diligent,” because of its early bloom.
Red Anemones (Anemone coronaria) — Nature’s Scarlet Carpets
Where they grow: In fields and forests near Jerusalem, the Negev, Galilee, and parks in Netanya and Haifa.
Blooming season: February – March.
Israel even celebrates an annual festival, “Darom Adom” (Red South), dedicated to the blossoming anemones in the Negev Desert.
Black Iris (Iris atropurpurea) — Israel’s Rare Wonder
Where it grows: On coastal hills from Netanya to Ashkelon.
Blooming season: February – March.
The black iris is one of the rarest flowers in Israel, listed in the Red Book and protected by law. Its velvety petals shimmer with deep purple shades in the sunlight.
Citrus Harvest Season
January is also the season of Israel’s famous citrus fruits — juicy oranges, sweet mandarins, and refreshing lemons. Markets overflow with fresh produce during winter.
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Oranges — Israel’s iconic Jaffa oranges have been exported worldwide since the 19th century.
Season: December – March.
Where: Sharon region, Jezreel Valley, Galilee. -
Mandarins — Sweet and fragrant, especially the popular “Or” variety, easy to peel and full of flavor.
Season: November – January.
Where: Coastal Mediterranean regions and Galilee. -
Lemons — Bright, tangy, with thin skin, widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine for lemonade, sauces, marinades, and pickled lemons.
Season: December – March.
Where: Galilee, Sharon, Judean Plain, and the Arava Desert.
Walking through Israel’s orchards in winter, you’ll smell the unmistakable citrus fragrance. Lemon trees bloom while bearing fruit, creating a magical combination of flowers and ripening citrus. Winter is the perfect season for fresh lemonade, zesty sauces, and aromatic spices!
April Flowers at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden
In April, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens transform into a true paradise for flower and nature lovers. Spring blossoms cover the entire garden, filling it with vibrant colors and delicate fragrances. Here are some of the plants you can admire during this season:
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Lobelia (Lobelia erinus): A popular ornamental plant with vivid blue or violet-blue flowers. In Israel, lobelias are often planted in parks and spring flower beds, creating striking bursts of color. Their electric-blue hue makes them a highlight of any floral display.
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Anemones (Anemone coronaria): Bright blossoms in various shades that carpet the meadows of the garden, creating breathtaking landscapes.
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Aloe: Fiery red or orange tubular flowers, gathered in clusters that rise above the foliage. Decorative varieties such as Aloe arborescens and Aloe striata are widely grown in Israel’s gardens and botanical collections for their spectacular blooms.
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Viola or Pansies (Viola tricolor var. hortensis): Blooming from early spring through summer, sometimes into autumn in mild climates. In Israel, pansies are especially popular in spring, adorning parks, gardens, and city streets with their cheerful colors. They symbolize tenderness, care, and remembrance.
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Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus): Known for its distinctive flower shape resembling a lion’s mouth, which opens and closes when gently pressed. In Israel, snapdragons often bloom in striking yellow and red shades.
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Clarkia (Clarkia amoena): A profusely flowering annual with delicate lilac-pink petals. Often used in borders, beds, and urban landscaping, Clarkia thrives in Israeli gardens thanks to its sunny disposition and easy care.
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Wild Plum Trees (Prunus spp.): Blooming with delicate white flowers in April, these trees add charm along the garden’s pathways.
🌸 Visiting the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in April is a perfect opportunity to enjoy Israel’s floral diversity and capture stunning photographs amidst the spring bloom.
The Japanese Garden features a traditional red pagoda and is especially enchanting in spring, when cherry blossoms (sakura) are in bloom, creating the atmosphere of a Japanese spring. The garden is also famous for its impressive bonsai collection, considered one of the largest in the world.
Address: 1 Burla St., Jerusalem
Opening Hours:
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Winter (Oct–Apr): Sunday–Thursday & Saturday 09:00–17:00; Friday 09:00–15:00
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Summer (Apr–Oct): Sunday–Thursday & Saturday 09:00–19:00; Friday 09:00–17:00
Ticket price: 40 NIS per adult
Official website & tickets: botanic.co.il
Botanical Garden in Jerusalem
The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens in Givat Ram — the largest botanical garden in Israel — is located on the campus of the Hebrew University. It is a living plant museum, showcasing collections from around the world and arranged into geographical sections.
The idea of establishing a botanical garden in Jerusalem dates back to the early years of the Hebrew University. The first garden was founded in 1931 on the slopes of Mount Scopus as a research and teaching center. However, following the War of Independence and the city’s division, access to that area became impossible.
In the 1950s, a new botanical garden was created on the Givat Ram campus. Over the decades, it expanded, enriched with rare and exotic plants, and gradually opened to the public, becoming one of Israel’s most important scientific, cultural, and tourist attractions.
🌲 A highlight of the garden is the North American section, where towering sequoias — among the tallest trees in the world — grow from seeds brought from California. Walking among these giants feels like stepping into a Californian forest, offering visitors a rare encounter with the wilderness in the heart of Jerusalem.
On the grounds of Utopia Park, visitors will find scenic ponds with musical fountains, surrounded by green hills and blooming gardens. Guests can stroll through mazes, alleys of sculpted shrubs, and a fragrant herb garden. For children, there are playgrounds and dedicated relaxation areas.
Practical Information
Location: Kibbutz Bahan, about 30 km northeast of Netanya.
Opening Hours:
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Sunday–Thursday: 9:00–17:00
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Friday & holiday eves: 9:00–15:00
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Saturday & holidays: 9:00–17:00
Ticket Price: 59 NIS.
How to Get There: By car, take Highway 6 to the Nitzanei Oz exit, then follow the signs to Kibbutz Bahan.
On site, you’ll also find a café and a shop offering home plants, pots, and orchids for cultivation.
Utopia Park is a place where everyone can find something special — from admiring exotic plants and meeting animals to simply relaxing in nature. It’s the perfect destination for a family day out and a great way to explore the richness of Israeli flora and fauna.
Utopia Park - the kingdom of orchids
Utopia Park is a unique botanical garden located in Kibbutz Bahan, near Netanya. It’s an ideal destination for a family outing, combining the beauty of nature, diverse flora and fauna, and fun activities for both children and adults.
The park’s main attraction is its covered tropical greenhouse, recreating the atmosphere of a rainforest. Here, visitors can admire thousands of orchid species from around the world, along with rare tropical plants, including carnivorous varieties such as the Venus flytrap and sundew. As you stroll along winding paths with waterfalls and ponds, you’ll encounter exotic birds and butterflies freely flying in the greenhouse.
Families with children will especially enjoy the petting zoo, where friendly animals like rabbits, goats, and sheep live alongside peacocks and parrots. Kids can feed and pet the animals, making this an interactive and educational experience.
Since then, the trail has become a symbol of connection to the land, independent travel, and learning history. Schoolchildren, discharged soldiers, families, and pilgrims all hike its paths. In 2012, National Geographic named it one of the “20 best trails in the world.”
You can start your journey on any section of the trail, hiking for a day, a week, or several months. The route is well-marked with three colored stripes:
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White – representing the snowy north
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Blue – symbolizing the central regions and the sea
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Orange – reflecting the southern desert landscapes
The Israel National Trail attracts not only tourists and pilgrims but also locals of all ages. It connects people with the land, memory, nature, and themselves.
Israel National Hiking Trail
The Israel National Trail is a hiking route stretching about 1,100 km from Kibbutz Dan at the foot of Mount Hermonin the north to Eilat on the Red Sea in the south. It is not just a hiking path — it is a journey through Israel’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and thousands of years of history.
The trail crosses the Galilee, Samaria, the Judean Hills, the Negev Desert, the Mediterranean coast, as well as numerous national parks, archaeological sites, and biblical landmarks. In winter and spring, the path is especially stunning: anemones, poppies, black irises, almond trees, and desert broom bloom along the way, transforming it into a living exhibition of Israel’s wild flora.
The idea of creating the trail came from Israeli writer and traveler Amos Elon, inspired by the Appalachian Trail in the United States. In the 1980s, hiking activist Avigdor Kahalani promoted the project, and in 1995 the Israel National Trail (Shvil Yisrael) was officially inaugurated.
Practical Information for Hikers
Length: ~1,100 km — from Kibbutz Dan in the north to Eilat in the south.
Direction:
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Most hikers go north to south.
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In spring, it is recommended to start in the north.
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In autumn, better to begin in the south to avoid desert heat in summer.
Trail Markings: Look for three stripes painted on rocks, trees, and signs:
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White – symbolizing the snowy north
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Blue – the Mediterranean coast and central regions
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Orange – the desert landscapes in the south
What to Bring:
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Comfortable hiking shoes
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Water supply: ~2 liters per person (more in the desert)
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Israel Hiking Map app for navigation
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Sun hat and sunscreen
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Tent or list of local hosts (there is a network of “Trail Angels” – friendly locals who host tired hikers for free)
Best Seasons to Hike:
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February – April: Spring bloom and mild weather
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October – November: After the summer heat, before the winter rains
Accommodation Options:
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Official campgrounds
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Guesthouses and hostels in nearby towns
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Trail Angels — private volunteers offering free overnight stays
The citrus groves of this region are managed either by local kibbutzim, which have cultivated citrus for generations, or by private farmers who inherited the land from their parents and grandparents. Each orchard reflects a slightly different approach — some focus on heritage varieties, others on modern hybrids known for their delicate flavor and easy peeling.
Many of these farmers take pride in maintaining sustainable agricultural practices, using minimal chemicals and relying on traditional irrigation systems adapted to the coastal climate.
Citrus season in Israel is short but vibrant.
The ideal picking period runs from mid-December — when the mandarins reach full sweetness — until the end of February, before the first warm days arrive. Weekends during this time are especially lively, with families gathering under the trees for picnics, photos, and outdoor fun.
Season: mid-December – end of February
Entry Fee: approx. 40 NIS per person
What You Can Pick: oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, pomelos (varies by farm)
Recommended Time: morning hours, when the groves are cool and quiet
Nearby Attractions: Zichron Yaakov, Ein Shemer Museum, hiking routes around the Carmel foothills
Before visiting, it’s best to check the specific orchard’s opening hours — many farms announce their schedule weekly depending on weather and crop conditions.
Winter Picking in the Heart of Israel
Citrus Groves of Pardesim
Between the coastal plains and the green folds of the Carmel range lies Pardesim, one of Israel’s most beloved citrus-growing regions. Its name comes from the Hebrew pardes — an orchard — and even today the area remains a mosaic of fragrant groves owned by nearby kibbutzim or by private family farms.
From mid-December to the end of February, these orchards open their gates to visitors, offering a simple pleasure that has become a small winter tradition: picking your own citrus fruit straight from the tree.
Several local orchards allow visitors to enter the groves for a small entry fee.
The price is typically 40 shekels per person, which includes unlimited picking for personal use. Families, couples, and groups often come for a relaxed morning activity, enjoying the sensory experience of choosing fruit directly from the branches.
It’s a slow, mindful pastime: reaching for the perfect mandarin, feeling its weight in your palm, and tasting a sweetness that only just-picked fruit can offer.
At the farms, guests are given small boxes, after which they can freely wander the beds, choosing the berries they like. Children enthusiastically participate in this process, learning to respect nature and enjoying sweet fruits straight from the bush. The cost of participating in strawberry picking is 30-40 shekels per person. This often includes the opportunity to take home a small package of freshly picked berries.
Family Fun in Israel
Strawberry fields
From December to the end of March, strawberry picking season begins in Israel—a fun and delicious activity ideal for families with children. Many farms near the major coastal cities of Netanya, Tel Aviv, and Herzliya offer visitors the opportunity to pick fresh, flavorful strawberries directly from the plantations.
