When the UAE comes to mind, you wouldn’t typically think of fields of flowers growing naturally since, geographically, the country is 80 per cent desert landscape. But that would be naive thinking. The Emirates, which are part of the Persian Gulf and are known for their sand dunes and stony desert mountains, in fact, grow a vast number of different floral species that thrive in this, on occasion, rugged and inhospitable climate of the region.
In this blog, we will dive into the diverse range of flowers that naturally flourish in this part of the Arabian Peninsula. As a result, you can plan your future flower purchases throughout the year in a resourceful way. From the typical affordable flowers you can get at your local flower shop to the flowers and plants you can grow in your garden, regardless of the season.
Spring typically starts in the UAE when winter is coming to an end (March to May), and unlike the continent of Europe, the temperatures here are at a bearable level. The national flower of the country, Tribulus Omanense, and other flowers such as the desert rose and Arabian jasmine come into bloom. In certain parts of the city is a burst of colour, and it is really a feast for the eyes for the residents of the UAE on their daily commute. The range of imported flowers available in spring, which are abundantly available at flower markets and your local flower shops, includes tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and peonies that are in season.
Summer in the UAE can get extremely hot, with temperatures soaring up to 40-45 °C near coastal cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. During this period (June to August), it’s essential to choose tropical, heat-resistant flowers that can survive in such harsh climates. The challenging weather should not stop anyone from having a beautiful blossoming garden; flowers such as bougainvillaeas, hibiscus, sunflowers, frangipani and periwinkle flourish in the extreme heat and are excellent options during the summer. As for floral arrangements, flower availability, blooms like orchids, anthuriums, chrysanthemums and carnations not only survive well in the heat but bring exotic charm to rooms and spaces.
Unlike temperature regions, Autumn in the Emirates looks nothing like the Autumn we see in the movies. It’s essentially summer coming to an end, and due to the current climate crisis, in recent years this period can also be quite challenging; temperatures vary from 25 to 35 °C. However, since winter is basically on its way, plants like Lantana, marigolds and pansies still thrive beautifully at this time. Aside from outdoor flowers, indoor affordable flower alternatives include roses, dahlias, asters and sunflowers.
The most anticipated season in the UAE (from the end of November to the beginning of March), Winter in West Asia, has its own rare and distinctive charm. The weather shifts from 15°C to 25°C, and you can find the UAE coming alive, with flowers flourishing and its people roaming around the city, relishing the pleasant atmosphere. The Favourable garden balcony flowers during this season are poinsettias, petunias, snapdragons and geraniums. In addition to lilies, roses, ranunculus, amaryllis, and hellebore are in season for Christmas and other festivities.
The thriving flower landscapes of the UAE, despite its harsh climate, are a powerful reminder that nature finds its way to flourish in the most unexpected places. In a sun-baked, arid region of vast, never-ending sand dunes and rocky mountains, the flowers that manage to thrive through all of it prove that beauty isn’t defined by ease but by adaptability. The next time you drive past a hardy bougainvillaea thriving in the scorching UAE sun, take a moment to appreciate the understated victory of this low-key yet flamboyant flower.
For affordable seasonal flowers that don’t break your bank account, Parfumella Flowers has a diverse collection all year round for all your flower needs.
