עברית
Every month has its flowers and each flower has its time to bloom. The complete information guide for blossoming in the Western Galilee by the months of the year, including recommendations for restaurants and cafes in each area.
Professional Advice & Photos: Ayelet Bar Meir, Tour Guide
January, February & March
Windflowers
Enjoy a nature show of various colors! In the lower Galilee regions blooming begins in January and in the higher Galilee regions it begins in February. Why windflowers?! Because they’re as beautiful as a bride!
Blooming Spots: Me’ona, Mount Meron near the Horvat Hamama parking lot
Tip: In the Horvat Hamama area you can also see the Hyacinths blooming in January. Don’t be lazy! Bend down and take a wiff. You will not regret it!
Nearby Recommendations: Hadarla – kosher chef restaurant on Lake Monfort in Ma’alot, Chateau du Roi – a Crusader fortress with an Italian chef restaurant in Mi’ilya, Julia Winery in Mi’ilya, La Pampa – an Argentinian meat restaurant in Mitzpe Hila
Cyclamens
These flowers bloom for a long time.
Blooming Spots: Forests, for example in the Hanita forest. Walk along a route called “En Koveshim”. You will reach a flowing spring, surrounded by lots of beautiful cyclamens.
Nearby Recommendations: Julius Distillery in Kibbutz Hanita, you can visit the by prior arrangement. Mika – Confectionery Cafe in Kibbutz Ayalon.
Egyptian Honesty (Maltese Cross Ricotia)
These flowers form a spectacular “natural carpet,” covering the ground in purple-pink, especially in olive groves.
Blooming Spots: at the entrance to Klil, among the olive trees. In Jat – it is recommended to park near the oil press and walk left for about 5-10 minutes to the area of the olive groves.
Tip: It is also an edible plant, and chefs use it for filling sambusak.
Nearby Recommendations: Adelina Chef restaurant in Kibbutz Cabri, Noor Restaurant – authentic Druze food in the village of Julis
March & April
Spiny Broom
A small, thorny shrub. During the summer the shrub eliminates large areas because of its thorns and makes grazing diffficult.
On the other hand, during the blooming period, you can enjoy a bright and fragrant yellow flower.
In the Bible, it is mentioned as one of the perfume plants that would be brought to the Temple.
Blooming Spots: open areas throughout the Galilee
Tip: If you enjoy making jams, these yellow flowers make a fine jam.
Orchids
There are 15 types of orchids, and one of them is the bee orchid.
Where does the name come from? The bee orchid resembles a female bee!
The eager males arrive with great enthusiasm and pollinate the flower. The bee orchid is considered a copycat flower and blooms vigorously around Purim!
Another type is the grove orchid. It, too, is a copycat flower that mimics a Sage-Leaved Rock Rose. Here, as well, the bees come to it with great enthusiasm, mainly because of its bright color.
Blooming Spots: The amazing route between Horbat Tefen and Yarka.
Nearby Recommendations: It is recommended to stop to rest and drink good wine at the Kishor Winery in Kishorit. You can also visit the Stern Winery on Kibbutz Tuval – by prior arrangement.
Cistus – White & Pink
Blooming Spots: on the Rock Park route and along Nahal Kziv. And of course in Kibbutz Lotem, because if not there, then where?!
Nearby Recommendations: In Kibbutz Lotem, the Lotem Winery, which is an organic winery and Shirat Roim Dairy – a house for cheeses, is waiting for you! Sit back and relax in front of the spectacular view and enjoy the delicacies they both offer.
Common Water-Crowfoot
A flower that grows in puddles and shallow ponds.
Blooming Spots: Dalton plateau in the Gush Halav area. The Dalton plateau is mostly a basaltic place, so the water is not absorbed and winter puddles form that last a long time. Near Gush Halav you will find a large and amazing winter puddle with lots of flowers.
Tip: Deer herds also roam the area. A special sight in itself!
Wild Peony
The rarest flower in the country and one of the largest in nature.
Blooming Spots: The wild peony blooms on Mount Hillel near Beit Jan between late March and mid-April.
This is a protected flower so only photography is allowed!
Nearby Recommendations: In Beit Jan visit “Aya Natural,” a local family factory for the production of natural cosmetics. It is also possible to enjoy pre-booked workshops. Alareesha restaurant in the village of Ramah, excellent Arabian food, in front of a breathtaking view and a great atmosphere.
Rough-Leaved Michauxia
Blooms in April and May. This flower is also very rare in Israel, is considered a protected flower and grows only in the Galilee.
It is named after botanist Andre Micho who first discovered it during his travels in the Middle East in the 18th century.
Blooming Spots: Nahal Kziv and Nahal Sha’al. And on the way to Shtula you can see a lot on the sides of the road!
Nearby Recommendations: By prior arrangement, we recommend a perfect meal at Shula From Shtula, home-cooked Kurdish cuisine. A culinary and human experience. And at the same time, do not miss the painted wall in Shtula.
Bristly Hollyhock
Although the name of the flower does not guarantee large and besieged, but you are all familiar with the tall and impressive flowers, with the purple and pink flowers at the top that bloom on the sides of the roads!
Tip: The herbal liquid is used as a cure for wounds, burns and infections.
Greek Sage
An amazing and multi-faceted plant with many medical qualities. Blooms between March and June, depending on the weather.
Blooming Spots: mainly in open areas, such as along Nahal Ga’aton and the Hanita Forest.
Tip: The leaves have an amazingscent!!! Bring boiling water and enjoy a cup of tea with sage leaves. Highly recommended!
Nearby Recommendations: Julius Distillery in Kibbutz Hanita. You can visit the place by prior arrangement. Mika – Confectionery Cafe in Kibbutz Eilon
May & June
Tall Wild Pea (Kippah)
Did you know that the meaning of the word “kippah” is high? Indeed the tall wild pea reaches a height of 2 meters! And it blooms in colors of pink and purple.
Blooming Spots: throughout the Galilee
Tip: Since it is a relative of the pea, the wild pea is also edible and its taste, most surprisingly, is reminiscent of peas.
May Until October
Mediterranean Wild Thyme
A spice bush found along the shoreline. The flowers are arranged in spherical groups as dense as the skull.
Blooming Spots: along the shore of Rosh Hanikra. Pink and purple flowers.
Tip: In addition to being a spice plant, it is also used to cleanse the body and treat general weakness. According to Maimonides, the plant has medicinal properties that have a “wonderful” effect on the body.
Nearby Recommendations: Tosha – a confectionery cafe in Achziv
