The Complete List of Flowers of North Macedonia

North Macedonia’s mix of mountains, valleys and river corridors hosts a changing palette of wildflowers across the seasons, from lowland meadows to alpine scree. Knowing where and when to look makes spotting species much easier than wandering at random.

There are 36 Flowers of North Macedonia, ranging from Bee orchid to Yarrow. For each species we list Scientific name, Bloom time (months), Habitat & location — you’ll find below.

When is the best time to see most wildflowers in North Macedonia?

Spring through early summer (April–July) is prime for the widest variety, with many lowland species peaking first and alpine blooms appearing later; some tolerant species extend into late summer or autumn, and you can check the Bloom time (months) column in the list for exact windows.

Are any of these species protected or should I avoid picking them?

Yes — several species, especially native orchids and rare endemics, are protected or locally uncommon; avoid picking flowers, stick to photography, and consult park rules or regional conservation lists before collecting or disturbing plants.

Flowers of North Macedonia

Images and Descriptions

Ramonda (Macedonian ramonda)

Small rosette plant with purplish, five-lobed flowers; hallmark of Macedonian limestone gorges. Look on damp north-facing rock ledges after spring rains. Resilient resurrection-like leaves make it unmistakable.

Edelweiss

Silvery, woolly composite flowerheads on short stems in alpine zones. Iconic cushion-forming plant; feel for fuzzy, star-shaped bracts and high-elevation limestone and schist scree slopes.

Harebell

Delicate nodding blue bell flowers on wiry stems. Look for thin basal leaves and solitary or few bells per stem in high meadows and exposed ridges.

Common poppy

Bright scarlet papery petals with black base. Tall single-stemmed flowers spring through early summer in fields and roadside ditches; easily spotted in cultivated lowlands and plains.

Cornflower

Intense blue, thistle-like flowerheads on wiry stems in open fields. Formerly common in cereal crops; now found in field margins and roadside patches.

Oxeye daisy

White ray florets with yellow centre in clumps. Stiff stems and toothed basal leaves; common across hay meadows and roadside banks throughout the country.

Dandelion

Bright yellow composite heads turning into globe seedheads. Single hollow stem per flower; common ubiquitous weed found from lowlands to hills.

Meadow buttercup

Glossy yellow bowl-shaped flowers on branched stems. Leaves deeply divided; common in damp, grazed meadows and hayfields.

Yarrow

Flat-topped clusters of small white flowers with feathery leaves. Aromatic foliage; forms low mats in dry grasslands and disturbed slopes.

St John’s wort

Clusters of bright yellow, five-petalled flowers with conspicuous stamens. Leaves dotted with translucent glands; common in sunny disturbed sites.

Sweet violet

Low, heart-shaped leaves with fragrant purple or white flowers close to ground. Often early spring under trees and shrubs; distinctive scent helps ID.

Wild carrot

Umbel of white flowers often with a single dark central floret. Fern-like leaves and bristly stems; common across grasslands and roadside verges.

Ramsons (Wild garlic)

Broad glossy leaves and clusters of starry white flowers with garlic scent. Found in shaded, moist woods and streamside banks in spring.

Early purple orchid

Purple to pinkish spikes of densely packed orchid flowers. Stout stem with spotted leaves; appears in grassy clearings and light woods.

Bee orchid

Single flowers mimic a bee; brown velvety lip with pale margins. Often found on sunny limestone soils and grassy verges in late spring.

Spring crocus

Small cup-shaped lilac to white crocus flowers emerging early spring. Narrow grassy leaves with central silver stripe; appears in colonies on sunny slopes.

Meadow saffron (autumn crocus)

Large crocus-like pink to purple blooms appear in autumn from buried bulbs. Strap-like leaves appear in spring; often found in damp, lowland grasslands.

Great yellow gentian

Tall plant with whorls of large yellow trumpet flowers. Thick basal leaves and bitter roots; grows in montane hay meadows and sunny slopes.

Stemless gentian

Deep blue, trumpet-shaped flowers close to ground in cushions. Short stems and opposite leaves; classic spring-summer sight above the treeline.

Nettle-leaved bellflower

Clusters of purple, bell-shaped flowers on erect stems. Stout plant with toothed leaves; appears in damp hedgerows and woodland glades.

Reichenbach’s iris

Blue to violet iris with patterned standards and falls. Narrow leaves and spring bloom; favors dry rocky grasslands and limestone outcrops.

Wild tulip

Small pale yellow to bright yellow tulips with pointed petals. Single bulbous stems in open grasslands and lowland plains; look for naturalized colonies.

Woodland sage

Spikes of purple to blue tubular flowers attract bees and butterflies. Low clumping plant with aromatic leaves, common in sunny, well-drained soils.

Viper’s bugloss

Brilliant cobalt-blue tubular flowers and rough, hairy stems. Conspicuous in late spring on dry, calcareous soils; attracts pollinators.

Meadow vetchling

Pea-like fragrant yellow flowers in loose racemes climbing low grasses. Pinnate leaves with tendrils; common in hay meadows and grassy roadside banks.

Self-heal

Purple tubular flowers in dense spikes and opposite leaves. Low creeping habit; common medicinal herb in damp grass and turf.

Spear thistle

Large spiny stems with magenta thistle heads. Tough biennial often in disturbed soils and pasture edges; seedheads attract goldfinches.

Dog rose

Arching shrubs with pale pink to white single roses and numerous prickles. Found in hedgerows and scrub, producing hips in autumn.

Elderflower

Flat clusters of tiny fragrant white flowers followed by dark berries. Large multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees common along streams and hedges.

Hawthorn

Masses of white spring blossoms and thorny branches. Dense hedgerows and scrub; characteristic early-spring flower display across landscapes.

Lords-and-ladies

Unusual hooded inflorescence with a spadix and mottled leaves. Spring flowered aroid found in cool, shaded woods and streamside banks.

Pasque flower

Bell-shaped mauve flowers with silky-haired stems and feathery seedheads. Early spring star of dry montane grasslands on calcareous soils.

Drumstick allium

Dense spherical heads of deep crimson bulbous flowers atop slender stems. Attractive in late spring on dry, sunny grassland and rocky places.

Great mullein

Tall spike of yellow five-petalled flowers on a woolly-leaved rosette. Biennial that colonizes disturbed soils and open sunny sites.

Field scabious

Pink to lilac pincushion flowerheads on long stems, leaves opposite and lobed. Seen across hay meadows and grassy banks in summer.

Grecian windflower

Cup-shaped blue, pink or white flowers on short stems in early spring. Basal leaves and quick-lived blooms in sunny openings and light woods.

Flowers in Other Countries