Flowers and trees are in full bloom all around Korea. Having legs and camera means that a great portion of our time is spent out in the “wilderness” of Seoul looking at bushes and other plants that have changed color spectacularly but will soon fade to a common green. This country has very drastic seasons which ebb and flow spectacularly. It begins with the cherry blossoms and spreads across the whole spectrum of plant life until there is little reason to stay indoors.
Bridal Wreath
One of the most common spring spectacles is the Bridal Wreath, or spirea. Similar to Baby’s Breath, this plant can be found along many rivers and streams.
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Japanese Yellow Dogwood
Another favorite over here at Hedgers Abroad is the Japanese Yellow Dogwood. These brilliant yellow flowers are often sighted at temples lounging peacefully, mimicking the late afternoon sun. Head over to Icheon to see fields filled with hundreds of these. There is a festival celebrating these beautiful trees every spring, but even though that has past, the city is still covered with the blossoming flowers. Directions from Seoul to Icheon can be found here.
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Rhododendron
Not to be confused with the later-blooming azaleas, these purple and pink Rhododendron can be found on mountainsides and wooded areas as well as along rivers. We lucked into this patch of rhododendron at a temple in the Anyang Art Park!
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Forsythia
Forsythia is another common plant to be found along Korean waterways. Yellow and numerous, they are a welcome announcement that spring has come and they do their part in beckoning us outdoors.
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Flowering Quince
These bushy bushes add a splash of red to the blooming spring. They have comically sticky pollen, so be sure to encourage others to sniff deeply.
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We hope you enjoyed these spring pictures, and click here to visit our Flickr account to see them in full size! If you are living in Seoul, be sure to explore the Han River and its tributaries, particularly the Anyangcheon (River). Springtime is beautiful, so get out there and see it! A good way to explore lengthy sections of the Han River, if walking isn’t your thing, is to rent a bike for about $3 an hour! Check out our post about how to bike the Han here!
Found along the Anyangcheon
Nice photos. Do you know the name of that temple? I’d like to give that a visit sometime. Great post btw!
The temple with the Japanese Dogwood is Bonguensa in Gangnam. The one in the Anyang Art Park with the Rhododendron is Jeongsimsa!
Ok cool! These are in Seoul? It’d be a great change from the busy places I usually frequent when going to that megamegacity. Thanks!
Anyang is just south of Seoul but a visit to the Han River and the Anyang River are well worth it for a bit of nature in the city.
Great pictures. I have yet to visit Seoul but will add thie temple to the list when I get there 🙂
Love these! I am a flower fan.
WOW! Amazing shots. I’ve never been back to Korea – since leaving at four.
[…] This island is notable not only for its big gold buildings, but also for its hugely popular Cherry Blossom Festival every Spring. The outer perimeter of the island is lined with these beautiful trees and is one of […]
[…] Seoul has plenty of blooming trees in the springtime, but we are huge advocates of getting out of the capital and exploring the rest of what Korea has to offer. The public transportation system is getting easier and easier for foreign travelers these days, so why not! Below are our favorite flower locations that are unusual and not as well known. Check them out and let us know if you have heard of any other awesome locations that you recommend in the comments below! […]