Guides + Tips Spring in Korea Summer in Korea

Flowers That Bloom After Cherry Blossoms and Where to Find Them in Seoul

Spring is indubitably one of the best times to visit Seoul, the vibrant and bustling capital city of South Korea, for its stunning cherry blossoms views. The majority of the cherry trees in Korea are the Yoshino variety, the species that produces pale white flowers, which when in bloom create magical vistas and attract visitors from all over the world. But what many people don’t know is that Seoul is also home to a diverse range of beautiful flowers that bloom throughout the year, long after the cherry blossoms have fallen.

If you’re planning a trip to Seoul and want to experience the beauty of its flowers beyond the major kind of the cherry blossoms, here are some of the top flowers to see and their photogenic spots located throughout the city:

Note: the peak time of each flower is included, however it only infers the bloom in Seoul. The same type of flowers in other parts of the country may bloom at different times. 

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    Layered Cherry Blossom | 겹벚꽃

    Peak Season: Late April to Early May

    The layered cherry blossom, also known as gyup-beotkkot in Korea, is a type of cherry blossom (Yaezakura variety) with multi-layered petals that give the flowers a fuller and more robust appearance. These beautiful flowers bloom in late April to early May and can be found in many parks and gardens throughout the city. The layered cherry blossom comes in a set of stark pinkish colors including pale white and hot pink, and is known for its striking beauty.

    Best places to see layered cherry blossoms in Seoul
    Popular layered cherry blossoms spots/festivals outside Seoul
    Layered cherry blossom tour packages

    Azalea | 진달래

    Peak Season: Late March to Mid-May

    Azaleas are one of the most ubiquitous flowers to see in Seoul and on many mountain foothills throughout the country after the cherry blossom season. They are known for their vibrant colors, including shades of pink, white, purple, and red, and usually start to bloom in late March. Surprisingly, Azalea is one of the most sturdy shrubbery blossoms that can stick around upto 2-3 weeks or more after blooming, giving us flower admirers the longer opportunity to enjoy their vistas.

    Best places to see azaleas in Seoul
    Popular azalea viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul
    Azalea sightseeing tour packages

    Tulips | 튤립

    Peak Season: Early April to Late May

    Tulips come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, yellow, and white, and are known for their vibrant colors and symmetrical shape, making them one of the most beloved flowers in the world. In Korea, they can be found blooming in many notorious parks and gardens from early April to late May. If you’re looking to see tulips in Seoul, there are plenty of beautiful gardens and parks to choose from.

    Best places to see tulips in Seoul
    Popular tulips viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 
    Tulip sightseeing tour packages

    Canola Flower | 유채꽃

    Peak Season: Late April to Early May

    If you’re visiting Seoul late in spring, you might want to check out the canola flower fields, which really are a beautiful treat for the eyes. Canola flowers, also known as rapeseed flowers, can be seen clustering by riverbanks throughout the city. While most of the famous canola festivals, which are celebrated in the southernmost areas such as Jeju Island and Gimhae City, are held early in March, in Seoul, the flowers bloom much later: from late April to May.   

    Best places to see canola flowers in Seoul
    Popular canola flowers viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 
    Canola flowers sightseeing tour packages

    Wisteria | 등나무 

    Peak Season: Late April to Early May

    Wisteria is a beautiful and unique flowering plant that blooms in late April and early May in Seoul. The plant produces clusters of delicate purple, pink, and white flowers that hang down from the vines, creating a mesmerizing and enchanting atmosphere. The wisteria blooms usually last for only a few weeks, so be sure to visit Seoul during this time to witness this beautiful display. 

    Best places to see wisteria flowers in Seoul
    Popular wisteria flowers viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 

    Roses | 장미 

    Peak Season: Late May to Early June

    Roses are known for their stunning beauty and have always been admired for their vibrant colors and alluring fragrance. The blooming of roses is a highly anticipated event in Seoul, as it marks the start of the summer season and the arrival of beautiful displays. To celebrate the blooming of the blossoms of these prickly but magnificent shrubs, there are many rose festivals held during the pre-summer months (May-June) throughout the city where visitors can witness the stunning beauty of various types of roses, including rare and exotic varieties. 

    Best places to see roses in Seoul
    Popular roses viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 
    Roses sightseeing tour packages

    Lilacs | 라일락 

    Peak Season: Late April to Early May

    Lilacs are another beautiful flower to see in Seoul after the cherry blossom season. They are a beautiful flower with a sweet and delicate fragrance that is getting more attention because plenty of trendy cafes have started featuring their premieres with the flowers. The lilac season in Seoul typically begins in late April and lasts through the month of May, coinciding with the end of spring. With their stunning hues of purple, pink, and white, lilacs blooming season is a must-see event for flower enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

    Best places to see lilacs in Seoul
    Popular lilacs viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 

    Orange Trumpet Vines | 능소화

    Peak Season: Mid June to Early July

    As the name suggested, orange trumpet vines produce trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange. In Seoul, the flowers bloom in the summer and early fall, typically from June to July. During this season, the trumpet Vines can be seen adorning trellises, walls, and fences with their vibrant blooms, attracting bees and small birds with their sweet nectar.

    Best places to see orange trumpet vines in Seoul
    Popular orange trumpet vines viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 

    Lotus Flowers | 연꽃

    Peak Season: Late June to Early August

    Lotus is another beautiful flower that blooms much later after the cherry blossom leaves the city. The flowers are usually seen in the summer months, from late June to early August, and can be found in many ponds and lakes. The lotus flower is also a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth in Buddhism, and its blooming is believed to represent the awakening of the Buddha within oneself. Every summer, many temples in Seoul held lotus flower festivals to celebrate the significance of the flower in Buddhist culture.

    Best places to see lotus flowers in Seoul
    Popular lotus flowers viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 
    Lotus flowers sightseeing tour packages

    Cosmos | 코스모스

    Peak Season: Late August to Mid November

    Cosmos flowers are one of the highlights of Korea’s autumn months. When they bloom, it signals the end of the country’s scorching summer time.  The cosmos season in Seoul typically begins in late August and lasts through November. During this time, many parts of the city are transformed into a sea of vibrant orange, and a mingling cloud of pink, purple, and white.

    Best places to see cosmos in Seoul
    Popular cosmos viewing spots/festivals outside Seoul 

    All in all, Seoul has an abundance of colorful blooms that will delight any nature lover. So, the next time you’re in Seoul after cherry blossom season, be sure to explore the city’s parks and gardens and discover these beautiful flowers for yourself.

    Map of Spots Mentioned in This Post

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    Last Update: October 04, 2023