Around Gwangju: Wisteria Blossoms

Wisteria Blossoms Where to Find Them in Gwangju

Written and photographed by Viktoryia Shylkouskaya

Flowers bloom in Korea from March to October. While the most popular of the spring flowers are the pink and white cherry blossoms that can be seen lining boulevards throughout the city and in parks, they are not the only spring blossoms to be on the lookout for. Gwangju has plenty of other non-mainstream places to find the little buds that burst forth, welcoming the warmer breezes and sunshine.

Wisteria (등나무) Wisteria is a long-lived vining plant with cascades of bluish-purple flowers that look spectacular hanging from a pergola or archway in spring and early summer. Historically, wisteria symbolizes long-life and immortality. Wisteria can live up to 100 years or even longer. Amazingly, there is a 200-year-old wisteria tree in Japan today! Wisteria is notable not only for its attractive and fragrant flowers but also for its vigorous growth. The vine may grow three meters or more in one year and can climb trees and shrubs as high as 20 meters above the ground.

Wisteria is not native to South Korea and came from China and Japan. Good news – you do not have to go to Japan to see it. The stunning wisteria blossoms can be found here in Gwangju at Gwangju Jungang Elementary School (광주 중앙초등학교), which is located downtown. This is one of my favorite hidden spots in Gwangju for finding flowers! When visiting the spot, you will be almost overwhelmed by the fresh scent. Wisteria’s fragrance is floral and much like that of lilac, but a little sweeter with a touch of creamy honey vanilla and a wispy note of jasmine in the background. There is also an additional something in the fragrance that might be equated to cinnamon. It is certainly a scent that keeps you coming back for more to try to grasp it.

The calm surroundings found behind the school is the perfect place to enjoy the purple blossoms. You will definitely be stunned by the beauty of the numerous wisteria flower clusters lying on top of one another that you can see there. Make the most of spring in Gwangju; get out to see the dazzling display that Mother Nature provides. She certainly does not disappoint in Korea.

When they bloom: Wisteria usually blooms towards the end of April and into May, depending on weather conditions. This year, they were in full bloom starting April 24. Where they bloom: Gwangju Jungang Elementary School, 6-2 Gung-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 광주 동구 제봉로 167, 광주중앙초등학교

The Author

Viktoryia Shylkouskaya is a 25-year-old Belarusian currently residing in Gwangju. She moved to South Korea in 2016 without any knowledge of the country or language. What she thought would only be one year has since turned into many more. She can be found on Instagram: @shylk.vick.