From Seoul to Jeju: 18 Korean Flowers That Will Enchant You

Have you ever wondered what makes Korean gardens so breathtaking during spring and summer?

Korea’s diverse climate creates perfect conditions for stunning native flowers. From Seoul’s urban parks to Jeju Island’s volcanic slopes, unique blooms paint the landscape in vibrant colors.

Most people only know about cherry blossoms, but Korea hosts many other spectacular flowers.

These popular native Korean flowers offer colors, fragrances, and stories that will change how you see Korean nature.

Each bloom carries cultural meaning and adds beauty to gardens worldwide. You’ll learn when they flower, where to find them, and why Koreans treasure these natural gems.

Let’s explore Korea’s floral treasures and see which ones might bloom in your own garden.

The Language of Flowers in Korea

Learning Korean flower words opens doors to Korean culture. The word for flower, 꽃 (kkot), appears in many Korean expressions and daily conversations.

Basic Korean Flower Vocabulary

Most important word: 꽃 (kkot) means “flower” in Korean. You’ll hear this word everywhere during spring in Korea.

Common flower expressions:

• 꽃다발 (kkotdabal) – bouquet
• 꽃이 피다 (kkochi pida) – to bloom
• 꽃을 키우다 (kkocheul kiuda) – to grow flowers

Essential Korean Floral Terms

Korean	Pronunciation	English
꽃	kkot	flower
꽃잎	kkonnip	petal
꽃봉오리	kkotbong-ori	flower bud
꽃가루	kkotgaru	pollen
꽃병	kkotbyeong	flower vase
정원	jeong-won	garden
화분	hwabeun	flower pot
씨앗	ssiat	seed
뿌리	ppuri	root
줄기	julgi	stem

Pro tip: Korean people often use flower names in compliments. Saying someone is “like a flower” (꽃 같다) is a common way to praise beauty.

Cultural note: Many Korean flower names connect to seasons, emotions, or traditional stories. Understanding these connections helps you appreciate Korean poetry and literature.

Northern/Central Regions – Spring Blooms & Symbolism

Seoul’s spring changes the city into a flower wonderland. Northern and central Korea experience four distinct seasons, creating perfect conditions for diverse blooms. These six flowers represent the heart of Korean spring culture.

1. 벚꽃 (Beotkkot) – Cherry Blossom

English: Cherry Blossom
Korean: 벚꽃 (Beotkkot)
Best season: Early to mid-April

Symbolism: Cherry blossoms represent life’s fleeting beauty in Korean culture. They remind people to appreciate precious moments because they bloom for only two weeks.

Top locations:

• Yeouido Park, Seoul
• Seoul National University campus
• Namsan Tower area
• Seokchon Lake Park

Pop culture: Featured in countless K-dramas as romantic backdrops. “Goblin” filmed famous cherry blossom scenes at various Seoul locations.

2. 개나리 (Gaenari) – Forsythia

English: Forsythia
Korean: 개나리 (Gaenari)
Best season: Late March to early April

Symbolism: Forsythia symbolizes hope and new beginnings. Its bright yellow flowers announce spring’s arrival after cold winters.

Top locations:

• Namsan Mountain trails
• Seoul Forest Park
• Olympic Park
• University campuses across Seoul

Cultural note: Often appears in spring festivals and traditional Korean paintings.

3. 진달래 (Jindallae) – Azalea

English: Azalea
Korean: 진달래 (Jindallae)
Best season: April to May

Symbolism: Azaleas represent first love and passion in Korean poetry. Pink blooms symbolize feminine beauty and grace.

Top locations:

• Bukhansan National Park
• Inwangsan Mountain
• Seoul Grand Park
• Changdeokgung Palace gardens

Pop culture: Referenced in famous Korean folk songs and traditional poetry about unrequited love.

4. 수선화 (Suseonhwa) – Daffodil

English: Daffodil
Korean: 수선화 (Suseonhwa)
Best season: March to April

Symbolism: Daffodils mean rebirth and new opportunities. Their early spring bloom represents overcoming hardship.

Top locations:

• Seoul Botanic Garden
• Haneul Park
• Children’s Grand Park
• University botanical gardens

Cultural meaning: Often given as gifts during graduation season.

5. 장미 (Jangmi) – Rose

English: Rose
Korean: 장미 (Jangmi)
Best season: May to October

Symbolism: Roses symbolize love and passion, similar to Western culture. Red roses mean deep love, while white roses represent pure affection.

Top locations:

• Seoul Rose Garden
• Olympic Park Rose Garden
• Yeouido Park
• Various Seoul hotels and restaurants

Pop culture: Appears frequently in K-drama romantic scenes and Korean music videos.

6. 국화 (Gukhwa) – Chrysanthemum

English: Chrysanthemum
Korean: 국화 (Gukhwa)
Best season: September to November

Symbolism: Chrysanthemums represent longevity and honor. They’re Korea’s national flower, symbolizing autumn and wisdom.

Top locations:

• Deoksugung Palace
• Seoul Grand Park
• Namsan Hanok Village
• Traditional markets during autumn

Cultural importance: Used in traditional ceremonies and appears on Korean government seals.

The South – Cultural Heartland & Warm Blooms

Southern Korea’s warmer climate creates longer blooming seasons. This region includes Busan, Gyeongju, and other cultural centers where flowers bloom earlier and last longer than northern areas.

7. 매화 (Maehwa) – Plum Blossom

English: Plum Blossom
Korean: 매화 (Maehwa)
Best season: February to March

Symbolism: Plum blossoms represent perseverance and hope. They bloom in late winter, showing strength against cold weather.

Top locations:

• Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju
• Beomeosa Temple, Busan
• Jirisan National Park
• Traditional Korean gardens

Cultural significance: Featured in classical Korean art and poetry for over 1,000 years.

8. 모란 (Moran) – Peony

English: Peony
Korean: 모란 (Moran)
Best season: April to May

Symbolism: Peonies symbolize wealth, honor, and royal beauty. Large, full blooms represent prosperity and good fortune.

Top locations:

• Bulguksa Temple gardens
• Traditional Korean palaces
• Botanic gardens in Busan
• Private traditional gardens

Pop culture: Often painted on traditional Korean screens and pottery.

9. 해바라기 (Haebaragi) – Sunflower

English: Sunflower
Korean: 해바라기 (Haebaragi)
Best season: July to September

Symbolism: Sunflowers represent loyalty and devotion. They always face the sun, symbolizing faithfulness and positive energy.

Top locations:

• Gochang Sunflower Festival fields
• Rural areas near Busan
• Agricultural regions in Jeolla Province
• Theme parks and farms

Pop culture: Featured in Korean children’s songs and summer festival decorations.

10. 동백꽃 (Dongbaekkkot) – Camellia

English: Camellia
Korean: 동백꽃 (Dongbaekkkot)
Best season: December to March

Symbolism: Camellias represent pure love and admiration. Red camellias symbolize deep passion and devotion.

Top locations:

• Jeju Island (technically southern region)
• Busan coastal areas
• Oepo Port, Geoje Island
• Southern temple gardens

Cultural note: Camellia oil has been used in Korean traditional beauty treatments for centuries.

11. 코스모스 (Koseumoseu) – Cosmos

English: Cosmos
Korean: 코스모스 (Koseumoseu)
Best season: September to October

Symbolism: Cosmos flowers represent harmony and peace. Pink cosmos symbolize motherly love and care.

Top locations:

• Haneul Park, Seoul (technically central, but popular south too)
• Rural roadsides in southern provinces
• Olympic Park
• School campuses during autumn

Pop culture: Popular in Korean autumn photography and social media posts.

12. 튤립 (Tyullib) – Tulip

English: Tulip
Korean: 튤립 (Tyullib)
Best season: April to May

Symbolism: Tulips represent perfect love and deep affection. Different colors carry different meanings in Korean culture.

Top locations:

• Everland Theme Park
• Seoul Land
• Taean Tulip Festival
• Various botanical gardens

Pop culture: Featured in spring festivals and romantic K-drama scenes.

Jeju Island – Korea’s Floral Paradise

Jeju Island’s subtropical climate supports unique flowers year-round. This volcanic island offers the most diverse flowering seasons in Korea, with some blooms appearing nowhere else in the country.

13. 유채꽃 (Yuchaekkot) – Canola Flower

English: Canola Flower
Korean: 유채꽃 (Yuchaekkot)
Best season: March to May

Symbolism: Canola flowers represent prosperity and abundance. Golden fields symbolize wealth and good harvests.

Top locations:

• Seongsan Ilchulbong area
• Seopjikoji coastal road
• Rural fields across Jeju
• Jeju Canola Flower Festival sites

Pop culture: Featured in numerous K-dramas filmed on Jeju, including “Secret Garden” and “Boys Over Flowers.”

14. 한라봉 꽃 (Hallabong kkot) – Hallabong Citrus Blossom

English: Hallabong Citrus Blossom
Korean: 한라봉 꽃 (Hallabong kkot)
Best season: March to April

Symbolism: Citrus blossoms represent fertility and new life. They promise sweet fruit and good fortune.

Top locations:

• Hallim area citrus groves
• Seogwipo citrus farms
• Private orchards (with permission)
• Agricultural experience centers

Cultural note: Hallabong is Jeju’s famous citrus fruit, and the blossoms attract visitors during spring.

15. 범부채꽃 (Beombuchaekkot) – Crinum Lily

English: Crinum Lily
Korean: 범부채꽃 (Beombuchaekkot)
Best season: July to September

Symbolism: These tropical lilies represent exotic beauty and strength. They thrive in Jeju’s unique climate.

Top locations:

• Jeju botanical gardens
• Coastal areas with good drainage
• Traditional Jeju gardens
• Resort landscapes

Unique feature: These lilies grow wild on Jeju but are rare elsewhere in Korea.

16. 은방울꽃 (Eunbangulkkot) – Lily of the Valley

English: Lily of the Valley
Korean: 은방울꽃 (Eunbangulkkot)
Best season: May to June

Symbolism: These delicate flowers represent humility and purity. Small white bells symbolize sweet memories.

Top locations:

• Hallasan National Park
• Shaded forest areas
• Jeju’s mountain valleys
• Protected natural areas

Special note: These flowers prefer cooler, shaded spots on Jeju’s mountains.

17. 백합 (Baekhab) – Lily

English: Lily
Korean: 백합 (Baekhab)
Best season: June to August

Symbolism: White lilies represent purity and rebirth. They’re often used in Korean weddings and ceremonies.

Top locations:

• Jeju lily gardens
• Coastal meadows
• Hotel and resort gardens
• Jeju Flower Park

Pop culture: White lilies appear in Korean wedding photography and traditional ceremonies.

18. 왕벚꽃 (Wangbeotkkot) – Jeju Royal Cherry Blossom

English: Jeju Royal Cherry Blossom
Korean: 왕벚꽃 (Wangbeotkkot)
Best season: Early April

Symbolism: Royal cherry blossoms represent noble beauty and rarity. Larger than regular cherry blossoms, they symbolize special occasions.

Top locations:

• Jeju National University campus
• Hallim Park
• Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival sites
• Traditional Jeju villages

Special feature: These cherry blossoms are native to Jeju and bloom larger and longer than mainland varieties.

Pop culture: Often featured in Jeju tourism promotions and spring wedding photography.

Color Matters: Flower Colors and Their Korean Meanings

Flower colors carry specific messages in Korean culture. Choosing the wrong color can send unintended signals, while the right color shows cultural understanding and respect.

Key principle: Color meanings often matter more than the flower type itself. A white rose means something completely different from a red rose in Korean culture.

Korean Flower Color Meanings Guide

Color	Korean	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Flowers	Best For
빨간 (Red)	빨간	PPAL-gan	Passionate love, good fortune, celebration	빨간 장미 (Red rose), 빨간 동백꽃 (Red camellia)	Romantic dates, anniversaries, weddings
분홍 (Pink)	분홍	BUN-hong	Affection, gratitude, femininity, gentle love	분홍 장미 (Pink rose), 진달래 (Pink azalea)	Birthdays, Mother’s Day, new relationships
하얀 (White)	하얀	HA-yan	Purity, innocence, OR mourning/death*	하얀 백합 (White lily), 하얀 국화** (White chrysanthemum)	Weddings, new babies, funerals
노란 (Yellow)	노란	NO-ran	Friendship, new beginnings, wisdom, joy	노란 장미 (Yellow rose), 개나리 (Yellow forsythia)	Graduations, friendship gifts, spring celebrations
파란 (Blue)	파란	PA-ran	Peace, calm, trust, loyalty	파란 수국 (Blue hydrangea), 물망초 (Blue forget-me-not)	Apologies, peaceful occasions, sympathy
보라 (Purple)	보라	BO-ra	Respect, nobility, admiration, dignity	보라 제비꽃 (Purple violet), 보라 튤립 (Purple tulip)	Honoring elders, formal occasions, respect
주황 (Orange)	주황	JU-hwang	Energy, enthusiasm, warmth, success	주황 장미 (Orange rose), 해바라기* (Orange sunflower)	Congratulations, encouragement, celebrations

1. White flowers have dual meanings – check context carefully
2. White chrysanthemums are ONLY for funerals

Say It Right: Korean Flower Color Expressions

Use these phrases when talking about flowers with Korean friends, at flower shops, or describing bouquets in Korean conversation.

• “빨간 장미가 사랑을 의미해요” (Ppalgan jangmi-ga sarangeul uimihaeyo) – “Red roses mean love”
• “노란 꽃은 우정을 표현해요” (Noran kkocheun ujeongeul pyohyeonhaeyo) – “Yellow flowers express friendship”
• “하얀 백합은 순수함을 상징해요” (Hayan baekhapeun sunsuhameul sangjinghaeyo) – “White lilies symbolize purity”
• “분홍 장미를 주고 싶어요” (Bunhong jangmireul jugo sipeoyo) – “I want to give pink roses”
• “이 꽃 색깔이 예뻐요” (I kkot saekkkari yeppeoyo) – “This flower color is pretty”
• “무슨 색 꽃을 좋아해요?” (Museun saek kkocheul joahaeyo?) – “What color flowers do you like?”

Pro tip: When in doubt, ask Korean friends or florists about color appropriateness for your specific situation. They’ll appreciate your effort to follow cultural customs correctly.

Conclusion

Korean flowers offer much more than visual beauty – they provide a window into Korean hearts and minds.

From cherry blossoms representing life’s precious moments to red carnations honoring parents, each bloom carries centuries of cultural wisdom.

Understanding Korean flower language helps you connect authentically with Korean people. You’ll appreciate K-drama symbolism, choose appropriate gifts, and show respect for local customs.

These 18 flowers teach you about Korean values: loyalty like sunflowers, resilience like plum blossoms, and pure love like white lilies.

Ready to experience Korean flowers firsthand? Plan your trip to Korea during spring festival season or start practicing Korean flower etiquette with friends.

Share this guide with fellow Korea lovers and help spread appreciation for Korean culture through its most beautiful natural symbols.