By MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled and reported
Zhuzihhu is world-renowned for its sea of calla lilies. During the annual Calla Lily Season, it attracts over 600,000 visitors. In recent years, with the growing trend of flower appreciation among Taiwanese tourists, hydrangea fields have also become a must-see spectacle for both domestic and international tourists visiting Yangmingshan from May to June; after May, calla lily production begins to decline, and the flowers in the fields gradually enter their summer dormancy period. This makes it the perfect time to transition to admiring the hydrangea seas and welcoming summer.
Mid-May to mid-June is the blooming season for hydrangeas in Yangmingshan. (Image source / Taipei City Government Department of Economic Development Agriculture Division)
After the second half of mid-to-late May, the romantic white calla lilies come to an end, and the farms in Zhuzihhu begin to greet the vibrant purple-blue hydrangea seas. There are 7 to 8 varieties of hydrangeas grown in Zhuzihhu, with a diverse color palette including pure white, pink with red edges, pink, purplish-red, light blue, and blue. There are also large-flowered and medium-flowered varieties scattered across the farms, creating richly layered and vividly colorful scenes—perfect for visitors to take photos and make memories.
There are many flower farms around Zhuzihhu where you can admire vast, colorful hydrangea seas. (Image source / Zhuzihhu Calla Lily Season)
The vase life of hydrangeas is about a week. For cut hydrangeas, it’s best to soak the entire flower in water for more than half an hour and wrap the blossoms with damp newspaper to ensure they remain bright and vibrant after bringing them home.
May and June are the best times to admire hydrangeas. (Image source / Zhuzihhu Calla Lily Season)
The hydrangeas commonly seen in the market are of the Western hydrangea variety. Hydrangeas are originally from Japan, where they are called “ajisai” in Japanese. However, their breeding was not carried out in Japan but began in the second half of the 18th century after eight varieties native to Japan—including mountain hydrangea, calyx hydrangea, and red-faced hydrangea—were introduced to Europe. In the early 20th century, France first developed superior varieties, followed by hybridization experiments in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other countries, resulting in 400 to 500 varieties with richly colored and large-inflorescence blooms in shades of red, pink, and reddish-purple. These were later re-imported to Japan under the transliterated genus name of hydrangea, distinguishing them from the native varieties.
The beautiful hydrangea seas offer different moods whether viewed from afar or up close. (Image source / Datitian Flower Eco-Farm)
【Info】
Information on Zhuzihhu Hydrangea Farms1. Datitian Flower Eco-Farm (Shuiwei): Admission fee required. Offers flower-picking areas as well as meals and drinks. Services are by appointment only. (Cao Yongcheng: 0928123152, 0928831151)
2. Dashangyuan (Dinghu): Offers flower-picking. (Wang Rensong: 0914060199, 0952118498)
3. Donghu (Shuichailiao Trail): Admission fee of NT$100. Allows viewing and photography, and gives away two hydrangeas upon exit. (Gao Mingwei: 0922105012)
4. Jin Xin Flowers (Calla Lily Avenue): Visitors can purchase flowers at the tourist flower beds, with a variety of cut flowers available. (Lu Jintu: 28629611, 28612959)
5. Sweet Garden (Macau): Allows entry for flower viewing and potted plant purchases, with dining services also available. (Chen Qingjing: 0922-986899)
6. Huagu Calla Lily Garden (Dinghu): Admission fee of NT$100. Allows viewing and photography, and gives away two hydrangeas upon exit. (Lu Zhucheng: 0925-382988)
7. Caifu Calla Lily Field (Dinghu): Admission fee of NT$50. Allows viewing and photography, and gives away one hydrangea upon exit. Also offers dining and drink services. (Lu Pinfang: 0928-624802)
The above information is subject to the actual announcements of each farm.