Strolling on a floral carpet in the mist — camellia sasanqua in full bloom at Yangmingshan

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 

In the misty woods, the air is fragrant with blossoms, and the ground is carpeted with layers of fallen camellia sasanqua petals, creating a breathtaking scene. Every year in November, as the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time for camellia sasanqua to bloom in all its glory. Countless vibrant flowers emerge, showcasing their beauty and enchanting visitors who can’t help but linger in the camellia gardens.

Actually, camellia sasanqua is a type of camellia, but its flowers combine characteristics of both camellia and plum blossom—hence the somewhat misleading name. Camellia sasanqua is also often confused with the common camellia due to their similar blooms. The easiest way to tell them apart is by how their flowers fall: when a common camellia finishes blooming, the entire flower, including the stamens, drops off as one unit, whereas camellia sasanqua petals fall one by one. Sometimes, with a gentle breeze, you might be lucky enough to witness the legendary “petal rain,” or from afar, see the ground covered in swathes of purple-red petals.

Camellia sasanqua blooms in November, with the flowering period lasting approximately two weeks (until late November). Visitors are welcome to admire the flowers at the Floral Experiment Center on Yangde Boulevard in Yangmingshan and the Azalea & Camellia Garden in Yangmingshan Park, both managed by the Parks Department.