By Stephanie Chao, the Eye on Taiwan staff writer

The season of lovely hydrangea macrophylla, or bigleaf hydrangeas, is here, blossoming in a bright palette of colors ranging from purple, pink to white.

Hydrangea macrophylla, whose floral language is “hope,” is a native to Japan, but there is no need for the locals to travel all the way to Japan, as they can be appreciated at several locations around the island.

Yangmingshan Zhuzhihu or Bamboo Lake (陽明山竹子湖)

Yangmingshan is a popular location for floral appreciation of all types and the hydrangea macrophylla is no exception. 

The Kao family hydrangea floral field is one such place to view the colorful blossoms. The blossoms last from May to July, with the flowers expected to be in full bloom mid-May.

One can view the blossoms up in the mountains and on cloudier, foggy days, the overall atmosphere is unique compared to other locations.

Li-Ming Walking Path Floral Garden (黎明步道花園)

Trekking up Yangmingshan can be a chore during the popular floral season as the number of people roaming the floral fields rivals the blossoms themselves.

Li-Ming Walking Path Floral Garden beside Taishan Junior High School in New Taipei City’s Taishan District. Aside from hydrangea macrophylla in pink, blue, purple and green colors, photos on the Internet and social media are presenting a variety of flowers in the garden as well.

Hydrangea season at the garden is expected to be between the end of May to mid-June.

Mingchi Forest Recreation Area (明池國家森林遊樂區)

Located up in the mountains of Yilan County, Mingchi is known for its ethereal atmospheric scenery of tall trees hidden in a blanket of fog. 

In one of the recreation area’s gardens, Miaopu, hydrangea macrophylla can be found, though in less quantity than the other locations mentioned above, according to local media reports.

Sheipa Leisure Farm (雪霸休閒農場)

Flowers in full bloom are expected to be seen at Sheipa Leisure Farm, located in Xinchu Wufung  Borough in June. Most of the blossoms are planted outside the coffee shop in the leisure farm, reports say.

Wuling Farm (武陵農場)

Another location nestled in the high mountains of Taiwan is Wuling Farm, where a roadside blossoming with the colorful flowers can be seen usually at the end of June.

Those who are willing to travel further from the capital’s Yangmingshan to the serene mountains definitely can consider going to Wuling Farm to appreciate the hydrangea macrophylla.

Shanlinxi Forest Amusement Park (杉林溪森林生態渡假園區)

Lesser know, but equally captivating and serene is Shanlinxi Forest Amusement Park in Nantou County.

The blossoming season here is expected around May to August and the park boasts three places that tourists can appreciate the colorful blossoms: the Natural Education Center, the Cabin Area and on the roadside near Floral Center. The blossoms can be found on the walls and the riverside bank.