Ulsan Sunflowers Wither in Heatwave as Korea Holds Rose of Sharon Festival

Extreme heat and drought have caused the sunflowers planted along the coastal walk at Daewangam Park in Ulsan to wilt within ten days. Temperatures reached 33.8 °C, well above last year’s highs, while rainfall in the past month has been scant, leading park officials to water the beds repeatedly without success. A visitor remarked, “I came to photograph the sunflowers in full bloom, but they were already wilted.”

Meanwhile, the 81st Liberation Day on August 15 is being marked across South Korea with a series of Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) events. National arboretums, including Sejong and Baekdusan, are showcasing hundreds of varieties, offering hands‑on activities such as fan‑making and natural dyeing, and opening free of charge to the public.

Both stories highlight the seasonal focus on floral displays in South Korea, juxtaposing the challenges posed by an intense summer heatwave with cultural celebrations of the nation’s symbolic flower.