Seoul is an densely populated city full of skyscrapers without much ground for gardens, however small. But there are pots and trees everywhere - a desire for something growing and green despite the often concrete environment. This is a brief snapshot of everything I saw growing in Seoul end of October 2017.
chrysanthemums in front of the Gyeongbokgung Palace gate
I see two bees on these chrysanthemums
ornamental cabbage
the palace is quite a controlled environment but a cheeky smooth sow thistle has manged to self-seed along the wall
on the other side of the path, a bee on white clover
and an unknown shrub
and on the other side of the palace, with those black berries, this should be distinctive, will research
close-up of those purple and white flowers at the end
there's a moth or butterfly on these pink flowers which are enjoying the intense sun on Gwanghwamun Square
in additon to the intentional planting, of course, there are weeds
I don't know what this feathery plant is, and whether weed or welcome self-seeder
there's a small park near the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple where I noticed a few plants
many buildings have trees on the roof
building with trees on the roof
trees (typical pine trees) in front of buildings, wherever they can be fit into the urban landscape
I think this is an aster seedling
and another, although I see the leaves are a bit different
gallant soldier
a type of ivy?, I'm not sure
at first I thought this might be a pine tree seedling but looking at it more closely, I think those are seed pods
a couple of prickly sow thistle, I've seen a few of these in Seoul
I'm not sure what this white flower is
this was a common weed to me in my walks around Seoul, I'm not sure what it is, similar to nipplewort
chrysanthemum to the left with those distinctive leaves
oxalis, same the world over I guess
I was interested to see aloe leaves being sold like this.
perilla, chillis and other leaves for sale
Insa-Dong, Seoul, end of October
I saw a few plantings of agastache in Seoul.
most of the flowers are spent on this cleome, giving a good view of the seed pods
nightshade
miniature rose in a planter
nasturtium, dandelions, not sure what else
nasturtium, gallant soldier, dandelion, oxalis
I've seen a few marigolds in Seoul.
plants on roofs
salvia
this salvia looks like the one sold in the UK as "Hot Lips"
in the centre of Ssamziegil mall/market/shopping centre in Insa-Dong
I love the bulb-like artwork
I saw a few of this type of shrub in Seoul. It has distinctive flowers so I hope to be able to identify it after a bit of research. -update - just came across Mirabilis jalapa (August 2018) which seems to be a match
Most of the signs I saw in Seoul have Chinese, as well as Korean.
close-up of those flowers and fruits
the Poop Cafe in Ssamziegil has cacti and succulents on the windowsills, popular plants in Seoul
Sejong Village, Seoul, end of October
Tongin Market, typical Seoul view: traditional roof, pine trees, street pots, scooter
close-up of those plants on the far left, not sure what they are
Asters are a very popular flower for the pots and small public plantings in Seoul, presumably Aster koraiensis.
I didn't see many buddleja. I think this is the only example.
cleome
I think the purple flower is gentian
marigolds, agastache, others
I'm not sure what this white flower is.
pyracantha, not sure what the white flower is
there are lots of morning glory's in Seoul
rosemary
cacti are popular in Seoul, indoors or out
unknown weeds in Sejong Village, Seoul, end of October
-update- wondering purslane for the one on the right?
typical weed scene the world over: a seed grasping a hold wherever it can, Sejong Village, Seoul, end of October
this is the largest close-up I can get, still don't know what it is
looking up towards Mt Inwangsan in the distance
