As summer settles over Guangdong Province, Zhaoqing's Xinghu Scenic Area has entered one of its shortest but most photogenic flowering seasons, as queen's wreath (or sandpaper vine) comes into bloom.
The plant produces pendulous clusters of mauve and deep violet that spill from trellises and archways along the lakeshore. Its blossoms feature a two-layer structure, with pale, star-shaped outer sepals framing a small, darker inner corolla, creating a soft, watercolor-like gradient against Xinghu's karst landscape.
Park authorities describe the vine as an early-summer attraction for visitors seeking a break from the heat. The blooms arrive after the main spring displays have faded and before the full humidity of the southern summer takes hold, offering a brief window of softer color beside the lake. Nearby bougainvillea bracts, a more familiar but no less vivid presence in the park, provide a striking counterpoint of hot red against the cooler purple tones.
Xinghu Scenic Area, a limestone landscape of caves, lakes, and rock formations in Zhaoqing, is home to a range of flowering species. The sandpaper vines, with their brief yet delicate display, have become a seasonal marker for regular visitors. Officials at the scenic area say the vines are now at their peak, with the blooms typically lasting through mid-June before the petals begin to thin and the full weight of the southern summer arrives.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Xijiang Yihao (西江1号)
