Sangju-si Sango Liriope Muscari Colony Blooms Brightly After 5 Years... Liriope Pine Forest Regains Its Former Glory

Since 2016, 'Excessive Nitrogen Oxide' Has Caused Leaves to Overgrow Without Blooming
Fruits Achieved After Local Residents' Efforts... Crowds of Photographers and Tourists Nationwide

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Liriope muscari in the pine forest of Sango-ri, Hwabuk-myeon, Sangju-si, Gyeongbuk, has bloomed beautifully like a purple carpet for the first time in five years. Since 2016, when soil management failed and only leaves grew thickly, the transformation is so striking that visitors naturally exclaim in awe.

According to Sangju City on the 5th, the center of the Sango pine forest, which adjoins a deep valley with the nearby Janggak Waterfall and creates a dreamy atmosphere in the serene mist, is undoubtedly the Liriope muscari colony. Established in 2011, this colony has been introduced as 'Maekmundong Solsup' on internet photography boards, blogs, and YouTube, becoming a famous tourist spot in the Gyeongbuk area.

However, since 2016, the Liriope muscari colony here has only grown leaves without blooming flowers. This phenomenon was caused by excessive nitrogen fertilizer use due to overemphasis on propagation, resulting in adverse effects from too much nitrogen.

Amid criticism from visitors, the area began to regain vitality starting in 2019 with the replacement of the Hwabuk-myeon chief. At his inauguration, Chief Shin Jung-seop declared, "By August next year, I will definitely make the Liriope muscari bloom and invite tourists from across the country," and this promise was fulfilled this year.

Last year, Hwabuk-myeon staff visited famous Liriope muscari colonies nationwide, such as Hwangseong Park in Gyeongju, Sangnim Forest in Hamyang, and Seongju Seongbak Forest, to seek advice and conduct benchmarking, according to Sangju City.

To solve the problem of excessive nitrogen oxide, they divided and transplanted the clumps, temporarily stopped using fertilizer, and improved cultivation methods by removing all leaves in spring to encourage new shoots this year.

Hwabuk-myeon Chief Shin Jung-seop said, "Seeing flower buds this year is a valuable achievement made possible by the participation of all residents, including the township office staff and the women's association," adding, "I hope the fame of the Liriope muscari colony will lead to the revitalization of tourism in the Sangju area and the sale of local agricultural specialties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.