With the wisteria blossoms bursting into full bloom recently at Jiading Wisteria Park — in Shanghai's Jiading district — nearby restaurants and cafes moved swiftly to seize the moment to create special springtime experiences for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Just a short walk from the garden, Jiading Garden — a restaurant on Bole Road — is drawing crowds with its newly launched Wisteria Garden Afternoon Tea.

Presented on a three-tier stand, the pastel lavender cakes are a showstopper, perfectly framed by the lush greenery of the outdoors garden. It's become a popular stop for visitors fresh from the Wisteria Garden, eager to capture the photogenic setting and enjoy a sweet bite.

"Wisteria has become a seasonal icon of Jiading," said Xu Mengyan, a representative of Jiading Garden.

"We wanted to turn this visual feast into a culinary one as well," she added.

Their "Flavors of the Flower Season" promotion includes more than just afternoon tea; they've also introduced spring-themed set meals for two-three people and have opened up their Pan Family Garden for open-air dining and photo opportunities among century-old trees.

To welcome guests during wisteria season, Jiading Garden is even offering complimentary wisteria-themed pastries with each meal. Xu added that more wisteria-inspired dishes and desserts are under development, with hopes of extending the season's charm through taste and texture.

Just across the road from the Wisteria Garden, Now Factory, a trendy shopping mall, is also joining the floral fun.

"We're working closely with nearby restaurants to introduce limited-time meal deals for flower-viewing visitors," a Now Factory spokesperson said.

"Several eateries have already rolled out creative, value-packed menus designed to enrich the springtime outing," the spokesperson added.

This blooming synergy between food and flowers is expected to offer a snapshot of how Jiading's spring is being celebrated not just in its parks, but also on its plates.

Jiading Wisteria Park

Address: No 45 Bole Road, Jiading district

Open all day, year-round

Free admission

Jiading Garden

Address: No 100 Bole Road, Jiading district

Business hours: Daily, 11 am to 13:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Now Factory

Address: No 70 Bole Road, Jiading district

Business hours: Daily, 10 am to 10 pm

Source: Official WeChat account of the publicity department of the CPC Jiading district committee at "sh-jiading"