An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan May 12, 2025

An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan

Flower viewing is a beloved tradition in Japan, with each season bringing its own natural spectacle. Just as the last sakura (cherry blossom) petals drift away, Tokyo"s gardens start gearing up for their next big show: the iris bloom. Featured here is an iris garden in Tokyo. The iris is a flowering plant genus that has 310 recognized species, known for their bold and beautiful blossoms. The genus is named after the Greek word "îris", meaning "rainbow," which is also the name of the Greek goddess of rainbows.

© M.Arai/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

May 12, 2018It’s World Migratory Bird Day
May 12, 2019The parenting of a piping plover
May 12, 2020Nursing the world to health
May 12, 2021A visit to Limerick on Limerick Day
May 12, 2022International Nurses Day
May 12, 2023Wild lupines
May 12, 2024Happy Mothers Day!

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 27, 2019The roots of invention
Feb 6, 2020A hint of spring
Dec 12, 2018The story of the poinsettia
Jun 25, 2020Hoisting a flag for seafarers
Jan 26, 2020It s Republic Day in India
Sep 14, 2023Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Aug 15, 2021Swim city
Jun 14, 2024Flag Day
Dec 20, 2023Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
Oct 14, 2018Gone ‘lightseeing’ in Berlin
Jun 24, 2019A summertime light show
Sep 19, 2019Fall for birding
Apr 2, 2018Seven Magic Mountains art installation, Jean Dry Lake, Nevada
Jun 1, 2024Pride Month
Jun 20, 2022Pollinator Week
Jan 27, 2019A memorial in Germany
Apr 4, 2021A yearly sign that spring has sprung
Feb 26, 2022Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Nov 15, 2020What’s blooming in New Zealand?
Oct 13, 2020Where can you find a red fox?
Jul 31, 2020The Big Blue of the Sierra
Jan 11, 2021At the gates of the ksar
Jan 19, 2022Kluane National Park
Jun 1, 2018In Apia Harbor for Samoan Independence Day
Mar 11, 2022We stand with Ukraine
Dec 4, 2022World Wildlife Conservation Day
Jan 16, 2019Up on the glacier
Jun 12, 2018Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
Jul 23, 2022National Moth Week
Apr 18, 2020National Park Week begins