An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan 12 May 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 recognised 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

A butterflys best friend
International Nurses Day
12 May 2024Skiddaw, Lake District National Park
12 May 2026Atlantic puffins, Wales

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Stars in daylight
Bryce Canyon hoodoos in winter
A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
7 Sep 2024Annas hummingbird
8 Jun 2024European hare
The Town of Books
22 Sep 2023Hobbit Day
29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China
26 Jan 2024Big Garden Birdwatch
Turtle-y nice day for a swim
21 Oct 2024Cypress trees in George L Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Sep 11, 2023Patriot Day
17 Oct 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
4 Aug 2025Great grey owls in their nest, Finland
19 Aug 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
26 Dec 2025Boxing Day
25 Feb 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy
The Old Bridge, reborn
A temple to treasure
Lighting up the Dolomites
Butterfly, fly away
27 Nov 2025Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, England
21 Aug 2025Wheatear, Peak District National Park, England
Christmas flowers
Misty mountain hop
21 Dec 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia
It’s party time
Shark Awareness Day
20 Mar 2026Spring equinox
Sep 5, 2023Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway