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 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 butterfly’s best friend
American Red Cross pioneers
May 12, 2024Mothers Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec. 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Jun. 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Jan. 10, 2025Abraham Lake, Alberta
May 11, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
Nov. 23, 2025Fibonacci Day
Magnified moss
The ancient home of the Minoans
Locals know this place simply as ‘the Met’
A different kind of toucan
Aug. 30, 2023International Whale Shark Day
Surrounded by a sea of sand
Nov. 6, 2025Celebrating Yi Peng
Jan. 24, 2026Andermatt village in the Alps, Switzerland
Jan. 8, 2025The Great Wall of China
Jun. 6, 2024The 80th anniversary of D-Day
Nov. 5, 2024Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Feb. 24, 2025Giant cuttlefish, Whyalla, South Australia, Australia
Feb. 18, 2026Przewalskis horses
Feb. 19, 2024Toledo, Spain
Sep. 12, 2025World Dolphin Day
Postcard from the Canadian Rockies
Feb. 6, 2025Waitangi Day in New Zealand
Aug. 11, 2025Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
Apr. 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
Jun. 27, 2024Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
Jun. 17, 2024Pollinator Week
Past below, future ahead
Feb. 27, 2026International Polar Bear Day
Feb. 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, Isabela Island
May 4, 2025Star Wars Day