An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan May 12, 2025

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:

Mar. 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
May 16, 2024International Day of Light
Amber waves of grain
Where two continents meet
Mar. 27, 2024World Theatre Day
Jan. 25, 2026Burns Night in Scotland
Surrounded by a sea of sand
Nov. 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
A book lover’s paradise
Feb. 18, 2026Przewalskis horses
Jan. 26, 2025European beech forest, Belgium
Nov. 4, 2024Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
A breathtaking cave when it’s cold
Nov. 12, 2023Diwali
Nov. 25, 2023Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon
Oct. 26, 2025National Pumpkin Day
Sunlight turning silver to gold
Jan. 25, 2024Snowy owl
Jan. 23, 2025Sundance Film Festival
May 6, 2024The Roaches ridge in the Peak District, England
Mar. 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Aug. 30, 2023International Whale Shark Day
Jul. 7, 2025Northern gannets, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Apr. 17, 2024Black bear cub emerges into spring
A blue-tiful island
Apr. 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
Sep. 28, 2023World Maritime Day
Where is this majestic museum?
Dec. 27, 2025Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States
Oct. 19, 2024International Archaeology Day