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:

Aug 25, 2023National Park Service anniversary
Aug 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day
Sep 19, 2022State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Oct 8, 2025World Octopus Day
Nov 20, 2020Atop the Needle of Chamonix
Jun 16, 2020In the footsteps of Leopold Bloom
Jul 24, 2021Can you see the family resemblance?
Apr 1, 2024April Fools Day
May 24, 2024European Day of Parks
May 12, 2023Wild lupines
Jun 15, 2024International Surfing Day
Nov 28, 2018Christmas comes to New York City
Jun 27, 2018In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
Feb 5, 2020Frozen beauty
Aug 14, 2018Combating extinction with citizen science
Nov 20, 2019Atop the roof of Africa
Jun 30, 2023Brown bears in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Dec 12, 2023Poinsettia Day
Sep 5, 20221934 Labor Day parade, Gastonia, North Carolina
Jul 8, 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
May 26, 2019Racing toward history
Dec 28, 2018A species no longer at risk
Jan 6, 2021Travels to the Oregon deep
Jun 28, 2018A unique perspective from Italy’s ‘golden sands’
Apr 18, 2019Stop and see the flowers
Jun 7, 2022Haaga Rhododendron Park
May 7, 2022Astronomy Day
Feb 13, 2019Life goes on at the Beatles Ashram
Sep 29, 2025The Rainbow Houses of Houten, Netherlands
Sep 14, 2018Back to the nest