An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan 12 May 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 butterflys best friend
International Nurses Day
12 May 2024Skiddaw, Lake District National Park

More Desktop Wallpapers:

14 Mar 2025Celebrating Pi Day
3 May 2024The Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA
4 Feb 2025Golden Bridge, Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam
Home of the worst-smelling food?
29 Mar 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
High achievers
City of ice
A triumphant pose
5 Aug 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
17 Dec 2023Bohemian waxwings
20 Dec 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
2 Dec 2025Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany
29 Feb 2024Leap Day
2 Oct 2025National Poetry Day
A touch of magic
25 Mar 2025Tolkien Reading Day
13 May 2024Fish River Canyon, Namibia
1 Jul 2024Canada Day
28 Sep 2023World Maritime Day
12 Jul 2025Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
8 Sep 2025International Literacy Day
18 Jan 2026Winnie the Pooh Day
13 Feb 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
A seal of smiles
12 Oct 2023Palouse region, Idaho, USA
28 Nov 2023Giving Tuesday
14 Nov 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
3 Jan 2024J.R.R. Tolkien Day
18 Nov 2024Porthcawl lighthouse, Wales
10 Oct 2025Fiji Day