Now, Japanese iris (Hanashobu, Iris ensata var. ensata) is now flowering in many gardens. Webmaster visited Sagamihara Park (Sagamihara-koen) this week which has an iris garden. Access: Tokyo (local train 0:14) Shinjuku (local train 0:32) Sagami-ono (bus 0:20) Sagamiharakoen-mae @ When Webmaster visited the garden in April, iris was still small. But,… Read more →
Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a summer bird in Japan. They migrate to Southeast Asia to escape the winter and return in spring for breeding. A nest with a brood of four young birds. Their nest is made of mad and dry grass mixed with their saliva. We Japanese traditionally care for swallow. It is considered as a beneficial… Read more →
Webmaster found Japanese Helwingia (hanaikada, Helwingia japonica) when went hiking before last week. Hanaikada is an indigenous shrub in Japan. The similar species (same genus) distribute in East Asia from Himalayan region to Southern China. It widely distributes in forests in hilly and mountainous area, but is not very common. Curiously enough, this shrubby species has flowers… Read more →
Tsutsuji azalea is now flowering. Some buds of azalea Azalea is very popular in Japan. In fact, azalea can be seen everywhere, in parks, gardens and even on road sides. If you are traveling in Japan now, you will easily find azalea flowers. Azalea flowers last much longer than cherry flowers. Please enjoy azalea flowers! … Read more →
Cherry blossom front has shifted toward north. Now, we have wisteria blossom in the central region of Japan. In the early April, the buds of wisteria were still small. But, those were growing gradually. And finally, started blooming Wisteria is one of popular horticulture trees (vines) in Japan. If you travel in Japan in this season,… Read more →
Peony is in bloom! Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) originally comes from China, and became one of the popular horticulture flowers in Japan. Common peony blooms in spring, but some horticulturists grow peony with special care to bloom in winter. Webmaster visited Peony Garden of Tsurugaoka-hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura last week. Admission:￥500 for adult. (Free admission to the precincts of the… Read more →
Now, Ume (Japanese apricot, Prunus mume) has begun to bloom. As you know, Japan is famous for sakura (cherry) blossom. The message of cherry blossom is “spring has come”. On the other hand, the tacit message of ume (apricot) blossom which blooms earlier than sakura is “spring is approaching” although it’s still cold these days. Webmaster personally… Read more →