Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis Jalapa) オシロイバナ（白粉花）

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The marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) is native to South America, came to Japan at the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1868), and is now planted for ornamental purposes across the country. It produces white, red, yellow, pink, and variegated flowers from late June to October. Its another name "four o'clock flowers" is after it usually opening at around 4 p.m.  

Its Japanese name is "Oshiroi bana," which translates into "white makeup powder flower," after the endosperm in the black seeds looking like white makeup powder.

2026/6/24

Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana) 洋種山牛蒡（ヨウシュヤマゴボウ）

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The pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is native to North America, came to Japan at the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912), and can now be found across the country. It produces tiny flowers with white petals and green ovaries from June to September, followed by fruits which are green at first but turn dark purple beautifully when ripe. (Scroll down!) The plant is toxic in its entirety despite its beautiful appearance. 

2026/6/24

Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea Arborescens 'Annabelle') アナベル

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The Annabelle hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle') is a cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens. The hydrangea is a late bloomer, producing flowers from May to July, which are lime green at first, turning white and then green again. Below are the shots of various hydrangeas. Hope you enjoy them!

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Ayesha' (Popcorn hydrangea)

Hydrangea changing from pale green to white then to pale blue
Hydrangea blooming all year round (Hydrangea serrata var. yesoensis f. cuspidata cv.)

Purple and pink lacecap hydrangeas

Various lacecap hydrangeas

Pink mophead hydrangea

Kurenai lacecap hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata var. 'Kurenai')

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Tea of heaven 'Mikata-yae' (blue Hydrangea serrata)

Nettle-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea hirta)

White and whitish hydrangea

2026/6/2

Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) アガパンサス（紫君子蘭）

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The Lily of the Nile or the African lily is native to Southern Africa, was introduced to Japan during the Meiji era (1868-1912) and can now be found across the country, producing pale purple and white (sometimes pink, which I've never seen) flowers from May to August in Tokyo. The lily is popular for its flowers blooming during the muggy rainy season in Japan (usually from June to mid-July).   

2025/6/20

Himalayan Ash (Fraxinus Griffithii) シマトネリコ（島梣）

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The Himalayan ash (Fraxinus griffithii) is native to subtropical to tropical Asia and can be found in Japan (mainly in southern Japan), producing large panicles of small white flowers from May to June. 

The tree is known to attract Japanese rhinoceros beetles (Trypoxylus dichotomus) but is designated as an invasive species in some wards of Tokyo. 

2026/6/22

Trailing Abutilon (Abutilon Megapotamicum) ウキツリボク（浮釣木、チロリアンランプ）

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The trailing abutilon (Abutilon megapotamicum) is indigenous to Brazil, was imported to Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and can now be found across the country. It produces lantern shaped flowers from May to October in Japan. The red part that looks like a lantern is sepals, the yellow part is petals, and the protruding brown thing is the style.  

2026/6/21

Salt Cedar (Tamarix Chinensis) ギョリュウ（御柳）

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The salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis) is native to Mongolia and northern China, came to Japan in the mid-18th century, and can now be found across the country, mainly in parks and botanical gardens. The tree produces dense plums of pale pink flowers twice a year, in May and from August to September, in Japan. 

Its Japanese name is "gyoryu," which translates into "imperial willow," after its weeping appearance like willows and it being said to be appreciated by Lady Yang, an imperial consort.

2026/6/22

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia) キダチチョウセンアサガオ（木立朝鮮朝顔）属

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Brugmansia is native to tropical regions of South America, was introduced to Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912) for ornamental purposes, and can now be found across Japan. Its flowers resemble Datura metel very much but it's quite easy to tell. Brugmansia flowers face downward while Datura metel upward. They're related and both toxic.

2026/6/21

Woodland Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus Sylvestris) 胆八樹（ホルトノキ）

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The woodland elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus sylvestris) is native to eastern Asia and can be found across Japan. What I like best about the tree is its spin mop-like flowers, which bloom from June to August in Japan. (Scroll down!)

The tree is named "horuto no ki" in Japanese, which translates into "Portugal tree," after an innocent mistake made by Gennai Hiraga (1728 - 1780), a famous Japanese pharmacologist, student of Rangaku (i.e., western learning), physician, author, painter, and inventor (in short, a genius!) in the Edo period (1603-1858). He mistook this tree for an olive tree, which was then called "Portugal tree." Even Homer sometimes nods. Gennai isn't an exception😉!

2026/6/22

Chinese Privet (Ligustrum Lucidum) トウネズミモチ（唐鼠黐）

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The Chinese privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is native to China, came to Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and can now be found across the country. It produces flowers from June to July in Japan and fruits (scroll down) in October, which are green at first and turn purplish black toward winter. The tree's Japanese name is "tou nezumi mochi," which translates into "Chinese mouse mochi," after the fruits looking like mouse droppings and the leaves resembling those of the mochi tree or the elegance female holly (Ilex integra). The fruits of Chinese privet are used in herbal medicine despite their mouse dropping like appearances. 

The Chinese privet is widely planted in urban areas (e.g., Tokyo) because it's highly tolerant against air pollution, heavy urban smog, and poor soil conditions. 

2026/6/22

Platanus × Acerifolia (London Plane) 紅葉葉鈴懸の木（モミジハスズカケノキ）

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The London plane (Platanus x acerifolia) is a hybrid of the oriental plane and the American sycamore, coming to Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and can now be found across the country. The tree produces male and female flowers from April to May in Japan, often seen scattered on the ground after the rain. The tree's Japanese name is "momiji ha suzukake no ki," which translates into "maple leaf platanus," after its leaf shape.

The London plane is aesthetically pleasing throughout the year with their flowers, fruits, and autumn leaves (scroll down). The trees in my neighborhood are too large (10 meter high), so I've seen its fruits and male flowers fallen on the ground but not those still on the trees.  

2026/6/21