Lenten Rose (Helleborus Orientalis) クリスマスローズ（寒芍薬）

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Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) is native to Greece and Turkey but can be found across Japan now, known as "Christmas rose."

The plant tag nearby also says "クリスマスローズ (Christmas rose)" and this is understandable because in Japan, the Lent period is almost unknown. You would find it strange to see "Christmas roses" for the Lent period but there is a saying that "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." So, when in Japan, please do call the Lenten rose "Christmas rose"!

2026/2/27

2026/2/27

2026/2/27

Weeping Plum Blossoms しだれ梅

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You can find many Chinese plum trees in Tokyo but not so many when it comes to weeping ones. Usual plum blossoms are beautiful but weeping plum blossoms are more gorgeous and spectacular when in full bloom!

 
Plants make people more talkative. A Hamilton's spindletre tree did so and plum trees did so, too. And thanks to that, I learned about the only weeping Japanese plum tree in my neighborhood (as far as I know) and was able to take these pictures. 

The last three photos were taken three years ago in Ueno, Tokyo on a late afternoon when the Moon started rising in the sky.

2025/2/22

2026/2/8

2026/2/8

2026/2/12

Golden Mimosa (Acacia Baileyana) ギンヨウアカシア（銀葉金合歓）

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Golden mimosa (Acacia baileyana) is native to Australia but can be found across Japan. The trees produce beautiful golden flowers from January to March and show beautiful red leaves in autumn. 

2026/2/24

2026/2/24

Pink Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Debilis) ムラサキカタバミ（紫酢漿草）

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These are pink woodsorrel (Oxalis debilis) growing near small skullcaps. There are two types of pink (wood)sorrel, Oxalis debilis and Oxalis articulata. Both are pink but Oxalis debilis (pink sorrel in this post) is a little bluish and paler than the other. Despite such a color difference, however, these two are often confused with each other in Japan.  

2026/2/23

2026/2/23

2025/4/5

薄ピンクのツバキ

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I've seen Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) blooms many times but it's my first time to see such beautiful pale pink blooms with no spots. While I was photographing them, a horsefly came, starting to have breakfast (2nd and 3rd photos). 

2026/2/23

2026/2/23

Japanese Andromeda 'Rosea' (Pieris Japonica F. Rosea) アケボノアセビ（曙馬酔木）

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Japanese andromeda usually produces white flowers but this type, i.e., Japanese andromeda 'Rosea' (Pieris japonica f. Rosea), produces pink flowers. The plant's Japanese name is "asebi (馬酔木)," which translates into "a tree which makes horses drunk" because horses that eat this plant look drunk due to a toxin contained in it. Deer in the Nara Koen park in the Nara prefecture don't eat this plant (how clever they are!), resulting in many Japanese andromeda trees left growing in the park.

2026/2/22

2026/2/22

2025/3/4

Winter Daphne (Daphne Odora) 沈丁花

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Winter daphne (Daphne odora) is native to China but can be found across Japan. From February to April daphne flowers are so fragrant that even I, who have a stuffy nose due to hay fever, can enjoy their citrus like fragrance through a mask. Winter daphne produces red berries in spring, but don't even think of eating. They're very toxic. Most of them in Japan are male, though. 

2026/2/22

2026/2/22

It's Okay for Women to be Assertive in Japan

In Japan, people often say it's important to read the air, that is, understand the unspoken wishes, and satisfy such wishes not to be marginalized. And this is truer of women. Below is a case I experienced many years ago when working for a large Japanese bank where I understood the intention of my supervisor but did not satisfy it.  

White Japanese Camellia 白椿

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In winter, you would see sasanqua camellias in many places in Tokyo. You would also find red Japanese camellias quite often, but not white Japanese camellias. The flowering season of Japanese camellia (Camellia japonica) is from December to April, the end of which overlaps with the beginning of the cherry blossom season. White Japanese camellias mean "perfection," "admiration," and "lovely." 

2025/2/9

2025/2/9

Plants in the Snow 雪の日の花たち

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It's snowing in Central Tokyo, which is unusual and fun!  

2026/2/8 Weeping Japanese apricot 枝垂れ梅

2026/2/8

2026/2/8 Sasanqua camellia 山茶花

2026/2/8 Wintersweet 蝋梅