This is a progressive post. I will be adding new photos as the year unfolds. Flowers are photographed in my neighborhood at Pacific Central-North, Japan, unless otherwise noted.
Their names, benefits, etc. are published along with pictures for entertainment and inspirations. If said “edible” for example, please do look it up for details before pouncing on it, for there may be the plant-specific conditions. (eg. spring leaves are edible, consume only a small amount, etc.)
30Dec25: Suisen/ Narcissus tazettaScented. Medicinal. Just started to, and will blossom through the winter, well into spring. The one in the photo was the first to bloom in my garden. And the last to appear on this page. Photographed December 15 at 13:51, published today at 23:06.
28Dec25: Kaji Ichigo/ Rubus trifidus (berries)Earlier, April 14th to be exact, I posted a flower photoo of this plant, mentioning about the berries that I may sample. I am here to report to you that I did, in fact ate one. The one in the middle in bright orange-red is ripe, and it was one like that I sampled. Flavor was very faint, not tart, not that sweet. I was more surprised by the nervousness I felt, consuming a berry from a place other than a store shelf. Photographed May 19 at 17:49, published today at 20:34.
18Dec25: Camellia/ Camellia japonicaMedicinal. Winter bella has been back since late November, if I remember right. Camellia will continue to produce luscious blossoms through cold months well into early spring (scroll down to see a photo of a very pretty bud from March this year). Photographed December 15 at 13:41, published today at 22:01.
17Dec25: Syukaido/ Begonia grandisMedicinal / edible. Tracking back a bit to late summer-mid autumn. Were remarkably festive blossoming busy in my little garden, made me proud as if I had contributed some. Spent many meaningful moments sipping by them in the sun. Thank you for warming my heart, lovelies!! Photographed October 01 at 10:09, published today at 23:01.
16Dec25: Sazanka/ Camellia sasanquaScented. Medicinal (oil from seeds used for hair/ointment base), edible (sprouts for tea in part of Kyu Syu, Japan). As of today they are finishing up the blooming duty of the year. Been a pleasure for the last few months – since early autumn – their aroma has been so very therapeutic, thank you Belle!! Photographed November 05 at 12:18, published today at 21:22.
26Nov25: Ginkgo Leaf / Nanten (Nandina domestica) FruitsToday was the first of a few glorious days ginkgo leaves fall. Colors of the one in photo have already half faded as the leaf was nearly fully dried. Freshly falling every time a breeze pick up, they are in the most gentle hues of flashy yellow. Photographed November 26 at 14:13, published also on 26th at 19:22.
22Sep25: Mizuhiki/ Persicaria filiformisPhotographed September 21 at 16:54, published 22nd at 02:20.
13Sep25: Fuyou/ Cotton Rose/ Hibiscus mutabilisSummer fading out but not these pretties. Bloom for one day then the whole bud falls as seen in the picture. Fibers of this plant have been used for weaving in some parts of Japan. Photographed September 11 at 11:52, edited on 13th, published also 13th at 12:28.
15Aug25: Takasago Yuri / Lilium formosanumJust started to bloom, the name of the bella is approximated to best of my ability. 80 years on since the end of WWII. The white lily of late summer is my little tribute to our Collective Un/Conscious. Photographed August 12 at 15:58, published August 15 at 12 noon.
14Aug25: Giboushi /HostaMedicinal and edible. I may try soon, in such case will report. Photographed today at 11:23, published at 20.23.
03Aug25: Rucola /Eruca vesicariaEarlier this year I planted a scrap (root) to see what happens. Photographed May 01 at 10:33, published on August 03 at 21:12.
01Aug25: Haru jion /Erigeron philadelphicusPhotographed April 26 at 14:06, published on August 01 at 20:10.
29Jul25: Yu Gesyou/ Oenothera rosea/ Pink Evening PrimroseColors of the blossom are a bit exaggerated. Photographed June 5 at 17:49, edited and published on July 29 at 19:37.
28Jul25: Imo Katabami/ Oxalis articulata…and I sing, “You Are So Beautiful to me~~~”. Photographed June 7 at 14:36, edited and published on July 28 at 19:00.
12Jul25: Tsuyu Kusa /Asiatic Dayflower /Commelina communisMedicinal. Blooms for one day in the morn. A tiny blue flower enveloped inside the green shell; in the photo withering petals peeking out. Its variant (Ao Bana/blue flower) used as ink for fabric dyeing – perfect for tracing designs as the color fades in time. Posted first version on 04Jul25, the above is the revised ver.2, photographed 11Jul25 at 15:40, published on 12th at 22:06.
03Jul25: GardeniaQueen of the scented returned about a week ago, full on blossoming as of today. Do you talk to plants? Because, well, I do. In fact I was just telling her, “I wish I smell like you do.” Photographed today at 14:48, published 19:50.
14Jun25: Tradescantia fluminensis/ Tokiwa Tsuyukusa/ River SpiderwartConsidered officially “invasive” here in Japan, that is according to the internet. I, personally, don’t think have ever seen the plant until the day I snapped this photo, which can mean a number of things. Photographed 27May25 at 14:34, edited at night of 12Jun25, published 14Jun25 at 20:28. By the way, recent inactivity here has been due to issues with the computer, which is currently resolving.
29Apr25: Dandelion SeedsPhotographed on 26Apr25 at 14:38, published 19:00.
27Apr25: Spanish Bluebell/ Tsurigane Suisen/ Hyacinthoides hispanicaFull force blooming lately. They are scented, faint and delicate. Photographed on 26Apr25 at 15:04, published 27th at 21:33.
24Apr25: Miyako Wasure/ Aster savatieriPhotographed 10:17, published 21:06.”Crack of Dawn” edit.
22Apr25: Forget Me Nots/ Wasure Nagusa /Myosotis scorpioidesPhotographed 16:21, published 21:51.
20Apr25: Spanish Bluebell/ Tsurigane Suisen/ Hyacinthoides hispanicaAs seen this afternoon at 15:52, published 21:04.
15Apr25: IrisMost probably the variety called Dutch Iris /Iris tingitana, started blooming since yesterday in my garden. The red dot, in case it bothers you, is a Camelia petal on the ground. Photo taken 10:55 published 21:25.
14Apr25: Kaji Ichigo /Rubus trifidusAccording to the internet, the plant belongs to the family of Blackberries/Raspberries. In a month or two, there will be edible berries, which I may sample. Photo taken 17:53 published 21:02.
09Apr25: Calla LilyOne of the first few buds spotted in the garden today. Photo taken 15:31 published 20:25
07Apr25: MuscariPhoto taken 15:29 published 20:24.
06Apr25: Asebi/ Pieris japonicaJapanese native, evergreen and poisonous. According to Wiki, farmers used the infused solution as insecticide back when we did things ourselves. Currently blooming, feels dry and surprisingly light to the touch, that is according to myself. Photo taken 05Apr25 at 15:45, published 06Apr at 21:22.
06Apr25: Cherry Blossom BudsCurrently half bloomed. Photo taken 16:11 published 19:32.
30Mar25: Hana Nira /Ipheion uniflorum /Spring Star Internet: “Leaves scented like chives but, NOT edible, can get you siiiick”. Photo taken 16:20 published 20:41
24Mar25: CamelliaA study in details. Photo taken 14:51 published 18:32.
23Mar25: HyacinthStart of the scented blossom season, also the hazy-pretty sunset season. Photographed 16:02 and published 19:15.
19Feb25: Prunus Mume / UmeWelcoming back the Ume buds. Cute as buttons, tough like diamonds. Seen them bloom like they don’t even notice snow/ice piling up on them little blossoms. Photo taken on 16Feb25 at sundown.Published on 19Feb25 at 16:08
17Feb25: Veronica Persica / StarryEyesOne of the first signs of spring. The belle in question here, probably is blue because someone decided to name her “O Inu No Fuguri” meaning, large dog’s testicles, successfully insulting both the plant and the entire population of good boys. “Starry Eyes” – Hoshi no Hitomi – eyes like stars – is said to be one of the alternate names, somehow way less commonly known.Photographed in late afternoon, 16Feb2025, published on 17Feb25 at 16:35.
Additional note on 18Feb25l I realized I talked about this last year(‘s Flower Journal) as well, well folks I am that baffled, please pardon me for repeating myself publicly.
