White azaleas on the verge of blooming at a cardiology clinic in Suzuka, Mie. What does seasonal greenery contribute to a space where people come to be cared for?

Borage produces star-shaped flowers in a blue so distinctive it was used as the reference color for the Virgin Mary in Renaissance painting. It is also edible, medicinal, and easier to grow than most herbs.

Phalaenopsis orchids are the default celebration gift in Japanese business culture. The preference for 3 or 5 stems has roots older than the flower itself.

Muscari looks like a cluster of tiny grapes in purple-blue. Plant the bulbs once in autumn, and they return every spring — for years, without replanting.

Hon-shakunage is the only rhododendron native to Japan's mountains. When it flowers in a garden, it carries something of the mountain environment with it.

A 2009 Science paper revealed the aerodynamic secret of maple seeds. The same principle appears in dronedesign and ceiling fans. Here is what the garden tree outside your window has figured out.

Small as a coin and bright as summer, sanvitalia blooms continuously from June through November. A beginner-friendly annual that asks for little and gives a lot.

Nemophila transforms fields into oceans of blue each spring. Here is what makes this delicate American native so beloved in Japanese flower parks — and how to grow it at home.

Five warning signs that a tree poses a fall risk — and why acting before typhoon season matters. A field guide from a Mie Prefecture tree care specialist.

Just seeing trees through a window has measurable benefits — shorter hospital stays, reduced amygdala activity, and improved wellbeing in care settings. Here's what the research says, and why tree maintenance matters beyond aesthetics.