One flower I’ve definitely never seen in Seattle is the lycoris. I’d seen them in anime many times before coming to Japan, however, and thought they were some of the most beautiful red flowers in the world. Having been fortunate enough to see many lycoris flowers in person two years in a row, I can safely say that that opinion still holds true.

They bloom in October, and I usually see them in clusters near water. Their vivid red coloring stands out against the lush, green foliage they generally tower over. That was one thing that really surprised me the first time I saw these blooms in person: their height. Anime really didn’t offer the perspective necessary to absorb how tall they are. It’s quite striking, especially in the trim outfields by the Ibi River.

The only thing the flowers can improve on is the length of time they bloom. I wish I had longer to appreciate them!