Autumn Flowers in Japan: Higanbana, Hagi, and Kinmokusei
Today I’d like to write about some flowers that mark the arrival of autumn in Japan.
As the last blossoms of Sarusuberi (Lagerstroemia indica) fade, new flowers start to appear, signalling the seasonal shift from summer to autumn.
Lycoris radiata
One of the first is the delicate Higanbana (Lycoris radiata), also known as the red spider lily. Around mid-September, this striking flower blooms in time for Higan (彼岸), a Buddhist holiday held at the autumn and spring equinox. Almost all Buddhist sects in Japan observe this feast, which dates back to the 8th century when farmers had more time for religious practices. A common custom during Higan is to clean family graves, and it is around cemeteries that spider lilies often grow, reinforcing their deep cultural symbolism.
Profile: Higanbana – ヒガンバナ – 彼岸花
- Latin name: Lycoris radiata
- Common name: Red Spider Lily
- Origin: China
- Height: 60–70 cm
- Bloom: September
- Soil: Sand/clay
- Light: Sun
- Hardiness: 7a–9b (bulbs overwinter best in a frost-free, dark place at 7–13°C)
Lespedeza bicolor var. japonica
Another flower closely tied to the Higan season is Hagi (Lespedeza bicolor var. japonica), also known as bush clover. This plant is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and is even celebrated as one of the seven flowers of autumn (aki no nanakusa, 秋の七草). While these autumn flowers do not have a special festival like the spring herbs, they are often showcased in gardens and parks.
Hagi is popular not only for its graceful beauty but also for its practical uses. It can bind nitrogen in its roots, helping to enrich poor soil and support other plants. It is also planted to stabilise embankments. In Japan, Hagi tunnels in parks create magical walkways during the blooming season.
Profile: Hagi – ハギ – 萩
- Latin name: Lespedeza bicolor var. japonica
- Common name: Bush Clover, Japanese Clover
- Origin: Japan
- Height: 1–3 m
- Bloom: July–October
- Soil: Well-drained, thrives in poor soils
- Light: Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness: 4a–7b (dies back in winter, regrows in spring)
- Note: Considered invasive in some parts of the US
Osmanthus fragrans
Finally, there is Kinmokusei (Osmanthus fragrans), or sweet osmanthus, a flower strongly associated with early autumn in Japan. Its small orange blossoms release an unforgettable fragrance that fills the air. In China, kinmokusei is widely used in cuisine, while in Japan, its popularity peaked in the 1970s—though in a less charming way. At that time, its scent was commonly used in toilet air fresheners, leading many Japanese to associate the fragrance with bathrooms rather than gardens. Because of this, it is rarely planted in new gardens today, although it remains common in temple grounds, parks, and older gardens.
Profile: Kinmokusei – キンモクセイ – 金木犀
- Latin name: Osmanthus fragrans
- Common name: Sweet Osmanthus, Fragrant Olive
- Origin: Asia
- Height: 3–12 m
- Bloom: September–October
- Soil: Well-drained, tolerates clay
- Light: Sun to shade
- Hardiness: 7–10 (evergreen shrub)
Together, Higanbana, Hagi, and Kinmokusei mark the arrival of autumn in Japan. Each flower carries its own cultural meaning and natural beauty—whether tied to Buddhist traditions, classical poetry, or the unmistakable scent of the season.
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With twelve years of professional landscaping experience under her belt, Anika Ogusu is your perfect guide to the world of Japanese gardens. Her love of nature began early, in the woods near her childhood home and the garden of her grandmother’s house. During her teenage years she developed a strong interest in Japanese culture, and after university she decided to combine her love of Japan and gardens into a profession. Anika started her career as chief gardener in charge of the perennial valley at the Botanical Garden in Hamburg, Germany, then moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. For two years she apprenticed under local landscape designers and learned the art of Japanese garden design, construction and maintenance. Now, in partnership with Real Japanese Gardens (www.japanesegardens.jp), her wish is to spread the magic of Japanese gardens to the rest of the world. Her in-depth guide books on gardens throughout Japan are available in eBook format or paperback. In her free time, Anika enjoys exploring her adopted country (especially green moss gardens), and soaking up nature and any details that interest her.
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With twelve years of professional landscaping experience under her belt, Anika Ogusu is your perfect guide to the world of Japanese gardens. Her love of nature began early, in the woods near her childhood home and the garden of her grandmother’s house. During her teenage years she developed a strong interest in Japanese culture, and after university she decided to combine her love of Japan and gardens into a profession. Anika started her career as chief gardener in charge of the perennial valley at the Botanical Garden in Hamburg, Germany, then moved to Tokyo in pursuit of her dream. For two years she apprenticed under local landscape designers and learned the art of Japanese garden design, construction and maintenance. Now, in partnership with Real Japanese Gardens (www.japanesegardens.jp), her wish is to spread the magic of Japanese gardens to the rest of the world. Her in-depth guide books on gardens throughout Japan are available in eBook format or paperback. In her free time, Anika enjoys exploring her adopted country (especially green moss gardens), and soaking up nature and any details that interest her.
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2 Comments on “Autumn Flowers in Japan: Higanbana, Hagi, and Kinmokusei”
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I had no idea there were seven herbs of autumn as well. Thanks for sharing that!
I think, there are also “7 herbs of summer” in one garden. Maybe Mukojima Hyakkaen.. But like 7 herbs of autumn, there is no special meaning like by those of spring..