Two "Florence Nightingale" rose bushes bloom beautifully in the rose garden south of Palaceside Building in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Cream flowers recall the nurse who served in the Crimea — the "Lady with the Lamp." Oscar Wilde's "The Nightingale and the Rose" features red roses unrelated to this garden.
This variety commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (1899, Geneva), presented through nursing associations to Her Majesty the Empress, who planted them with His Majesty in September 2009 in this public garden.
The garden transplanted roses Emperor Showa received at Fukiage Palace; the present Emperor restored them here in 1996. Besides Florence Nightingale, 15 varieties including Izayoi and Koshin roses compete in beauty.