Prunus subhirtella

Prunus subhirtella is a species of Prunus native to Japan, where it is known as Yamazakura. It is a deciduous tree that typically grows to 15-25 feet tall with a spreading, rounded crown. The tree is widely cultivated for its attractive form and early spring bloom of pink to white flowers.

Description

Prunus subhirtella is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with a broad, rounded crown. The bark is smooth and gray, with horizontal lenticels. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to elliptic, 5–13 cm long and 2.5–6.5 cm broad, with a short petiole and a serrate or doubly serrate margin. The flowers are 2.5 cm diameter, with five white to pinkish petals, produced in racemes of two to five together in early spring.

Cultivation

Prunus subhirtella is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree in temperate regions worldwide. It is valued for its attractive shape and its profusion of flowers in early spring, before the leaves emerge. The cultivar 'Autumnalis' is popular for its unusual characteristic of blooming sporadically throughout the winter, whenever the weather is mild.

Varieties

There are several varieties of Prunus subhirtella, including:

• Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis' (Winter Flowering Cherry): This variety blooms in the fall and winter, producing pale pink flowers.
• Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula' (Weeping Higan Cherry): This variety has a weeping habit, and is often used in bonsai.
• Prunus subhirtella 'Rosea' (Pink Higan Cherry): This variety produces pink flowers.

Uses

In addition to its use as an ornamental tree, Prunus subhirtella is also used in bonsai and traditional Japanese garden design. The wood is hard and has been used for small items such as tool handles and pegs.

See also

• List of Prunus species
• Cherry blossom