Cherry blossom


More than 330 years old SHIDAREZAKURA
(cascade type cultivar of Prunus pendula)
in ODAWARA City of Kanagawa Prefecture

Family: Rosaceae
Japanese name for depicting this group: SAKURA
Habitat: mountain area
Height: 3-20m Blooming season: March-May

Prunus jamasakura: Japanese name is YAMAZAKURA; most
popular species in Japan. Often seen in mountainous areas. Red
leaves sprout at the same time as pinkish white flowers. Leaves
become red again in autumn.
Prunus pendula: Japanese name is EDOHIGAN; leaves sprout
after its pinkish white flower blooms. It blooms earlier than other
species.
Prunus lannesiana: Japanese name is OOSHIMAZAKURA; green
leaves sprout at the same time with white flowers. Its leaves are
utilized as Japanese sweets.
Prunus sargentii: Japanese name is OYAMAZAKURA; red leaves
sprout at the same time as pink flowers.
Prunus incisa: Japanese name is MAMEZAKURA. Small tree, the
height is 3-8m. Leaves and flowers are small too.
Prunus campanulata: Japanese name is HIKANZAKURA;
pendulous red flowers bloom in January-March. This is a Chinese
cultivar

Popular cultivars are:
SOMEIYOSHINO: cultivar bred by Prunus pendula x Prunus
lannesiana. This is a most popular cultivar, planted in parks and
house gardens all over Japan.
SHIDAREZAKURA: cultivar of Prunus pendula; its branches hang
down and show flowers like a cascade.


A famous medieval age monk called SAIGYO wrote the following
poem about cherry blossom:

"Could I die under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom on a full-
moon night of spring?"

This poem is popular in Japan because we can feel like the monk
when we stand under cherry blossom trees in spring. It is a
heavenly experience, as if we are taking a shower of pink flowers.
SAKURA (cherry blossom) is the national flower of Japan,
although the floral symbol of the Japanese royal family is KIKU
(chrysanthemum). HANA means flower in Japanese, but we
sometimes use HANA for depicting SAKURA, especially in the
traditional literature world. The Japanese enjoy parties (drinking,
eating, and singing a song) under cherry blossom trees in spring
and this is called HANAMI (cherry blossom viewing). SAKURA is a
useful tree. We make crafts from SAKURA wood, the leaves are
used for wrapping foods or sweets, and the flowers are used for
making fragrant tea called "SAKURA YU".

Cherry blossom Website
The website "SAKURA SARASARA" introduces to Japanese cherry blossom cultivars with flower images. You can check various types of flower by visiting this website.
(Japanese version only)


willow and cherry blossoms
by the pond at TSURUGAOKA
HACHIMANGUU Shrine

People are enjoying
HANAMI

Cherry blossoms and
rape blossoms on the riverside

fallen petals of cherry blossoms
on the road


OOSHIMAZAKURA
(Prunus lannesiana)

cultivar called
TAMANAWAZAKURA,
a variant of
 SOMEIYOSHINO

KANHIZAKURA
(Prunus campanulata)

cascade-type cultivar
SHIDAREZAKURA

cultivar called
KAWAZUZAKURA,
bred from Prunus lannesiana
 x Prunus campanulata

multipetal cultivar callled
FUGENZOU

cultivar called OOKANZAKURA

cultivar called KEIOUZAKURA
bred from Prunus pseudo-cerasus x Prunus pendula


Japanese sweet called SAKURAMOCHI, wrapped with
the leaves of Prunus lannesiana
fragrant tea called SAKURA YU

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The background of this page is a traditional pattern
for KIMONO (Japanese costume)