Prunus subhirtella

Prunus subhirtella
Cultivar 'Pendula', "Weeping Higan Cherry"
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Prunus
Subgenus:	Cerasus
Species:	P. subhirtella
Binomial name
Prunus subhirtella Miq.

Prunus subhirtella (Prunus × subhirtella) or Prunus pendula sometimes also called winter-flowering cherry,spring cherry, Higan cherry, or rosebud cherry is a small deciduous flowering tree originating in Japan, but unknown in the wild. It is probably of hybrid origin between Prunus incisa and Prunus spachiana.

Prunus subhirtella bears white to pink flowers which may emerge intermittently from autumn through to spring, and small black fruit.

Several garden forms are known. The variety 'Jugatsu-zakura' (incorrectly known as Prunus × subhirtella 'Autumnalis') is widely grown for its propensity to flower during mild winter weather.

The flowers can be used as indoor decorations.

The leaves of P. subhirtella have some garden value for their autumn colour. The cultivar P. × subhirtella 'Autumnalis Rosea' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Closeup of leaves

Closeup of bark

A Higan cherry tree in full flower during late December in Boston's Public Garden.

Miharu Takizakura, perhaps the most famous tree in Japan

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Wikipedia