Cerasus jamasakura var. jamasakura f. pubescens ("Usugeyamazakura")

Japanese name: ウスゲヤマザクラ （薄毛山桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus jamasakura var. jamasakura f. pubescens

[Overview]
A deciduous tree.
Yamazakura is highly variable, and this variety has slight hairs on the petioles, pedicels and other parts.
The trunk is purplish brown to dark purplish brown with conspicuous, horizontally elongated lenticels.
Young branches are purplish brown and glossy.
The color of the young leaves varies, but they are usually reddish.
The leaves are oblong-elliptic, with a sharply pointed tip and a rounded to wedge-shaped base.
The underside of mature leaves is tinged with powdery white.
There are 2 nectar glands on the upper part of the petiole.
The leaf margin has single serration with teeth ending in glands.
The flowers open at the same time as the leaves unfold.
The flowers are borne 2–4 in a corymb arising in the leaf axils; they are usually white, sometimes pale pink, with 5 petals.
The fruit is spherical, ripens to blackish purple, and is bitter.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by cuttings, or by grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained location.
If it becomes a problem by growing into a large tree in a garden, it is good to restrict the space for the roots with a fabric pot in order to control the size of the tree.
While it is a young tree, protect it from frost, for example by laying straw around the base.
Also, it is better not to cut the branches needlessly if there is no need.
It suffers from many pests and diseases, so care is needed.

[Notes]
Although it has hairs, it is called 'Usuge' because Kasumi-zakura, which has even more hairs, was formerly regarded as one of the variations of Yamazakura.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)