Cerasus ×kubotana ("Takaneoyamazakura")

Japanese name: タカネオオヤマザクラ （高嶺大山桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus ×kubotana

[Overview]
A deciduous tree presumed to be a hybrid of Oyama-zakura and Takane-zakura, with characteristics intermediate between the two.
It is occasionally found in the mountains.
Leaves are simple and alternate, broadly obovate, 7–9 cm long and 5–6 cm wide, with doubly serrate margins.
The leaves are hairless on both sides.
The petiole is 1.5–2 cm long and hairless.
The flowers are borne in umbels arising from the leaf axils; they are pale pink with 5 petals and open in early April.
The petals are broadly ovate, about 1.3 cm long.
The pistil is about 1.5 cm long, and the style is hairless.
The calyx tube is bell-shaped, about 7 mm long; the calyx lobes are ovate, about 5 mm long, entire, and sparsely hairy.
The fruit is about 1 cm in diameter and ripens black.

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

[Notes]
The specific epithet of the scientific name was dedicated to Hideo Kubota.

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