Cerasus ×moniwana

Japanese name: モニワザクラ （茂庭桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus ×moniwana

[Overview]
A small deciduous tree presumed to be a hybrid of Choji-zakura and Somei-yoshino.
The leaves are simple and alternate, obovate to oblong-obovate.
The leaf tip is pointed and the base is rounded.
The leaves are hairy on both sides.
Spreading hairs also grow abundantly on the leaf stalk, and the nectar glands are located on the upper part of the leaf stalk or at the base of the leaf blade.
In Fukushima it flowers in late April.
The flowers are borne 2–3 at a time in corymbs; they have 5 petals and are white at first, later turning pale reddish purple.
The upper edge of the petals has fine notches.
There are about 35 stamens.
The calyx tube is bell-shaped and tubular, with abundant spreading hairs on the outer surface; the calyx lobes are serrated and hairy on the outer surface.
Spreading hairs grow densely on the flower stalk and secondary flower stalks.
The inside of the scale leaves is densely covered with long curly hairs, and the upper part of the outer surface is also hairy.
Short hairs grow densely on the outside of the bracts, and long hairs grow sparsely on the upper part of the inner surface.

[History]
It was discovered by Konno Reizo in Moniwa, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
If it becomes troublesome by growing into a large tree in a garden, it is good to restrict the space available to 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 by spreading straw around the base, for example.
Also, it is better not to cut the branches needlessly if there is no need.
It is prone to many pests and diseases, so care is needed.

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