Cerasus spachiana var. koshiensis ("Koshinohiganzakura")

Japanese name: コシノヒガンザクラ （越の彼岸桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus spachiana var. koshiensis

[Overview]
A deciduous tree about 8 m tall.
The leaves are obovate to broadly obovate, 7–10 cm long and 3.7–5.7 cm wide, with a tail-like pointed tip.
There are 8–14 pairs of lateral veins, and the veins on the underside are densely hairy.
The leaf margin has sharp doubly serrate teeth that are sometimes incised.
The flowers open before the leaves unfold.
The flowers are borne 2–3 in umbels from the leaf axils and are pale pink with 5 petals.
The petals are large, 1.5 cm long.
The lower part of the style is hairy.
The flower stalk is very short.
The pedicels and calyx are hairy.

[History]
It was discovered in the mountains of Minotani, Johana-cho, Nanto, Toyama, reported in 1930 by Koizumi Genichi, and formally published in 1932.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained location.
If a garden-planted tree growing large would be a problem, it is good to limit the space for the roots with a fabric pot in order to control the size of the tree.
While it is still a young tree, protect it from frost by spreading straw around the base, for example.
Also, it is better not to cut branches needlessly if it is not necessary.
Care is needed because pests and diseases are numerous.

[Notes]
There are theories that it is a hybrid of Edo-higan and Oyama-zakura, of Edo-higan and Kinki-mamezakura, or of Edo-higan and Kasumi-zakura, and it is sometimes treated as a subordinate classification of Ko-higan-zakura.
Its numbers are declining, and it is designated a natural monument of Toyama.

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