Cerasus ×tschonoskii nothovar. tschonoskii ("Nikkozakura")

Japanese name: ニッコウザクラ （日光桜）
Scientific name: Cerasus ×tschonoskii nothovar. tschonoskii

[Overview]
A deciduous tree presumed to be a hybrid of Choji-zakura and Kasumi-zakura.
It is found in areas where Choji-zakura and Kasumi-zakura grow together, and is especially common in the Nikko region.
The leaves are obovate-elliptic to oblong, 6.5–11 cm long and 2.6–5.2 cm wide, with a tail-like pointed tip and a rounded to obtuse, sometimes broadly wedge-shaped, base.
The teeth are doubly serrate, somewhat incised.
The upper surface has sparse hairs on the veins, and the lower surface has dense spreading hairs on the veins.
There is a pair of glands at the base of the leaf.
The petiole is 0.8–1.6 cm long.
The flowers open before the leaves unfold and are pale pink, 5-petaled, 2–2.2 cm across.
The petals are round to broadly elliptic, about 9 mm long.
The pistil is about 13 mm long.
The calyx tube is cylindrical, and the calyx lobes are ovate with toothed margins; both are hairy.
The flower stalk is 0.2–1.1 cm and the pedicel is 2–3 cm, with spreading hairs.
The fruit is about 9 mm across and ripens to black.
It is highly variable, and many individuals are closer to Choji-zakura than to Kasumi-zakura.
It is distinguished from Choji-zakura by its flower size and by its petals, which are round to broadly elliptic and slightly longer, but some individuals are difficult to distinguish.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or grafting.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
If it becomes a problem by growing into a large tree in a garden, it is good to control its size by restricting the space available to the roots with a fabric pot.
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 branches needlessly if there is no need.
It has many pests and diseases, so care is needed.

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