Benigasa

Prunus 'Benigasa'

Sato-zakura Group

[syn. P. ‘Matsumae-beni-gasa’]

Selected and raised by Mr Masatoshi Asari in Matsumae at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Northern Japan in 1963 from hybridizing P. ‘Itokukuri’ with a double-flowered Sato-zakura.

It produces large (5 to 6 cm dia.) double flowers (50 to 60 petals) pink flowers, three to four from one peduncle, which tend to be pendant. The pistils within the flowers tend to become phylloid (leaf-like) while some flowers become hose-in-hose. The flowers are sterile. Flowering season is late (H. Kurata).

Selected in 1961 by Mr Masatoshi Asari from seedlings of a natural hybrid produced from P. ‘Ito-kukuri’ x unidentified Sato-zakura.

The flowers resemble ‘Fugenzo’ but is much improved. Forms an umbrella shaped tree.

Manual of Japanese Flowering Cherries No. 71.

Location

• Opposite Holly Cross; square H7; tag 4168. Planted in 2011.