Choryo

Prunus 'Choryo'

Sato-zakura Group

syn Prunus 'Matsumae-usiogaoka'

Selected and raised by Mr Masatoshi Asari in Matsumae at the southern tip of Hokkaido, Northern Japan (parentage not disclosed).

This was one of the original 79 flowering cherry scions sent to the UK by Mr Asari in 1993 which were then propagated at the Bridgemere Nurseries in North Staffordshire. Until 2015 its name was ‘Matsumae-usiogaoka’. However, in early 2015, we received information from Japan that Mr Asari had renamed it in 1996 after some words appearing in the anthem of a local school in southern Hokkaido, possibly the one in Matsumae township where he had taught for many years. As its previous name had not been validly published, he was perfectly entitled to do this, so it should now be called ‘Choryo’.

Pale pink to white medium to large sized semi‑double flowers, mid season. Young foliage is deeply bronze‑coloured.

Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit 2012 (as ‘Matsumae-usiogaoka’).

Location

• One in the Memorial Garden; square K11; tag 4214; planted 2012.