Species and varieties in the National Collection of Flowering Cherries at
Keele University
Prunus 'Fukurokuju'
Sato-zakura Group
[Syn: P. serrulata f. contorta Miyoshi; P. cerasus 'rosea-plena'].
Fukurokoju is one of the seven Chinese gods of fortune - longevity; this cultivar keeps flowering for a long time (c.3 weeks). Mentioned in Japan in 1886. It is the same cherry sold in Europe as P. cerasus 'Rosea-plena' from a Siebold introduction in 1866.
Prunus 'Hokusai' is a Collingwood Ingram selection in 1925 from closely related clones, but identical to 'Fukurokuju'.
A vase-shaped tree to 8 m high with a crown to 15m across. It forms large trees with big flowers - distinctive.
Forms clusters of 3 - 5 flowers, purplish pink in bud opening to pale pink (RHS 69-C). Flowers are c.5 cm dia., with 10 - 15 petals opening to a flat plane. Flowers late April - early May. The ovary is always visible.
Young foliage is bronze-green (RHS 152-A, 199-A).
Location
- One by William Smith Building; planted in 2008; tag 4158; square L8.