Species and varieties in the National Collection of Flowering Cherries at
Keele University
Prunus 'Yae-murasaki-zakura'
Sato-zakura Group
Syn. Prunus 'Matsumae-yae-murasaki-zakura'
The Japanese name derives from a purplish tint in the rosy-pink flower – it means Double Purple Cherry.
A slow but healthy growing cultivar reaching only 3 m after 20 years so excellent for small gardens. Most commentators consider it worthy of being grown more widely. Mature trees have a broad umbrella-shape, in habit resembling 'Choshu-hizakura' and ‘Kanzan’. It is extremely floriferous, covering itself with purplish-pink blossom over a long period in late-April to early May.
Winter buds are a rather vivid red colour, leading to bright red flower buds in Spring. The large semi-double (i.e. 8-10 petals) bluish rose-pink flowers 3.5 – 4 cm dia. are produced in great numbers and hang in umbels of 3-4 blooms on long drooping stems among the coppery red foliage. Flowers are normally semi-double but can be single. Flowers of this cultivar are said to have a strong almond scent.
Emergent leaves are reddish-copper coloured, later becoming deep green. They turn a brilliant orange in autumn.
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit 2012.
Location
- Memorial Garden; Square K11; Tag 4191. Planted in 2012.