Prunus incisa Oshidori - Cherry

The Prunus incisa 'Oshidori' is an alternate variety of Japanese cherry tree with a bushy habit, modest size, and profuse flowering in early spring. In March-April, before the leaves appear, a profusion of clusters of double flowers in a light pink color bloom, followed by the formation of small black cherries in summer. Interesting for most of the year, this bush also has very beautiful red-orange foliage in autumn. Not demanding and generous, it will thrive in the sun, in any moist but well-drained soil.

The Prunus incisa, commonly called Dwarf Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree, is a hardy tree of modest size, belonging to the large Rosaceae family. In its natural habitat, it grows spontaneously on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan. The Oshidori cultivar is a spontaneous hybrid discovered in the garden of a farmer located in the Shizuoka province, Japan. This plant has received an Award of Garden Merit in England for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden. This bush shows slightly less development than the species and has a slow growth. At maturity, it will not exceed 4m (13 ft 1 in) in height by 3m (9 ft 10 in) in width at the age of 15 years. With a naturally bushy and dense habit, it develops branches with an interesting design, appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts. The flowering takes place in spring, generally in March-April. The flowers, produced profusely, bloom before the leaves, gathered in pendulous clusters. They emerge from pink buds and then open into semi-double to double corollas, 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) in diameter, in a light and fresh pink color, punctuated with yellow stamens in the center. This flowering attracts pollinating insects that allow the flowers to transform into small brown to blackish drupes, resembling cherries, sought after by birds, but not edible for humans. The deciduous foliage is composed of alternate leaves, 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) long, oval in shape, finely and deeply toothed on the edges. They are light green in summer, before taking on a flamboyant red-orange color in autumn in this Oshidori variety.

Its twisted line drawn by sinuous branches makes the flowering cherry tree suitable for bonsai cultivation. With slow growth, this small tree, a symbol of renewal, is suitable for small gardens as well as potted cultivation on a terrace. You can plant it in a flowerbed or as a solitary tree, in a hedge, or even in rows. 'Oshidori', not demanding, is content with a well-prepared, not too dry soil, tolerates heat and the presence of limestone in the soil without excess. It can be grown in most climates. For example, in a hedge or flowerbed, it can be associated with other spring-flowering shrubs, simultaneously or staggered, such as ornamental apple trees, flowering peaches, Japanese quinces, Chinese almond trees, hawthorns, etc.