truncate; open clear pink, slightly fading with age with about 30 petals, 3 

 to 5 in tight clusters. 



This selection is considered by many flower lovers to be the finest of all 

 the double pink Japanese cherries. It is named after a mountain in Japan. 

 In 1930 Russell reported 240 trees in Potomac Park, mostly around Hains 

 Point. 



Mikuruma-gaeshi (The Royal Carriage Returns): Habit; a stiffly 

 upright tree up to 25 ft. high and approximately 15 ft. wide with long 

 ascending branches. Leaves; brownish-green while unfolding becoming 

 greener as they expand. Flowers; pink in bud fading to almost white at 

 maturity with pink margins on each petal, approximately 5.5 cm. across 

 from 2 to 5 in a cluster. 



This tree once so impressed a former Japanese Emperor as he rode by it 

 in his carriage that he had the driver return to it so that he could get a 

 second look. Thus, this tree has been given the Japanese name 

 Mikuruma-gaeshi, which when translated means, "The Royal Carriage 

 Returns." 



Shirayuii (Snow White): Habit; an open upright spreading tree to 20 ft. 

 with dark brownish-gray branches. Leaves; pale brown while young 

 becoming green with maturity. Flowers; single or at times with 1 or 2 

 extra petals; pinkish in bud and fading later to pure white up to 3 cm. 

 across in clusters of 2 to 4 with short stiff stalks. 



According to Russell, 5 this is a very free blooming selection that can 

 easily be distinguished from other white Japanese cherries by its hairy 

 flower stalks (pedicels). 



Somei-yoshino: Habit; a round-topped, wide spreading tree that 

 reaches 30 to 50 ft. at maturity. Leaves; bright green while unfolding, 

 turning darker with age. Flowers; pale pink when opening later turning 

 almost white. Often becoming pinkish at base before falling, in clusters of 

 2 to 5. This hybrid cherry is of unknown Japanese origin. It was first dis- 

 covered in Tokyo about 1872 after it had been planted around the Impe- 

 rial Museum now called the National Museum at Ueno. Upon observing 

 that this cherry was different, Japanese botanists at the time called it 

 Somei-Yoshino. It is now perhaps one of the most popular flowering 

 cherry tree selections in Japan as well as in the United States. 



Surugadai-nioi: Habit; tree 20 ft. high by 20 ft. wide with spreading 

 branches. Leaves; bronze-green while becoming green with age. Flowers; 

 single, fragrant white with narrow wide-spaced petals that generally do 

 not touch. 



The Japanese name Surugadai denotes a place in Yedo where visitors 

 stand to view Fujiyama. 



Takinioi (Fragrant Cascade): Habit; a small tree approximately 15 ft. 

 high by 15 ft. wide with many branches and a rounded, flattened crown. 

 Leaves; bronze-green when unfolding maintaining color as they expand. 



5 Russell, "Japanese Flowering Cherries. 

 58 



