Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. L JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRIES A SHORT HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE PLANT LEGENDS CONNECTED WITH THE CHERRY BLOSSOM OF JAPAN BOTANICAL INFORMATION OF VALUE FROM THE ARNOLD ARBORATUM OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF VARIETIES D Office of A. E. Wohlert, Nurseryman, Narberth, Pa. Located on the direct road between Valley Forge, (General Washington’s winter quarters) and Philadelphia, about half way A. E. WOHLERT THE GARDEN NURSERIES MONTGOMERY AVENUE NARBERTH, PENNA. 8 MILES WEST OF BROAD ST. STATION, PHILA. LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE, NARBERTH 696 □ C Japanese Rose Flowering Cherries The Japanese Flowering Cherry, to be sure, is most effective when in bloom and the flowering season lasts with us about one month, counting from the earliest to the latest varieties. In the summer it is an attractive green tree. The glossy green leaves present an appearance equal to that of the finest shade trees we have. The tree grows, as in the case of some varieties, rather vigorously, rivaling the Maple in size; most of the va- rieties are medium growth and some rather dwarf. The weeping form of the Flowering Cherry makes a medium size tree. One variety is upright like the Lombardy Poplar and very useful in formal gardens. Some va- rieties are particularly adapted for shade trees and are successfully used as street trees. In the Fall, with the ripening of the leaves and the approach of cold weather, the foliage turns a brilliant red, rivaling the Scarlet Oak in appearance ; therefore, it is safe to say that few ornamental trees equal in value the Flowering Cherry for general purposes. Extracts from Bulletin of Arnold Arboratum “Eastern Asiatic Cherries. During the last few years the Arbore- tum has been engaged in studying the Cherry-trees of Eastern Asia, and has assembled a large collection of these plants, including most of the species and all the forms with double and otherwise abnormal flowers which are popular garden plants in Japan where the flowering of these trees is cele- brated by national rejoicings. All the world has heard of the Japanese Cherry-blossoms, and travellers in the East usually so arrange their jour- neys that they can be in Tokyo when the white flowers of fifty thousand trees of the Yoshinozakura ( Primus yedoensis) make a day of thanksgiv- ing, and the great trees in the long avenue of Cherry-trees (P. serrulata) at Koganei are covered with their rose-colored flowers. Well known to travellers, too, are the avenues of Cherry-trees at Arashi-yama near Kyoto and at Yoshino near Nara. The Cherry-trees which mean so much to the Japanese and delight all foreigners who visit Japan in early spring are perfectly hardy, and easy to grow here in New England ; and it is unfor- tunate that there is no hillside in the Arboretum which can be covered with these trees or no space where a long avenue of them can be planted, for the flowering of a great number of these trees might become as great a joy to the people of Boston as they are in Japan. Such collections of Cherry-trees might well form a part of the equipment for pleasure and instruction in all the northern cities of the country, but up to this time only Rochester, New York, is arranging to make a plantation of these trees to cover many acres of rolling hills in its great park on the shores of Lake Ontario.” 2 JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRIES. “Should you ask me what is the true patriotic spirit, I answer — it is the scent of the mountain cherry tree in the morning air.” The wild cherry seems to have existed in Japan from time immemorial, and still abounds in the woods of the Northern island, Yezo, where the Aino aborigines apply its bark to many purposes. In ancient times, how- ever, the plum tree, of Chinese importation, seems to have absorbed the at- tention of the court and people, and it was a later date that the cherry, the flower of the country, appears to have found its place in their affec- tions. Though early records refer frequently to the plum, there is no mention of the cherry earlier than the time of Richiu, the Emperor of the fifth century. It was reserved for a later Emperor, in the eighth century, to give it that importance as a national flower, which it has ever since re- tained. Whilst on a hunting expedition on Mount Mikasa, in the province Extract from J. Conder’s “The Floral Art of Japan” CHERRY BLOSSOMS “Among men, the samurai ; among flowers, the sakura,” is a familiar saying, which well expresses the patriotic pride with which this gay, flashy flower is regarded in Japan. The sentiment is also conveyed in the follow- ing lines by one of the national poets : “ Shikishima no Yamato gokoro zoo Hitotozvaba Asahi ni niwon Yamasakura bana 3 JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRIES. of Yamato, the Emperor Shomu, attracted by the beauty of the double cherry blossoms, composed the following’ short verse, which he sent, with a branch of the flower, to his favorite consort, Komio Kogo: “This gathered cherry branch can scarce convey A fancy of the blossom-laden tree, Blooming in sunlight; could I show it thee, Thoughts of its beauty would drive sleep away.” To satisfy the curiosity of the ladies of his court, the Emperor or- dered cherry trees to be planted near the Palace at Nara, and afterwards the custom was continued at each succeeding capital. In and near the modern capital, Tokio, are several spots renowned for their show of cherry trees, originally brought from Yoshino, and from the banks of the Sakura river in the province of Hitachi. It is said that cherry viewing first became a popular amusement in Yedo towards the lat- ter half of the seventeenth century. From that time all classes of the people, from the two-sworded samurai to the small tradesmen and menials, par- ticipated in the enjoyment. The green sward beneath the cherry trees was crowded with merry picnic parties of all classes, screened off with low colored curtains. One favorite resort, called Asukayama, at Oji, is often spoken of as the new Yoshino. It is a high, grassy bluff, overlooking an extensive plain on one side, and sloping down to the road of, the Oji vil- lage on the other. The eminence forms a park of cherry trees extending down the precipitous sides of the bank, so that the pedestrian sees the pinky white blossoms against the blue sky above him, and below him the pearly gray of the blossoms in the shadow of the cliff. In the old temple grove, now a public park, at Uyeno, there are a num- ber of fine trees of the single early-blossoming kind, called by the Japanese Higan-zakura, among which are some magnificent specimens of the weep- ing cherry. This latter species has pendant branches, drooping like the willow, and bears single white flowers, but no fruit ; and in this respect it is an exception to the general rule, that the trees of single blossom bear fruit whilst those of double blossom are fruitless. The fruit of the Japan- ese cherry tree is, however, at its best, insipid and worthless. These trees at Uyeno are said to have been planted by one of the Tokugawa regents in imitation of the hills at Yoshino ; they are all of majestic size, and pre- sent a gorgeous sight in April, with their pale pink blossoms seen partly against the blue sky, and partly against the rich foliage of the pines and cedars which surround the golden shrines and cenotaphs of the Shoguns. The single-blossom trees at Gotan-yama, a park in the suburb of Shinagawa, form a beautiful sight early in April. The season of this flower is one of high winds, and the soft petals of the full blown blossoms fall like snow, covering the pathways beneath. This simple fact is not without its attraction to the Japanese, who make much of the falling cherry petal in their poetry and other arts. “No man so callous but he heaves a sigh When o'er his head the zvither’d cherry flowers Come fluttering down. Who knozvsf the Spring s soft showrs May be but tears shed by the sorrozving sky.” — Chamberlain. 4 JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRIES. 1. OJOCHIN-ZAKURA. “Paper Lantern " It should be spelled Ochiochin. Means big lantern. Zakura means cherry. Should bloom light colors, big and double. (Large, white, semi-double, prolific.) 2. KO-FUGEN-ZAKURA. "Pink Saint." Its full name is Ko-Fugenzo. Ko means pink. Fugenzo means saints appearance. It should bloom pink, big double flowers. (Very striking.) 3. NADEN-ZAKURA. Should be Nauden. Means Southern Cattle. There are two kinds with this name; one is white, the other pink. (This is pink, double; tree; moderate grower). Fragrant. 4. AMA-NO-GAWA-ZAKURA. Means "River of Heaven." ( Milky Way). Up- right like poplar. Should bloom double pink. (Most desirable variety, new; grows like a lombardy poplar, a splendid show in the Spring). Effective as a formal tree. Blush pink; fragrant; very choice. 6. SHIRO-FUGENZO-ZAKURA. "White Saint." As No. 2 except with white flowers instead of pink. (Pink buds, flowers opening pale blush white, very large flowers.) 7. HIZAKURA. Its full name is Kan Hizakura. Kan means cold. Hizakura means deep pink cherry. It blooms in early part of year while weather is still cold. (One of the best). Buds almost crimson. Moderate or dwarf habit; prolific. 8. MI-KURUMA-GAESHI-ZAKURA. Mi when it is written before rum means certain respect. Kuruma means wheel, car or Riksha. Gaeshi means turn back, so it must mean that the flower is so beautiful that people cannot help to turn back to look at it again. (Semi-double brilliant pink flowers of medium size). Very prolific. 9. OKU-MIYAKO-ZAKURA. Semi-double, deep pink, late flowering variety. Extra fine; very large flowers. Weeping Cherry — No. II. Shidare-Higan-Zakura 11. SHIDARE-HIGAN-ZAKURA. “ Weeping Cherry." (Higan Shidare). Shidare means branches bent downward something like willow. Higan means when day and night are same length in Springtime, so it should bloom when day and night are same length. (Deep pink, single, early, weeping; one of the most prolific varieties.) Earliest of all. 12. BENI-HIGAN-ZAKURA. Beni means pinkish red. Higan, early, upright growing. No. 11 is the weeping form of this variety. Very desirable. A distinct type. 5 JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRIES. 13. FUJIZAN-ZAKURA. Fujizan is name of highest mountain in Japan. Perhaps you saw picture of it, something like snow top mountain. Blooms double white. (Extra choice, pure white). Possibly the best pure white. 14. SEKIZAN-ZAKURA. “ Sacred Gate” Seki means gate, one territory to other at olden times of Japan. Zan means mountain. It was operated something like toll gate is in this country, but not to collect money, but to keep out undesirables. It should bear deep pink, big double flowers. (Vigorous grower, deep pink or red double flowers, possibly the best of all; crimson buds.) 17. YEDO-ZAKURA. Yedo means old name for Tokyo from 15th century to 50 years ago, just as New York was called Amsterdam. It should bloom pink, double big flowers. (One of the best, vigorous. Splendid for shade or street trees, can be kept low, too.) 18. ASAHIYAMA-ZAKURA. "Sunrise.” Asahi means morning sun. Yama means hill. 19. MURASAKI-ZAKURA. Murasaki means purple. Zakura means cherry. Most striking; the only one of this color. ( Above translations by a Japanese resident of Philadelphia.) 20. HOSOKAWA-BENI-ZAKURA. Medium sized, pink, a very profuse bloomer. 21. JAMES H. VIETCH. Dark rose pink, double extra good. Red buds; vigorous habit. 23. CERASUS AVIUM ALBO PLENA. Double white flowering cherry; the double form of the European cherry. Grows into a handsome medium sized tree for the garden. 24. CERASUS AVIUM ROSEO PLENA. Double pink flowering cherry; a double rose colored form of the common European cherry. One of the most attractive trees in the garden ; fine for cut bloom. 12. CERASSUS (PRUNUS) SUBHIRTELLA. Graceful Spring Cherry. “This is the Japanese Spring Cherry which Mr. Wilson, after a year devoted in Japan to the study of Cherry-trees, calls ‘the most floriferous and perhaps the most delightful of all Japanese Cherries.’ It is a large, low-branched shrub rather than a tree and is not known as a wild plant. This Cherry is much planted in western Japan from northern Hondo southward, but it is not much grown in the eastern part of the Empire and is rarely found in Tokyo gardens. For this reason and as it does not reproduce itself from seed Prunus subhirtella is still rare in American and European collections. There are large plants in the Arboretum collection where they have been growing since 1894 and where, covered with their drooping pink flowers, they are objects of wonderful beauty. The value of Prunus subhirtella is increased by the fact that the flowers often remain in good condition for ten or twelve days, and longer than those of the other single-flowered Cherry-trees. This Cherry can be raised from soft wood cut- tings and by grafting on its own seedlings. These will grow into tall trees with long straight trunks ( Prunus subhirtella, var. ascendens) and in Japanese temple gardens are sometimes fifty feet high with trunks two feet in diameter. This is a common tree in the forests of central Japan, and grows also in southern Korea and central China. Until Wilson’s investigations in Japan in 1914 this tree seems to have been entirely unknown in western gardens. Raised from the seeds of Prunus subhirtella, which are produced in large quantities every year, it grows here rapidly and proves to be a handsome tree. It has the drooping flowers of the well-known Prunus pendula of gardens which is only a seedling form of P. subhirtella ascendens and for which the correct name is Prunus subhirtella variety pendula. This tree is not known to grow wild, but has for centuries decorated courtyards and temple grounds in central and northern Japan. The largest tree seen by Wilson was sixty-five feet tall with a head as broad as the height of the tree. There is a form of P. subhirtella (var. au- tumnalis ) with semidouble flowers which blooms in both spring and autumn. This is a shrub often cultivated in Tokyo gardens, and in the Arboretum first flowered in May, 1915.” {Extract from Bulletin No. 3 of the Arnold Arboratum, Harvard University.) 6 JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRIES. Partial List of Owners of JAPANESE ROSE FLOWERING CHERRY TREES (From A to Z) Mr. Wm. T. Abell Ardmore, Pa. Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, Pa. Dr. Geo. Fales Baker Rosemont, Pa. Mr. H. Tracy Balcom, 1193 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. H. H. Barton, Jr., “Walnut Hill” Holmesburg, Pa. Mr. E. F. Beale Strafford, Pa. Air. F. G. Bean Collegeville, Pa. Airs. L. S. Bent, Overbrook Philadelphia, Pa. Air. E. L. Blabon, Bryn Mawr Avenue Bryn Mawr, Pa. Airs. S. H. Bodine . Berwyn, Pa. Mr. Fred. Brill Merion, Pa. Mr. J. E. Brill, 62nd & Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. C. E. Brown, 5101 Overbrook Avenue Wynnefield, Pa. Air. J. E. Caldwell, “The Poplars” Bryn Mawr, Pa. Air. W. B. Chamberlin, Torresdale P. O. ,.... Andalusia, Pa. Airs. Chas. Chauncey Narberth, Pa. Dr. George W. Crile, 2620 Derbyshire Road Cleveland, O. Mr. J. Heron Crossman, Jr.. Rose Lane Haver ford, Pa. Airs. E. S. Dixon, Montgomery and Anderson Avenues Ardmore, Pa. Airs. Coleman Du Pont, 808 Broome Street Wilmington, Del. Mrs. Wm. Du Pont Alontpelier Station, Va. Mr. Henry Ellison, “Briar Hill” Rosemont, Pa. Airs. George C. Fraser, 300 South Street Morristown, N. J. Mr. Joseph AI. Harlan Alerion, Pa. Air. W. W. Harrison Glenside, Pa. Air. Chas. E. Hires Haverford, Pa. Air. A. F. Houston Coatesville, Pa. Mr. J. R. Jones, (Widener Bldg., Phila.) Bryn Mawr, Pa. Mr. Frank Le Bar, 6020 Overbrook Avenue, Overbrook Philadelphia, Pa. Airs. Howell Lloyd W. Conshohocken, Pa. Air. C. W. Morris, Rose Lane Haverford, Pa. Air. S. K. Mulford, 258 N. 3rd Street Philadelphia, Pa. Air. Edward McCorkendale ...Elkins Park, Pa. “Narbrook Park” Narberth, Pa. Air. E. K. Nelson Ridley Park, Pa. Airs. T. E. Newbold, Glenn Road Ardmore, Pa. Air. John B. Newkirk, 119 Montgomery Avenue Ardmore, Pa. Oak Grove Cemetery Association La Crosse, Wis. Air. Louis R. Page Bryn Mawr, Pa. Airs. T. W. Reath St. David’s, Pa. Mr. A. Howard Ritter, 126 Valley Road Ardmore, Pa. Air. I. W. Roberts Bala, Pa. Mr. A. G. Rosengarten St. David’s, Pa. Air. H. B. Rosengarten Malvern, Pa. Mr. Wm. R. Rossmassler, Glen Road Ardmore, Pa. Air. William L. Rowland Media, Pa. Dr. J. C. Salvas Wynnewood, Pa. Air. A. C. Shultz, 332 Llandrillo Road Cynwyd, Pa. Airs. Emmons Blaine Lake Forest, 111. Graceland Cemetery, 4038 N. Clark Street Chicago, 111. Airs. William Simpson, Jr., Overbrook Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. Allen Smith, Melrose Lane Radnor, Pa. Mr. Sidney Thayer Haverford, Pa. Mrs. G. A. Vanlennep Merion, Pa. Airs. Benjamin Warren Grasse Points Shores, Mich. Mr. T. T. Watson, 209 Pembroke Avenue Wayne, Pa. West Laurel Hill Cemetery Co., (Philadelphia) Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. R. G. Wood Conshohocken, Pa. Airs. L. E. Woodhouse Easthampton, N. Y. Dr. George Woodward, 7438 McCallum Street Philadelphia, Pa. Capt. George Zinn Rydal, Pa., and Somerset, Va. 7 PRICE LIST ...OF... Japanese Rose Flowered Cherries “Hardy from Coast to Coast” Amanogawa, Hizakura, Shidare Higan, Beni-Higan, Sekizan, Fujizan, Murasaki, Subhirtella, Ojochin, James H. Vietch, and all Weeping Forms. Each Five 3 to 4 ft. high $2.00 $8.50 4 to 5 ft. high 2.50 10.50 5 to 6 ft. high 3.50 16.00 6 to 8 ft. high, according to quality 5.00 22.00 8 to 10 ft. high, according to quality 7.50 32.00 10 to 12 ft. high, according to quality 10.00 12 to 14 ft. high, according to quality 15.00 14 to 16 ft. high, according to quality 20.00 Ten $16.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 60.00 65.00 7500 100.00 Assorted Varieties — Our Selection 3 to 4 ft $1.25 4 to 5 ft 1.75 5 to 6 ft 2.50 6 to 8 ft 3.00 8 to 10 ft 4.00 10 to 12 ft 6.00 12 to 14 ft 7.50 14 to 16 ft 10.00 $10.00 12.50 20.00 25.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 75.00 Entrance and partial view of the Garden Nurseries on Montgomery Avenue, Lower Merion Township, near Narberth, Pa. "On this and adjacent ground, Washington’s Army encamped September 14th, 1777." 8