I heard there was a rare green cherry blossom tree next to Ashihara Bridge over the Shukugawa River, so I went to take a look.
(This tip came from canamolibro. Thank you!)
Here it is↓
This is the tree. From a distance, it looks like, “Hmm? Is it blooming?” but…
When you get closer, it really is blooming! 😳
It truly is a green cherry blossom!! That’s pretty rare.
There was a plate at the base of the tree that said “御衣黄桜（ぎょいこうさくら）” (Gyoiko cherry blossom).
What is Gyoiko-zakura?
Gyoiko-zakura is a cherry blossom that blooms around mid to late April, after the Somei Yoshino blossoms have fallen. It is one variety of Sato-zakura. Its newly opened flowers are pale green, gradually turn yellow, and eventually the centers of the petals become tinged with red.
※Quoted from HORTI by GreenSnap: 【希少な緑の桜】 御衣黄桜(ギョイコウザクラ)とは？花言葉や育て方は？
So the color changes little by little.
The Gyoiko-zakura next to Ashihara Bridge had some flowers that were still green, while others had started to take on a slightly reddish color.
Maybe this one has just bloomed?
This one is starting to change color.
According to the source quoted above,
the “Gyo” in Gyoiko-zakura refers to the clothing of nobles. The name is said to come from the fact that the green petals resemble the “moegi-iro” yellow-green color of clothing worn by nobles during the Heian period.
Where is it?
Here it is on the map↓
The Gyoiko-zakura is at the west-side entrance of the bridge.
It seems to be quite a rare variety.
I was feeling a little sad after the Somei Yoshino blossoms had fallen, but the Gyoiko-zakura is at its best right now.
Please do come and see it~
※canamolibro, thank you for the tip!!
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