Prunus 'Gyoiko'

Gyoiko’ belongs to an unique group of greenish to green flowering cherries. Although one wonders why such forms would be selected and cultivated, they are worth preserving for their cultural and horticultural history. Wybe Kuitert, the author of Japanese Flowering Cherries (Timber Press 1999) notes that green-flowered cultivars are ancient, having been mentioned in a 1780 tourist guide of Kyoto Miyako meisho zue. ‘Gyoiko’ translates to “colored court-robes”, the green, white and purple garments that noble women would wear in ancient Japan. Its name is apt, given how the flowers of ‘Gyoiko’ have green, white, and pink flowers. The Morris Arboretum has mature trees that do flower well, although they require close up examination as they are not visible afar. Gyoiko’ belongs to an unique group of greenish to green flowering cherries. Although one wonders why such forms would be selected and cultivated, they are worth preserving for their cultural and horticultural history. Wybe Kuitert, the author of Japanese Flowering Cherries (Timber Press 1999) notes that green-flowered cultivars are ancient, having been mentioned in a 1780 tourist guide of Kyoto Miyako meisho zue. ‘Gyoiko’ translates to “colored court-robes”, the green, white and purple garments that noble women would wear in ancient Japan. Its name is apt, given how the flowers of ‘Gyoiko’ have green, white, and pink flowers. The Morris Arboretum has mature trees that do flower well, although they require close up examination as they are not visible afar.