‘Mingguiqueqiao’: A New Prunus serrulata Cultivar

Abstract

Prunus serrulata, a widely distributed species in China and Japan, has gained increasing popularity in China as a result of its beautiful and colorful spring flowers. It typically grows in valleys and forests at altitudes of 500 to 1500 m, and can reach heights of 3 to 8 m (Li and Bruce 2003). The inflorescences of P. serrulata are corymbose-racemose or subumbellate and consist of two to three flowers, creating a stunning garden view (Wang 2014). Prunus campanulata is a subtropical species distributed in China. It typically grows in valleys and forests at altitudes of 100 to 600 m, and can reach heights of 3 to 8 m. Prunus campanulata has red-rose flowers, and two to four flowers cluster in an umbel. Because of its early flowering and bright colors, it is often used for hybridization with other species to gain new varieties of high ornamental value (Wang 2014). Recently, a new cultivar of P. serrulata, ‘Mingguiqueqiao’, has been developed by Nanjing Forestry University in China. ‘Mingguiqueqiao’ consists of ‘Minggui’ and ‘queqiao’. ‘Minggui’ is part of the name of the horticultural company and ‘queqiao’ is a beautiful symbol derived from traditional Chinese culture. This variety was authorized by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China (No. 20210218) in 2021, and originated from two breeding populations: P. campanulata ‘Youkou’ and P. serrulata ‘Yaebeni-ohshima’. The flowering of ‘Mingguiqueqiao’ showcases a captivating landscape and also exhibits remarkable environmental adaptability. As a result of its robust adaptability, ‘Mingguiqueqiao’ serves as an excellent choice for landscaping purposes.

Keywords

• adaptability
• cultivar
• landscape tree