Shirufugen bonsai : Banksia Park Cherry Grove . . .
The delicate blossoms of Banksia Park’s cherry trees may be fleeting, but the history of this beautiful grove tells a story of resilience and lasting friendship.
In February 1980, the Japanese Government donated 100 flowering cherry trees to the people of Victoria to mark the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira (大平正芳). Having fought disease, drought and relocation in their 40-year life, the trees are now being maintained and cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers and Parks Victoria rangers.
They were originally planted at Jells Parks in Dandenong Valley Parklands but was relocated to Banksia park in 1988. In the month of October visitors flock to the park to participate in Hanami – a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of Cherry Blossoms or Sakura.
The Cherry Friends started in 2015 when a group of Japanese-born residents began feeding and hand watering the trees, vastly improving the health of the grove.
Since 2018, the Cherry Friends has hosted a visiting arborist Mr Kazumi from Japan to conduct a pruning masterclass with Parks Victoria rangers and the volunteers. This labour of love is celebrated at an annual ‘Sakura’ (cherry blossom) Picnic Day. (Parks Victoria)
Shirofugen cherries are deciduous trees, growing to a height and spread of 15-20 ‘. The tree shape is considered spreading, and flat-topped. With time, older trees may grow branches that arch downward. The flowers are small (though they have as many as 20 - 36 petals), double, and are borne on long peduncle/pedicels in rather loose clusters. When the bloom first appears it is pink in the bud, but soon turns white as the petals open. At the end of the flowering period the petal color reverts to a pink-mauve with darker centers. Leaves are crimson-flushed bronze when young, but then turn green during the summer. Leaves are 4" long, lance-shaped and tapered. In the fall the leaves turn a bronze to red color for a short time before they are shed. The bark is typical of other flowering cherries with the prominent corky lenticels. (Abstract from Washington State University website)
This is one of the original trees relocated from Jells Park. The main trunk has broken off. Thanks to the great care of the volunteers and park rangers, new branches are sprouting against all odds. This vivacious structure shone like a beautiful bonsai to me under late evening light. The weather was rather unstable, this spotlight effects through shifting clouds lasted for just a few seconds.
Shirufugen bonsai : Banksia Park Cherry Grove . . .
The delicate blossoms of Banksia Park’s cherry trees may be fleeting, but the history of this beautiful grove tells a story of resilience and lasting friendship.
In February 1980, the Japanese Government donated 100 flowering cherry trees to the people of Victoria to mark the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira (大平正芳). Having fought disease, drought and relocation in their 40-year life, the trees are now being maintained and cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers and Parks Victoria rangers.
They were originally planted at Jells Parks in Dandenong Valley Parklands but was relocated to Banksia park in 1988. In the month of October visitors flock to the park to participate in Hanami – a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of Cherry Blossoms or Sakura.
The Cherry Friends started in 2015 when a group of Japanese-born residents began feeding and hand watering the trees, vastly improving the health of the grove.
Since 2018, the Cherry Friends has hosted a visiting arborist Mr Kazumi from Japan to conduct a pruning masterclass with Parks Victoria rangers and the volunteers. This labour of love is celebrated at an annual ‘Sakura’ (cherry blossom) Picnic Day. (Parks Victoria)
Shirofugen cherries are deciduous trees, growing to a height and spread of 15-20 ‘. The tree shape is considered spreading, and flat-topped. With time, older trees may grow branches that arch downward. The flowers are small (though they have as many as 20 - 36 petals), double, and are borne on long peduncle/pedicels in rather loose clusters. When the bloom first appears it is pink in the bud, but soon turns white as the petals open. At the end of the flowering period the petal color reverts to a pink-mauve with darker centers. Leaves are crimson-flushed bronze when young, but then turn green during the summer. Leaves are 4" long, lance-shaped and tapered. In the fall the leaves turn a bronze to red color for a short time before they are shed. The bark is typical of other flowering cherries with the prominent corky lenticels. (Abstract from Washington State University website)
This is one of the original trees relocated from Jells Park. The main trunk has broken off. Thanks to the great care of the volunteers and park rangers, new branches are sprouting against all odds. This vivacious structure shone like a beautiful bonsai to me under late evening light. The weather was rather unstable, this spotlight effects through shifting clouds lasted for just a few seconds.