Cultivars of Japanese Plants at Brookside Gardens-II

Second in a series

Cultivars of Japanese Barry R. Yinger Carl R. Hahn Plants at Brookside ~ardens-II

Koten Engei O Interest in the vanous species groups of cultivars is cyclical, being accompamed by recurrent The Japanese employ a unique system of horticul- waves of financial speculation in them. ture called koten engei, a term that resists easy Historically, many species have been treated as translation but whose meaning is approximated by subjects for koten engei selection in Japan. Some "cultivation of classical plants." In this traditional are not grown now, but others-such as cultivars style of horticulture: of Rohdea japomca, Asarum, and Selagmella ~ The plants grown are groups of vanants of tamanscma-have enjoyed endunng, if cyclical, species that, in their original form, are of modest interest for nearly 300 years. Some of the plants demeanor. Most of the species are native to Japan that will be descnbed in our series are, or have and have insignificant or scarcely showy flowers. been, part of the cult of koten engei and as such ~ The variants are usually selections of mu- have, or have had, acceptable cultivar names. The tated forms rather than hybrids. In most cases vari- first group of cultivars treated below-selections ations are of leaf shape and color rather than of of Ardisia 7apomca-are part of the modern and floral characteristics. classical koten engei tradition. ~ The kinds and degrees of variation are care- fully classified and named, and certain kinds of variation are more valuable than others. A judged The Series weak constitution is usually a "plus." ~ The plants are always grown in pots instead This article is part of Brookside Gardens’s ongoing of in the garden. The pots are thin, porous raku effort to reduce the considerable confusion in the ware, usually with rough surfaces, shiny blacl_ nomenclature of cultivated plants from Japan. Our glazes, and simple, fanciful decorations. Certain principal sources of information in this effort are styles are appropnate for certam cultivar groups. the catalogs of nurseries that deal in a wide range ~ Cultivars are assigned names that often al- of cultivated plants. We have also consulted the lude to people, places, or events in classical very few classic and modem Japanese texts that Chinese or Japanese history. list and illustrate cultivated plants. Some of the ~ The cultivars are evaluated and ranked by names we publish may have to be changed as we societies devoted exclusively to variants of single find more sources of information. This long-term, species. The rankings are published penodically on serial effort should yield a reliable catalog of valid a chart called a melkan, which recalls in its format cultivar names for a wide range of Japanese culti- the classical ranking board /banzuke~ of sumo vated plants. wrestling. The societies stage public exhibitions of In the first installment of this series (published the plants. in Arnoldia, vol. 43, no. 4, pages 3-19, Fall 1983~, 8

we described the special collections program in Commission, gave kind and invaluable assistance which the plants considered here are acquired, in preparmg the manuscript, for which we sin- maintained, and evaluated at Brookside Gardens, cerely thank them. Wheaton, Maryland, a publicly supported botani- cal and display garden of the Montgomery County, Maryland, park system. We also de- The Cultivars _ scribed in detail our approach to evaluating the The descriptions are of mature new growth in acceptability of existing Japanese names as valid early summer. The leaves of some cultivars are cultivar names, based on our interpretation of the different at other the rules and recommendations set forth in the seasons, particularly during colder when and red tones International Code of Nomenclature for Culti- seasons, pink appear. vated Plants. We wish to establish and preserve in the Western literature legitimate Japanese cul- Ardisia iaponica (ThunbI Bl. ’Amanogawa’ tivar names tor the plants we are growing and to [Milky Way galaxy] (Yinger Collection No. 805) assign and a suitable name where none register Leaves of and exists that satisfies the Code Readers interested many shapes patterns, puckered and often twisted, usually somewhat elongated or in the details of our for procedure judging existing bearing large lobes of irregular sizes, 4 to 9 cm by 1 names should consult the previous article. to 5.5 cm, with regularly or sparsely toothed mar- The inclusion of a plant name in this series gins. Those leaves without monstrous lobes, green with white or central does not imply that it is new either here or in greenish-white markmgs, those with lobes, light green with a white reticu- or that we are its first or only mtroducer. Japan, late pattem and an irregular, darker-green border 1 We no the value of make judgment about garden to 2 mm wide, the lobes white A vigorous clone. the plants descnbed; we hope that such informa- Illustrated on page 97 and described on page 254 tion will emerge from an evaluation program now of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu ~1975/. in progress under the supervision of Brookside Ardisia Bl. [red Gardens’s curator, Philip Normandy. japonica /Thunb.) ’Beniyuki’ snow] (Yinger Collection No. 810) We will try to honor requests for more information about these cultivars and will be pleased to Leaves elongated and irregular, narrowing very at the about half of them receive additional information as well. At pre- acutely base, slightly lobed, the rest prominently and almost regularly sent, time and money are not sufficient for the lobed (resembling the leaves of Quercus alba/; 5 to of research necessary to answer all ques- depth 10 cm by 2 to 4 cm. The slightly lobed ones with tions that might be raised, but we will try to very narrow, white margins 1 to 2 mm m width address questions as they arise. We intend to de- that seldom invade the center of the leaf, the heav- lobed ones with white to 1.5 posit specimens and documentation of published ily broad, margins up cm in width Leaf surfaces with cultivars with the United States National Ar- slightly puckered, shghtly undulate margms. White areas becoming boretum in D. as the con- Washington, C., plants red m winter. A vigorous clone. tinue to develop. Address correspondence to Carl Illustrated on page 97 and described on page 254 R. Hahn, Maryland-National Capital Park and of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975). Planmng Commission, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Ardisia Bl. Silver Spring, MD 20907. Please note that the japomca /Thunb.) ’Chiyoda’ [a place- name] Collection No. Arnold Arboretum cannot supply these plants or (Yinger 806) information about them. Leaves very irregular m outhne, with no teeth on Mr. Young June Chang, Seoul National Umver- their margins, blades 5 to 11 cm by 1 to 3.5 cm, all thin, white margins 1 to 2 mm in width sity, Seoul, Korea; Mr. Philip Normandy, Brook- bearing that rarely invade the centers of the blades Most side and Mrs Gennie Potter, Gardens; leaves almost flat, with mtervemal spaces some- Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning times raised or puckered. A vigorous clone. 9

Ardisia japonica ’Amanogawa’ Photographs by Robert Ardisia japonica ’Bemyuki’ Rmker.

All drawings are by Young June Chang. The scale in each case is one centimeter. 10

Ardisia japonica ’Chiyoda’ Ardisia japonica ’Hmode’

Illustrated on page 98 and described on page 254 of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975). Ardisia japomca /Thunb.) Bl. ’Chmmen’ [crepe paper] (Yinger Collection No. 801) II

Leaves long and narrow, 3 to 7 cm by 0.5 to 1 5 cm, their margins fumished with fine, regular teeth. All leaves light green with no variegation, with finely puckered surfaces, some leaves bearing as well a row of tubercles, or small, raised, crested growths, on each side of their center veins. A dwarf clone of slow growth Described on page 254 of Shum~ no Koten Shokubutsu (1975).

Ardisia japonica (Thunb.~ B1. ’Hmode’ [sunmse] (Ymger Collection No. 800) Leaves large, 6 to 10 cm by 2.5 to 3 5 cm, with regular marginal teeth and occasional small white lobes breaking the regular outlme, yellow-green, usually with large, irregular, paler-yellow-green areas in their centers, and usually flat with puckered mtervemal spaces. Vigorous and fast- growing, but with short intemodes. Described and illustrated on page 169 of Koten Engei Shokubutsu / 1977)

Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Bl. ’Hi-no-Tsukasa’ [official day] (Ymger Collection No. 812)

Leaves elongated, 4 to 10 cm by 1.5 to 3.5 cm, all distorted and very acutely narrowed at their bases, some with a few marginal teeth, medium green, many with occasional white, irregular marginal lobes. Leaf surfaces nearly flat, sometimes undulate, scarcely puckered A moderately vigorous clone Ardisia japonica ’Hi-no-Tsukasa’ Illustrated on page 97 and described on page 254 of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975)

Ardisia japonica ~Thunb.) B1. ’Hokan Nishiki’ [phoenix crown brocade] (Ymger Collection No. 816)

Leaves usually ovate, usually with blunt or rounded apexes and toothed or sparsely toothed margins, 4 to 7 cm by 2 to 2.5 cm (a very few irregularly lobed), green, with broad, irregular margins 1 to 10 mm wide often invading the leaves to or near their midribs Margins yellow-green, tinged pink Leaf surfaces nearly flat or slightly puckered, often undulate. A moderately vigorous clone Illustrated on page 97 and described on page 254 of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975~ ’Hi-no-Tsukasa’ 122

Ardisia japonica ’Hoshiami’

Ardisia ~apomca ’Hokan Nishiki’

’Hoshiami’

’Hokan Nishiki’ ’Ito Fukumn’ 13

Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Bl. ’Hoshiami’ [parched nettmg] (Yinger Collection No. 813)

Most leaves very distorted, few more or less ovate; most with toothed margms; 3 to 7 cm by 1 to 3 5 cm About 25 percent of the leaves entirely green, the rest bearing fine, white reticulate patterns or irregular streaks of white Most leaves cupped, puckered, or twisted A clone of slow to moderate growth and congested habit Illustrated on page 98 and described on page 254 of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975).

Ardisla japonica (Thunb.~ B1. ’Ito Fulcunn’ [thread border] /Yinger Collection No. 811)

Leaves ovate, mostly regular m outhne, 4 to 7 cm by 2.5 to 3 cm, most with regularly toothed margins. All leaves medium green with thm white margms 1 to 2 mm wide, only occasionally slightly invading farther into the centers of the leaves. Leaf surfaces nearly smooth and only slightly puckered. Of moderate to vigorous growth Illustrated on page 98 and described on page 254 of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975).

Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) B1.’Kimigayo’ [Japan’s national anthem] (Yinger Collection No. 799) All leaves distorted, of several shapes, most more or less ovate, about 3.5 to 6 cm by 1.5 to 3 cm. Leaf margins irregularly toothed, often with small lobes at various pomts along the margins. Leaves yellow-green, with darker-green central blotches; marginal lobes white All leaves puckered and twisted, some with promment, bubble- Ardisia ~apomca ’Kim~gayo’ hke swellmgs near their centers Somewhat dwarf and slow-growing Illustrated on page 98 and described on page 254 of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975)

Ardlsla 7apomca (Thunb.) Bl. ’Koganebana’ [gold flower] (Yinger Collection No. 817) Leaves small, ovate to elongate, regular or m- regular m outhne, 2 5 to 4 cm by 1 to 2 cm, the margins with occasional teeth. Leaves medium green, usually with narrow or broad white margins 1 to 6 mm wide A few leaves almost entirely white. Leaf surfaces nearly flat or puckered A dwarf clone of slow, dense growth Illustrated on page 97 and described on page 254 ’Kimigayo’ of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu (1975). 144

Daphne odora ’Rmgmaster’

Ardisia japonica ’Koganebana’

Ardisia japonica ’Shmofu Chmimen’ Daphne odora ’Zmko Nishiki’ 155

Ardisia japonica /Thunb.) Bl. ‘Shmofu Chmmen’ Grown m Japan by Mr Yoshimichi Hirose, Iwa- kum Described, but not [white variegated crepe paper] (Ymger Collection City, Yamaguchi, Japan on 51 of the 1911 of the No. named, page catalog 804) Yokohama Nursery Company, Yokohama, Japan. Leaves of regular outline, elongated, with odora Thunb. ’Zurko Nishiki’ acutely pointed apexes, blades 3 to 5 by 1.5 to 2 Daphne [fragrant cm; margms toothed. Some shoots and leaves all brocade] (Yinger Collecrion No. 279, No. 1794, green or all white, the rest with sectoral white and No. 1920) markings or flecks of white A few leaves equally Leaves green, not variegated. Flowers dark pink divided longitudinally mto green and white halves (Rhodamme purple or Fuchsia purple in the 1938 Most leaves flat and scarcely puckered, a few with Royal Horticultural Society’s Colour Chart) or undulate margins A rather dwarf selection white On young plants, flowers usually all of one Illustrated on page 96 and described on page 293 color or the other, both colors appearing on the of Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu 1975/. same plant as the plant matures All the flowers of an umbel usually of one color, but some umbels Carex T. new phyllocephala Koyama’Sparkler’ [a having both pmk and white flowers, and a few cultivar name assigned by Barry R. Yinger~ individual flowers showing sectoral ~chrmeral) pat- (Ymger Collection No. 1403~ terns Individual flowers large, 2 to 2.5 cm across, each with a tube 1 cm long. Corolla lobes obtuse or Leaves, which for at least two years, lime persist rounded at their tips. Flowers borne m large, green to dark with 1- to 4-mm-wide white green, rounded umbels of 15 to 25 flowers A very beauti- margins One to four longitudinal streaks of white ful plant marketed under several names,mcludmg often within the of the leaves. green portions "sakiwake" and "shibon," both of which are Sheaths at the bases of the leafstalks A purplish. applied to two-colored flowers or inflorescences. rare and attractive variant of a rare plant. Described and illustrated on page 33 of the Fall Sold by Ishiguro Momiu En (nursery), Nagoya, 1980 catalog of Kairyo En (nursery) Grown by as fum Carex Japan, tenyku-suge (variegated phyl- Kairyo En, Angyo, Japan, and several other major locephala).~. nurseries. The following two plants are selections of a Chinese shrub as a Daphne odora, long popular Distyhum racemosum Sieb. & Zucc. ’Akebono’ garden plant in Japan. Many cultivars have been [dawn] (Yinger Collection No. 269) selected for pot culture as well, especially those Leaf blades 5 to 10 by 2 to 5 cm, mostly about 7 with leaves in various patterns, fas- variegated cm by 3 to 3.5 cm, persisting two years. One-year- ciated or The shoots, twisted leaves. classic old leaves creamy white, all on new shoots, some works Somoku Kihm Kagami (1827) and Somoku below the apexes of the shoots speckled or veined Kmyoshu ( 1829) list twenty-one variants. The green Two-year-old leaves dark green with no Stems of new shoots creamy white or two more-modern cultivars described below are markings sometimes dark pink, those of older shoots green. notable for their floral as well and seem display A vigorous plant with obliquely ascending not to be included among the cultivars listed in branches. A very distinctive variegated clone, one the classics. of several listed in modern and classical Japanese sources. Daphne odora Thunb. ’Ringmaster’ [a new cul- Described under the name ’Akebono’ [dawn] on tivar name assigned by Carl R. Hahn] (Ymger page 11 of Catalog No. 62 (Fall 1978-Sprmg 1979) Collection No. 1894) of the Asahi Shokobutsuen (nursery), Okazaki, tlichi Prefecture, Japan. Leaves green with 2- to 4-mm-wide margins of cream or pale yellow. Flowers 2 cm across, with a Distyhum racemosum Sieb. & Zucc. ’Guppy’ [a tube 1 cm long, pure white, relatively new cultivar name R. appearing’ assigned by Barry Yinger] late. (Yinger Collection No. 274/ A very beautiful selection combining white flowers with clear margmal variegation to produce Leaves green, not variegated, 3 to 5 cm by 1 to 2 plants that are unusually striking in flower. cm, with short (5 to 15 mm) mternodes. Typically 166

variable m this clone A very showy variegated selection. A similar cultmar is hsted m the classic Somoku Kinyoshu, illustrated and described on page 73 of the explanation volume accompanying the facsimile reprmt (1977J However, that clone appears to have irregularly splashed leaves with no sign of the distinct marginal vanegation of ’Chameleon’ Sold by several nurseries m Japan as "fum dokudami" [vamegated Houttuyma] (for example, Garden Wako [nursery], Takarazuka, Osaka-fu, Ja- pan).

Ilex mtegra Thunb. ’Green Shadow’ [a new cultivar name assigned by Barry R. Ymger] (Yinger Collection No. 718) Leaf blades 5 to 9 cm by 1.5 to 3 cm Leaves medium gray-green with irregular creamy-white margms 1 to 5 mm m width that sometimes in- racemosum ’Akebono’ Distylmm vade nearly to the midvems Irregular patches of paler gray-green, m broken patterns, also occupy- ing one-third to one-half of the green portions of makes 4 to 8 cm of new growth per year A dwarf the leaf blades. The creamy-white areas often suf- cultivar making a dense, rounded shrub of con- fused with pmk on new growth. A vigorous and gested growth. stable clone. Similar to a clone descnbed and illustrated on The classic, Somoku Kmyoshu (1829), hsts six page 42 of the explanation volume accompanymg cultmars of Hex mtegra with vanegated or con- the facslmile repnnt of the classic Somoku Kihm torted leaves. This selection seems to be different Kagami (1976) The clone hsted, which the text from those hsted there explams is probably not m existence now, is Grown by Kiraku En (nursery), Mito, Ibaraki, called "koba hizon" [small-leaf Drstyhum]. No Japan, as "fumz mochi-no-ki," [variegated Ilex m- measurements are gmen, but the plant pictured tegral.). has leaves that seem to be proportionally wider than those of the clone we descnbe here Ophlopogon ~apomcus ~L. f.) Ker-Gawl. ’Torafu’ Grown and sold by Garden Wako (nursery), [tiger vanegation] (Yinger Collection No. 1681) Takarazuka, Osaka-fu, Japan. Leaves to 15 cm long, 3 mm wide, green, with one to four latitudinal bands of pale yellow fading to creamy white. Most bands 1 to 5 cm wide. Some cordata Thunb. ’Chameleon’ Houtwyma [a leaves entirely green or, less often, entirely creamy new cultivar name assigned by Barry R. Yinger] white. (Yinger Collection No. 714 and No. 824) Grown by Kairyo En ~nursery~, Angyo, Japan.

Leaves dark green with variable broad margins that often invade the centers of the leaves in broad Pmus parmflora Sieb. & Zucc. ’Fubula Nishiki’ sectoral patterns. Margins creamy white or yellow, [snowstorm brocade] (Yinger Collection No. often tinged with pmk, in sunny locations bright- 1908) red and strong-pink shades often dominate Green mtenors of the leaves usually streaked or splashed Needles 2 to 4 cm, mostly about 3 cm, long, not with gray-green, and a green reticulate pattern curved; green, those recently produced with a may appear on the lighter margins. Outlines of glaucous bloom Most needles banded with creamy leaves less regular than those of the species, the white. Of these, the most common pattern a single margins often undulate Number of white, showy band, 5 to 10 mm wide, on the upper half of needles. bracts subtending the inflorescence (normally four) Band sometimes flecked with green so that there 177

seems to be a sucession of smaller bands Tips of Kmtaro Somoku Kihin Kagami 3 vols. Japan, 1827 needles often creamy white. Habit dense and (Reprinted in facsimile, Tokyo’ Seiserdo, 1976). somewhat congested, with about 4 to 9 cm of new (In Japanese). growth each year. Koten Engel Shokubutsu Garden Life Edition. Tokyo: Most similar to P. parviflora ‘janome’ (actually, Seibundo Shmkosha, 1977 two distinct clones) and ’Ogon’ ‘/anome’ is dis- Krussmann, G. Handbuch der Laubgeholze, 2nd ed., tmgmshed by its strongly curved needles and rev. 3 vols Berhm Verlag Paul Parey, 1976-78. green-tipped needles m both so-named selec- (In German). tions ‘Ogon’IS distmgmshed byts short, densely Mizuno, Tada-aki Somoku Kmyoshu 7 vols. Japan, tufted needles, which are umformly yellow except 1829 (Reprinted in facsimile, Tokyo: Seiseido, at the base 1977) (In Japanese). Illustrated on the cover of the Fall 1977 catalog Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan Edited by Frederick G. of Kairyo En (nursery), Angyo, Japan, and described Meyer and Egbert H. Walker. Washmgton, D C.: on the inside cover. Sold by Kairyo En and other Smrthsoman Institution, 1965. nurseries Shumi no Koten Shokubutsu Edited by Kuyko Kamisaki. Toylco~ Shufu no Yusha, 1975 The Royal Horticultural Society. Horticultural Colour Cultivar Update Chart 2 vols London, 1938 and 1941 Tsukamoto, Yotaro, et al Explanation Volume To Ac- In the Fall 1983 issue of Arnoldia, we assigned company 197(~ Facsimlle Repnnt of Somoku the name ’Sundance’ to a cultivar of Aucuba Kihm Kagami Tokyo’ Seiseido, 1976 (In Japanese). ~apomca ~Yinger Collection No. 2G7~. We have -. Explanation Volume To Accompany 1977 Fac- since discovered a name for this validly published simile Repnnt of Somoku Kmyoshu Tokyo: clone that is acceptable under the Code. Thus, we Seiserdo, 1977 (In Japanese) wish to nullify our name ’Sundance’ in favor of Valvams, William N "Japanese five-needle pme," m Classical Bonsai Art, Vol. 2. At- the name ’Meigetsu’ [the Japanese spring and au- Encyclopedla of lanta, Systems, 1976 tumn which is illustrated and described Georgia Symmes equmox], Yolcoi, Masato, and Yoshimichi Hirose. Fmn on of page 9 of Catalog 62 (Fall 1978-Spnng 1979) Shokubutsu Tokyo: Seibundo Shinkosha, 1978. Asahi Shokubutsuen (nursery), Okazaki, Alchi (In Japanese). Prefecture, Japan.

unless otherwise noted) General Bibliography Catalogs (in Japanese Asahl Shokubutsuen, Okazalm, Aichi Prefecture, Japan; Books and Penodicals Catalog No (~2, (fall 1978-sprmg 1979). Bailey, Liberty Hyde, Ethel Zoe Bailey, et al Hortus Chugar Nursery Company Kanagawa Prefecture, Third New York. Macmillan, 1976 Isehara-shi Catalog No 11 7 Takarazuka. Fall 1978. Bean, W. J Trees and Shrubs Hardy m the Bntish Isles Fuy En, Osaka, 1973, spring 4 vols London: John Murray, 1970, 1973, 1976, Kairyo En, Saitama Prefecture, Kawagucht-sht, Oy and 1980. Kamito. Spring 1966; fall 1970, spring 1972, fall den Ouden, P, and B. K. Boom. Manual of Cultivated 1972, spring 1973, fall 1973, spring 1974, fall Conifers The Hague, Netherlands~ Martinus 1974, fall 1975, spring 1977, fall 1977, spring Nyhoff, 1978. 1978, fall 1978, fall 1979, fall 1980, spring 1981, Hilher, H G Hilher’s Manual of Trees and Shrubs spring 1982 Newton Abbot, England’ David and Charles, Nagoya Engei, Nagoya, Naka-ku Catalog No 11 (fall 1972. 1978) International Commission for the Nomenclature of Nihon Kaki, Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi-shi, Cultivated Plants of the International Union of Ishigami Fall 1973, spring 1974, fall 1979, spring Biological Science International Code of 1980, spring 1981, fall 1981, spring 1982 Nomenclature for Culuvated Plants C D. Bmck- Sakata Nursery Company, Yokohama, Mmami-ku, ell, Chairman, Editorial Committee Utrecht, Nagada-cho. Spring 1978, fall 1978, spring 1979, Netherlands: Bohn, Scheltema, and Holkema, spring 1981, fall 1981. 1980. Shibamichi Kanyro Company, Limited, Saitama Prefec- 18

ture, Kawaguchi-shi, Akayama Commercial catalog, 1976-77. -. Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden April 1979. (In English). Shunko En, Tokyo, Itabashi Spring 1972, fall 1972, spring 1979. Sosei En, Hyogo Prefecture, Takarazuka. Fall 1976, spring 1977, fall 1979. Ymger, Barry R Japanese Trees and Shrubs for Your Garden Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi-shi, Akayama. Shibamichi Kanyro Company, Lim- ited, 1981 (In Enghsh) Yokohama Nursery Company, Yokohama, 1911-12. (In English~.

Barry R Yinger is curator of the Asian Collections at the Umted States Iv’ational Arboretum Carl R Hahn is chief of horticulture of Maryland-Nanonal Capital Park and Planning Commission, Silver Spnng, Mary- land