Hello. I’m Yuko. It’s in the middle of winter and getting very cold.
Did you know that there are plants that produce beautifully colored fruits and flowers even in such a cold season? Japan is especially popular for cherry blossoms in spring and colored leaves in autumn, but you can also find bright colors in winter.
Let’s check it out!
Japanese winter plants: Sazanka
This is a flower called Sazanka. It has a beautiful pink color. Sazanka is an evergreen shrub of the Theaceae family. It is a popular tree species as a garden tree because it has strong cold resistance, is evergreen, and can be planted from the sun to half shade.
Japanese winter plants: Tsubaki/ Camellia
Very similar to Sazanka! It is very difficult to tell the difference between these flowers, and sometimes even a gardener who is familiar with plants makes a mistake. Tsubaki is a very popular tree overseas in recent years, and it has a very long history.
You can enjoy shining leaves all year round on the evergreen tree, and many varieties are cultivated. It is one of the most prestigious tea flowers (chabana) that is displayed along in the axis at the tea ceremony. Because it blooms beautiful flowers especially in winter it is called “Queen of Tea Flowers”.
In addition, “Tsubaki oil” obtained from the seeds is used in various cosmetics because it is good for hair and skin. In particular, “Oshima Tsubaki” made in Izu Oshima, Tokyo, can be used for cleansing, oil packs, moisturizers, hair care, body care, etc. It has become a long-selling product.
Japanese winter plants: Senryo (One thousand-ryo)
The holly-shaped plant, Senryo, which is a standard Christmas plant, also blooms cute red fruits in winter.
Actually, this red plant has many kinds.
Ichiryo (One-ryo)
Ryo is old currency of Japanese money.
Juryo (Ten-ryo)
Hyakuryo (One hundred-ryo)
Manryo (Ten thousands-ryo)
“Ryo” is an old unit of money. One ryo is about 130,000 yen when converted to the current money. Manryo is a very large amount of money, so it was named because the fruit is heavy and it goes down. It’s a pretty good naming sense!
If you ever walk around the city, please look for it.
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