PInus parviflora 'Tanima no yuki' is a striking, semi-dwarf globose to pyramidal form of Japanese White pine that, although very hard to establish, is well worth the extra effort. This cultivar is distinctive with its white new growth that emerges from light-pink candles, presenting a pleasing tricolor effect. Expected annual growth is around 3 inches (7 cm) per year producing a small, rounded shrub 30 inches (70 cm) tall and wide after 10 years in the garden.
The cultivar name of this plant of this plant is frequently misspelled. Examples include 'Tano mano uki' and 'Tani mano yuki.' ACS member and former president, Dennis Groh, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan did considerable research as to the origin and correct spelling of this name. In the Japanese language, Tanima translates into "valley," no denotes "of" or "from" and yuki translates into "snow," making Snow of the Valley Pine a proper and more-accurate common name. Talon and Maruko Buchholz of Buchholz and Buchholz nursery, Gaston, Oregon reached exactly the same conclusions as did Dennis Groh.
It should be also noted that the RHS Horticultural Database also improperly lists this cultivar. The misspelling registered with them is 'Tani-mano-uki.'
'Tanima no yuki' is a very old cultivar that undoubtedly originated in Japan long ago. It is believed that Fred Bergman of Raraflora nursery, Feasterville, Pennsylvania was responsible for its American introduction, and distributed by Michael Kristick of Wellsville, Pennsylvania.
This cultivar was one of three selections made in 2015 in support of the popular ACS Collectors' Conifer of the Year program.
