Prunus mume

Japanese Flowering Apricot, Japanese Flowering Plum
Rosaceae
Deciduous, Trees, Flowers

PRUNUS

This rich genus includes everything from English laurel to flowering apricots, cherries, peaches, and plums. (For edible varieties, see individual listings for apricot, cherry, peach, plum, and plum hybridss.)

Ornamental species and forms can be divided into two categories: evergreen and deciduous. Evergreen types are used chiefly as hedges, screens, shade trees, street trees. Deciduous flowering trees and shrubs, closely related to the fruit trees mentioned above, are valued for their winter or spring floral display as well as for attractive shape and for foliage form, texture, and sometimes even fall color. Many of these deciduous kinds offer a bonus of edible fruit.

Prunus mume

From China and southwest Japan, Japanese flowering plum grows into a gnarled, picturesque tree 20 ft. tall and wide. And while flowers may be damaged by frost in coldest areas, extremely early bloom is the tree's most endearing feature. White to dark red, 1–1 1/2 in. blossoms with a clean, spicy fragrance form on leafless branches from midwinter to early spring. Yellow to green, 1-in. fruit is edible only if pickled. Leaves to 4 1/2 in. long, are broadly oval, pointed. This tree is also an effective bonsai subject.