Prunus mume
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus MEW-may
- Description
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The Japanese flowering apricot is an ornamental deciduous, rounded tree. There are over 300 cultivars of this to brighten up any winter landscape when very few other trees are in bloom. Its cultivars include white, pink, rose, and red flowering in single and double forms. It always blooms in January and February in shades of white, pink and red on naked branches. It is similar in habit and appearance to some of the smaller flowering cherries that bloom a bit later in the season. Expect a small tree with a rounded branch structure reaching 20 feet or so. This winter wonder is not fussy about soil as long as it is well-drained. Better growth and flower bud set in soils with a bit of extra organic matter and that are acidic; especially if your soil is very sandy. Full sun is a must for the flowering apricot. Even small amounts of shade will the reduce flower bud set. As the tree develops, lower branches are often shaded to the point that they die.
It can be challenging to find in garden centers. The Japanese have been playing with this plant long enough to have more than 250 named varieties, but the choices in our neck of the woods are much smaller. ‘Peggy Clarke’ is a popular selection that bears double flowers in a deep-rose shade. ‘Kobai’ has red, semi-double flowers on a vigorous plant. Weeping selections such as ‘W.B. Clarke’ (double pink flowers) and several white-flowered forms are available. Most flowering apricots have at least some fragrance.
Other members of this genus that bloom just after Japanese flowering apricot include Prunus ‘Okame’, ‘Snowgoose’ and ‘Dreamcatcher’ flowering cherries and the hybrid plum called ‘Blireana’.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Winter, January-February
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Healthy trees do not usually have significant issues. Trees that are grafted on peach rootstocks may be attacked by the peach tree borer. This tree is frequently damaged by deer.
Form: Rounded; dense, twiggy growth; variable with cultivar
Quick ID Hints:
- Stems shiny and green
- Petioles have glands
- Rose-Pink winter blooms on naked branches.
- Leaves broad-ovate, sharply serrate, long acuminate
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Patio Room Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Souto Sun Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Albo-plena'
White flowers - 'Alphandii'
Pink flowers - 'Benishidare'
Crimson flowers - 'Bonita'
Rose doubled colored flowers, do not produce many fruits - 'Bridal Veil'
- 'Dawn' (pink)
- 'Fujibotan'
- 'Matsubara Red' (dark red)
- 'Peggy Clarke' (rose)
- 'Rose Bud'
- 'Tojibai'
White flowers - 'Viridicalyx' (white)
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Albo-plena', 'Alphandii', 'Benishidare', 'Bonita', 'Bridal Veil', 'Dawn' (pink), 'Fujibotan', 'Matsubara Red' (dark red), 'Peggy Clarke' (rose), 'Rose Bud', 'Tojibai', 'Viridicalyx' (white)
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White flowers - 'Albo-plena'
White flowers - 'Alphandii'
Pink flowers - 'Benishidare'
Crimson flowers - 'Bonita'
Rose doubled colored flowers, do not produce many fruits - 'Bridal Veil'
- 'Dawn' (pink)
- 'Fujibotan'
- 'Matsubara Red' (dark red)
- 'Peggy Clarke' (rose)
- 'Rose Bud'
- 'Tojibai'
White flowers - 'Viridicalyx' (white)
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Albo-plena', 'Alphandii', 'Benishidare', 'Bonita', 'Bridal Veil', 'Dawn' (pink), 'Fujibotan', 'Matsubara Red' (dark red), 'Peggy Clarke' (rose), 'Rose Bud', 'Tojibai', 'Viridicalyx' (white)
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- mume
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Vietnam
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
- Edibility:
- The fruits are used often in Japan to make jellies and wine.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are edible globose, yellowish, tiny drupes like a peach or apricot with very little flesh on it.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are solitary or paired, pale rose, less than an inch in size, and subsessile. They bloom in late winter/early spring. They can be single or double. The flowers smell strongly of clove.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate, acuminate, cuneate, sharply serrate, rich green above and pubescent on veins below. Petiole's are glandular. Leaves are 2-4" long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are polished, shiny green, and glabrous.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
