James Burghardt
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Prunus mume 'Kobai'
Plant Common Name
Japanese Apricot, Kobai Japanese Apricot
General Description
The dreariness of winter is lessened by the semi-double, rose-pink blossoms of ‘Kobai.’ This vigorous Japanese apricot also produces lots of small, apricot fruits. ‘Kobai’ is a Japanese cultivar that’s easily obtained in American nurseries.
Japanese apricot is one of the glories of late winter. Delicate, lightly fragrant blossoms cover its bare, leafless branches on the cusp of spring's return. A native of China and the Korean peninsula, this small, deciduous tree has a rounded, spreading crown and develops beautiful, gnarled bark with age. It has been in cultivation for centuries, so there are lots of delightful cultivars to choose from. Unlike most fruit trees, Japanese apricot is also very long-lived, so most old selections are still in existence.
The simple, tapered, oval leaves of this ornamental apricot appear in mid-spring, after bloom time. They are slightly glossy and light green when they emerge, deepen to drab deep green by summer and then turn shades of yellow in fall. The flower buds emerge and open any time from midwinter to early spring, depending on local climate. They are commonly damaged by severe winter cold, so plant them in spots protected by harsh winter winds and cold snaps. The small, semi-double flowers are rose pink and lightly fragrant. They are pollinated by bees, and the small, yellow apricots that follow mature by late summer. Japanese apricots are edible but have a sour, bitter taste. In Asia they are often pickled.
For best flowering and overall habit, grow Japanese apricot in full or partial sun. It is best adapted to soils that are somewhat fertile and well-drained. All pruning should be done directly after flowering. This will encourage more branching and flowering the following winter. Mature specimens develop broad canopies, gnarled branches and are quite picturesque.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
8 - 6
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 8
-
Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
-
Plant Type
Tree
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Height
18'-25' / 5.5m - 7.6m (20)
-
Width
18'-28' / 5.5m - 8.5m (20)
-
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Winter, Late Winter
-
Native To
China, Korea
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Oval/Rounded
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Winter
