Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Prunus mume
Plant Common Name
Japanese Apricot
General Description
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, in Japan as well as its countries of origin, 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 early winter 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, single, lightly fragrant flowers may be white, pale pink or deep pink. 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. Fireblight and borers are known problems.
A wide selection of cultivars have been developed. Most have unique flower characteristics or habits. The beautiful selections, 'Dawn', 'Rosemary Clark' and 'Peggy Clark', have double blossoms in pink, white and red, respectively. The weeping selection, 'W. B. Clarke', is named for a prolific Prunus mume hybridizer, and 'Bonita' is a popular selection with semi-double flowers of pure rose.
