Japanese Apricot, Chinese Plum
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Upright, rounded growth habit, 15-20' tall and wide. It may also be trained as a large shrub. Fast growing. This is generally not a long-lived species, usually living less than 20-30 years, but there are reports of some trees living much longer.

Native Range

Native to Japan and southern China, Taiwan and Korea. Introduced in 1844.

Flower and Fruit Details

Pink, white or rose colored, self-fertile flowers, 1-1.25", fragrant, single or in pairs on bright green stems in February-March, but may be damaged by freezing temperatures at that time. The fuzzy-skinned, green/yellow, rounded, 1-1.25" fruits in summer are edible, with clinging stones, but are bitter and not extremely tasty. They may be used in preserves, canned or pickled in salt (called "Umeboshi, the Japanese pickled plum").

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves 2-4" long, simple, alternate, deciduous, ovate in shape, acuminate, finely serrated/serrulate, green above, pubescent on veins below, petiole 0.5-0.75" long, with glands present. Foliage turns yellow in the fall. Young stems are a shiny green and glabrous. Young trunk has smooth bark with horizontal lenticels. Older limbs may become more gnarled with age.

Culture and Care

Plant in a somewhat protected location. Prefers a well-drained, fertile, loamy, acid soil, and in full sun to part shade for best growth. Best flowering is in full sun. Prune, if needed, immediately after flowers fade. Early flowers may be damaged by late winter/early spring freezes. May do best on the south side of a house or building. Zones 6-8. Leaf spot diseases worse in wet weather. Peach tree borers and lesser peach tree borers can be a problem, especially on grafted trees of cultivars. Aphids and scale insects may also be a problem. Bacterial canker and brown rot of the fruit are concerns.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Extremely early, showy flowers. 4-season interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Short-lived. Not extremely cold hardy. Late winter temperatures may damage the flowers and potential fruit set. In a heavy fruiting year, fruits can be messy if over a walk or drive. Some branches may be cut off the tree in early February and brought inside to force into bloom for a mid-winter cut flower arrangement.

Suggested Uses

Use as a specimen plant or in group plantings, in sunny locations on the south side of a house or building. Winter stems can be cut for flower arrangements.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA