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"A favorite tree in the National Herb Garden,
its small stature, wonderful flowers, and useful fruit make
the Japanese apricot a must for almost any garden. It
blooms when one least expects – in the middle of winter.
I have been at the National Arboretum 12 winters and in
those years the earliest it bloomed was the week before
Christmas and the latest was the last week in February.
The flowers are damaged if temperatures drop into the teens;
this has happened twice in the last 12 years.
There are several cultivars of Prunus mume, ranging
from white to pink in single and double forms, but
Peggy Clarke' is my favorite. The rich, bright, rose-pink
flowers are fully double and brighten up a gray winter day
like nothing else I know. They are very fragrant and make
wonderful cut flowers when there is nothing else to cut from
the garden. The flower petals can be dried to make a
delicious tea. The fruits, though not very sweet or pleasant
on their own, are useful in preserves. While green they can
be either sugared or pickled or, when ripe, used to make
apricot brandy or jam.
Native to China and Japan, Prunus mume grows slowly
to 15 or 20 feet tall with a rounded canopy. It thrives in
any well-drained garden soil but flowers best in full sun.
I have seen the plant growing in zone 6 where it will flower
given some protection, but flowering is more reliable in
warmer areas."
– James Adams, Curator of the National Herb Garden, Promising Plants Presentation, 2004
* Seeds/kernels of all Prunus species contain
compounds that form cyanide, which is poisonous, has a bitter
taste and can cause death. Fruits of Prunus mume are
edible but seeds/kernels within the fruits may be toxic,
especially in excess.
Plant Source: Edible Landscaping, Afton, Virginia.
 Prunus
mume 'Peggy Clarke' - Japanese apricot message board** (members only)
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Text and images © 2004 The Herb Society of America
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