Prunus mume

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese apricot

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Japanese apricot RHS
Japanese apricot RHS
Japanese apricot RHS

Other common names

mei, mume, ume

Plants for pollinators
Trees
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A spreading, deciduous tree to around 9m, with green shoots and dark green leaves. Fragrant flowers, from white to dark pink, are produced on bare branches in late winter and early spring, followed by edible but sour, apricot-like, yellow fruit

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China, Laos, Vietnam

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil preferably in full sun or light shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Minimal pruning needed. Remove any dieback promptly

Pests

Can suffer from aphids and caterpillar damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf, honey fungus, blossom wilt and bacterial canker. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa