Japanese Flowering Apricot
Prunus mume ‘Peggy Clarke’
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Prunus mume 'Peggy Clarke' is a selection of the Japanese flowering apricot, a medium-sized deciduous tree grown above all for showy, deeply fragrant blossoms that open in the depths of winter when few other trees are in flower. 'Peggy Clarke' bears rich rose-pink, double, cup-shaped flowers, ruffled and fragrant, crowded along the bare branches in late winter and early spring.
The Japanese flowering apricot, or ume, is a great and traditional favorite in Japan, celebrated for well over a thousand years, and is becoming steadily more popular in the southern United States. Many named forms exist, varying in flower color from white through pink to deep red; 'Peggy Clarke' is prized for the depth and warmth of the rose-pink doubles.
Small, round, apricot-like fruits, about an inch and a half across, follow in late spring and early summer, ripening yellowish-green, too tart and hard to eat fresh but traditionally used for preserves and pickles in East Asian cooking. The ovate, serrated leaves are bright green in spring, hold through summer, and turn golden-yellow in fall, after which the dark, elegant branching carries the tree through winter.
Grow 'Peggy Clarke' in an open, sunny site with good, well-drained soil, and site where the powerful winter fragrance can be met near a path or a door. Prune right after flowering, since bloom comes on the previous year's wood, and avoid low frost pockets that can nip the early flowers.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 6–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Acid, Loam
- Mature size
- Height 15–25 Feet · Spread 12–15 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
Rose-pink double flowers, late winter to early spring
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- Traditional use only, not clinically evaluated
- Very acidic; use as directed
- Consult a professional before use
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
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