The Enchanting Longyou Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume) – A True Winter Treasure
In China, the Japanese Apricot—known as plum blossom or ume tree—is one of the “Ten Famous Flowers” and a member of the revered “Four Gentlemen” alongside orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. It also forms the legendary “Three Friends of Winter” with pine and bamboo. While most plants retreat in the bitter cold, the Japanese Apricot bursts into bloom in the dead of winter, its delicate flowers standing proud against frost and snow. With ice-clear petals, jade-like branches, and an intoxicating fragrance that drifts on the coldest days, the plum blossom has been cultivated in China for over two thousand years and remains a timeless symbol of resilience and refined beauty.
Among the many exquisite varieties, the Longyou Japanese Apricot stands out for its naturally twisted, ancient-looking trunks and breathtaking layered white flowers. This rare cultivar grows as a small deciduous tree or shrub, with dramatic gray-brown and purple branches that look centuries old—even on younger plants. It’s the perfect choice for American bonsai lovers and courtyard gardens.
Caption: The perfect soil mix for your Longyou Japanese Apricot – loose, fast-draining, and slightly acidic
Why Longyou is Perfect for American Homes
- Naturally contorted branches—no heavy wiring needed in early years
- Generous double-layered, pure-white flowers with 16–25 petals
- Compact size ideal for containers, patios, or museum-grade bonsai
- Cold-hardy to Zone 6 when protected; easy indoor winter care in colder states
Caption:Freshly repotted Longyou Japanese Apricot ready for its new American home
Every Longyou Japanese Apricot from CYMUS arrives freshly repotted in our professional soil mix (just like the one you see here!). We carefully transfer each tree into a shallow bonsai pot with perfect drainage, so it’s ready to thrive the moment it reaches your doorstep. The twisted trunk and fat flower buds you see are already forming—this beauty will burst into full winter bloom in just a few months. Shipped bare-root from California with our 100% live-arrival and bloom guarantee.
Quick Care Tips for Success in the USA
- Light: Full sun spring through fall; bright indoor light in winter (keep above 50°F)
- Water: Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings—never let it sit in water
- Fertilizer: Spring & fall liquid feed for abundant flowers
- Pruning: Light shaping after blooming keeps the elegant, wild look
Whether you call it Japanese Apricot, plum blossom, or ume tree, the Longyou variety brings ancient Chinese garden poetry straight to your home.
Ready to add this living piece of winter art to your collection? 🌸 Shop our museum-quality Longyou Japanese Apricot bonsai here: https://wzqk.com/collections/japanese-apricot/products/longyou-japanese-apricot-bonsai
Limited stock—most pieces are one-of-a-kind old specimens. Bring the magic of winter-blooming plum blossoms to your garden this year!
