Weeping Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume ‘Pendula’)         

Recently, on a warm day in the arboretum, I was on my way to the wildflower garden when a wonderful fragrance stopped me. The Japanese Apricot was blooming. Its weeping branches were covered with pale pink flowers.
The branches arch over the gravel path to the wildflower garden.
On warm days the buds open and the blooms release their fragrance from January through March.
This small tree grows 15 to 20 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide.
There are many cultivars of this tree. We have two, the weeping one at the start of the path to the wildflower garden
and an upright form

(Prunus mume ‘Peggy Clarke’) near the parking area.
As beautiful as this tree is, you can’t get too attached to it, because it is also short-lived here.
It is susceptible to wind-blown fungus, borers, and other maladies.
Plant it in well-drained, organic, acidic soil in full sun and enjoy it while it lasts.
The delicate, fragrant flowers make it a must in a winter or fragrance garden.