<p>Japanese plums (<em>Prunus salicina</em>) are actually native to China, Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia, but have been cultivated in Japan for many centuries. The leaves are slightly longer and thinner than a European plum (the name <em>salicina</em> is derived from the Latin for willow, in refrence to the similar foliage). The pure white blossom is spectacular - they are some of the first flowers to open in early Spring - and is celebrated in Japan almost as much as the more famous cherry blossom festivals.The fruit are a rich dark ruby red with wine red flesh, which are sweet and perfect for eating straight from the tree, although rumour has it that they also make the best plum jam imaginable.</p>
<p>Japanese plums are generally partially self-fertile, so although they will crop on their own, you will get better results if another early flowering plum tree is within 300m or so. The trees themselves are very hardy, but the blossom has little frost-resistance so the tree will need some protection in spring in colder areas of the UK.</p>
Plum (Japanese)
Japanese plums (Prunus salicina) are actually native to China, Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia, but have been cultivated in Japan for many centuries. The leaves are slightly longer and thinner than a European plum (the name salicina is derived from the Latin for willow, in refrence to the similar foliage). The pure white blossom is spectacular - they are some of the first flowers to open in early Spring - and is celebrated in Japan almost as much as the more famous cherry blossom festivals.The fruit are a rich dark ruby red with wine red flesh, which are sweet and perfect for eating straight from the tree, although rumour has it that they also make the best plum jam imaginable.
Japanese plums are generally partially self-fertile, so although they will crop on their own, you will get better results if another early flowering plum tree is within 300m or so. The trees themselves are very hardy, but the blossom has little frost-resistance so the tree will need some protection in spring in colder areas of the UK.