How to Grow Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot
Wikimedia Commons
Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot
Prunus mume 'Ume Shiro'
treeUme Shiro is a Japanese apricot cultivar prized for its fragrant white blossoms and small, flavorful fruit. This ornamental and productive tree is an excellent choice for gardens seeking both aesthetic appeal and culinary harvest. The variety is moderately vigorous and relatively compact, making it suitable for smaller landscapes.
When should you plant Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8
Sign up free to see if Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
Year 1-2Young tree developing root system and initial branch structure
Water regularly to establish deep roots. Stake for support in windy locations. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base, keeping clear of trunk.
Vegetative Growth
Year 2-3Tree produces branches and foliage; may produce limited flowers in second year
Prune to establish open, vase-shaped canopy. Remove crossing or inward-growing branches. Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Flowering
2-3 weeks, typically February-MarchEarly spring appearance of fragrant white blossoms on bare or emerging branches
Flowers appear in early spring (February-March depending on zone). Frost during bloom can reduce fruit set. No deadheading needed for productive cultivars.
Fruiting
3-4 months (May-August)Small, round yellow-green fruits develop and gradually mature
Thin fruit to one every 4-6 inches when marble-sized for larger fruit. Provide consistent water during development. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Harvest
Variable; typically late May through JulyFruits reach full size and develop full flavor and aroma
Harvest when fully ripe (soft to gentle pressure) for fresh eating. For pickling or umeboshi, harvest slightly before full ripeness. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Apply dormant oil spray in early spring; use insect netting over fruit in late spring; hand-pick fallen fruit daily
-
Pheromone traps; remove infested fruit; apply kaolin clay spray; prune infected branches
-
Improve air circulation through pruning; remove mummified fruit; apply copper or sulfur fungicide during bloom period
-
Maintain tree health with proper watering and pruning; remove infected branches back to healthy wood; avoid wounding tree
-
Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
Uses
Umeboshi (Pickled Plums)
CulinaryThe classic Japanese preserve made from ume fruit and salt, used as a condiment, digestive aid, and ingredient in numerous dishes. The pickled fruit has a distinctive sour, salty flavor and is valued in traditional Japanese cuisine. [source]
Fresh Eating and Juice
CulinaryRipe Ume Shiro fruit can be eaten fresh or used to make juice, compotes, and beverages. The fruit has a distinctive aromatic flavor with balanced sweetness and acidity. [source]
Ume Wine and Liqueur
CulinaryJapanese plum wine (umeshu) is made by infusing ume fruit with sugar and alcohol, creating a sweet, floral beverage popular throughout East Asia. [source]
Ornamental Flowering Tree
OrnamentalThe early spring fragrant white blossoms and graceful form make Ume Shiro valuable as an ornamental specimen tree, particularly in Japanese and East Asian garden designs. The flowers are highly aromatic and appear before or as leaves emerge. [source]
Traditional Health Uses
MedicinalIn traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, ume is believed to aid digestion, boost immunity, and support overall wellness. Umeboshi is traditionally consumed for digestive health and as a natural energy supplement. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Ume Shiro typically fruits in late May through early July depending on zone. Harvest fruit when fragrant and slightly soft to pressure—usually when color shifts from green to yellow-tinged. For fresh eating, allow full ripeness. For traditional umeboshi (pickled plums), harvest at slightly immature stage with whitish bloom. Fruit bruises easily, so handle gently. One mature tree produces 30-60 pounds of fruit annually.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Ume Shiro is one of the earliest flowering fruit trees in temperate zones, often blooming in late winter when few other plants are flowering, making it a symbol of spring in Japanese culture.
- 🌱 The fragrance of ume blossoms is highly prized in Japan and features prominently in poetry and art spanning over a thousand years; they are mentioned in classical Japanese poetry collections like the Manyoshu.
- 🌱 Despite being called 'apricot' in English, Prunus mume is botanically closer to plums than apricots, and the fruit is sometimes called Japanese plum; it has been cultivated in East Asia for over 3,000 years.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Ume Shiro Japanese Apricot timeline →