Description
Bungo is a classic Japanese ume apricot (*Prunus mume*) that bridges the ornamental and culinary traditions of ume culture. It is admired for its abundant pink blossoms in late winter to early spring, providing early-season beauty when few other trees are in bloom.
In addition to its floral display, Bungo reliably produces large, tart ume fruit once mature. Compared to some ume varieties, Bungo is often considered more fruit-forward, making it especially popular for traditional processing. The fruit is not intended for fresh eating, but is widely used for umeboshi, ume syrup, and liqueurs such as umeshu.
Overview
- Japanese ume apricot with ornamental blossoms and usable fruit.
- Large tart ume fruit well suited to processing.
- Early flowering with strong seasonal interest.
- Reliable fruiting once established.
- Well suited to home gardens and specialty orchards.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Prunus mume ‘Bungo’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil essential
Rootstock: Myro 29C
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–8
Bearing Age: 2–4 years (for ume fruit)
Size at Maturity: Typically 12–18 ft tall and wide (maintained smaller with pruning)
Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
Ripening Time: Early to mid-summer
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile; fruit set can improve with a second ume nearby
Pests & Diseases: Similar to other apricots; good airflow and drainage reduce issues
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Bungo is often favored by growers who want both strong flowering and dependable ume fruit production.
- Regional Insight: Bungo performs well in the Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and other regions with cool winters that encourage strong bloom and fruit set.
- This tree reliably produces ume fruit when mature; the fruit is traditionally used for umeboshi, syrups, and liqueurs rather than fresh eating.
- Harvest ume fruit while firm and green for traditional processing.
- Explore more apricot varieties in our collection: Apricot Trees
