Ume - Plum Blossom

The Plum blossom in Japan is known as UME, it blooms in the spring (mid February mid March) and manages to take the Japanese out of the warmth of their homes and take them to parks and gardens to appreciate their delicacy and beauty.

The blossoming of flowers foreshadow the end of winter and the arrival of spring, they are the first of the year to blossom in the country and have been worshiped by the Japanese for centuries as a symbol of the beginning of spring and the beginning of the festivities.

The Plum Blossom Festivals (Ume Matsuri) take place in different parts of Japan, in the public parks, private gardens, shrines and temples with food stand.

As delicate as Cherry Blossom, plum blossoms are also short-lived. Not all bear fruit and the shape of the petals also differs according to the type.

The plum trees belong to the family of western apricot trees and are one of the most prized trees in Japan. Second only to the famous Cherry Blossom (sakura), they always occupy the second place.

During the Nara Period (710-794), appreciation of flowers (hanami) referred to plum blossoms, but today it is associated with cherry blossoms (sakura).

Like cherry blossoms, plum blossoms come in many varieties of colors. Most plum blossoms have five round petals and the color varies from white, ranging from various shades of pink to dark pink, almost red. Unlike cherry blossoms, plum blossoms have a strong and sweet fragrance.

Mid-February to Mid-March