Beni-chidori

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Beni-chidori (or Beni-shidare) is a flowering ornamental Japanese apricot, and has become quietly popular on account of its very early blossom, appearing in February or early March (or even earlier in mild winters), when there is not much other colour around.

The deep pink single flowers are borne in profusion and contrast elegantly with the bare branches - the blossom appears well ahead of the leaves, and is notably long-lasting (3-4 weeks). It is a great choice for bringing some intense colour to the garden towards the end of winter.

The flowers have a pleasant almond-like scent too, and are very attractive to bees, providing a source of food at a time of the year when not much else is around.

In warm climates the tree will produce small yellow fruitlets in late summer, but this is very unlikely in the UK. The fruits are not particularly palatable, but are valued in China and Japan for making preserves and alcoholic drinks.

The leaves turn apricot orange in the autumn.

Although usually grown in the UK as small specimen trees, Japanese apricots have a naturally "shrubby" habit and can also be trained into low hedges. Left to its own devices a Beni-Chidori will often revert to a multi-stemmed bush.

Our regular Beni-Chidori trees are typically around 1m as supplied, while the top-worked ones will be a bit smaller.

Beni-chidori flowering apricot trees for sale

• Top-worked pot-grown tree £72.00
  In a 11.5L pot
  Very small size (< 1.5m after 10 years)
  (45cm)

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Order now for delivery from week commencing 25th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.

How to grow

Once the tree is more than 3-4 years old Beni-chidori benefits from regular annual pruning in spring - after the blossom has finished.

Beni-chidori remains a small tree (particularly if pruned), and is a good choice for a large patio container - our top-worked forms are ideal for this purpose.

Alternatively plant it out in the garden, allowing 2m-3m height and spread. It is tolerant of most soils.

Because it flowers so early, frost damage of the blossom is always a risk, so for best results try to plant in a sheltered south-facing spot and avoid frost pockets.

History

Despite its name, the Japanese apricot Prunus mume is native to China and Korea as well. The species is often much longer-lived than other flowering cherries.

Many hundreds of varieties of ornamental apricots are known in China and Japan. The variety we supply, Beni-chidori, is also known as Beni-shidare.

Beni-chidori characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• AwardsRHS AGM (current) - 2012
• Attractive featuresAttractive flowersScented flowers
• Growth habitUpright-spreading / Vase
• Height after 10 years1.5m-2.5m / 5ft-8ft
• PruningPrune after flowering
• Growth rateAverage
• WildlifeRHS Plants for PollinatorsMelliferous
• Flower colourPink - dark
• Flower formSingle flower (5-8 petals)
• Flowering monthFebruary
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnOrange / Gold
• Country of originChinaJapan
• Annual cycleDeciduous