The tree continues to send out white, rose or red flowers on nearly leafless branches, luring bees all through the winter. And then there is the fruit. Golf-ball sized orbs begin to appear in spring.

Instead of growing upright, most Japanese plum trees grow outward, though it’s rare to see one go to such lengths as Chip’s, obviously happy on a gentle, sun-facing slope. Happy but not fruitful.

Japanese plum varieties ripen first; pluot varieties usually ripen at the end of summer. Plums and pluots can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or canned as jelly, jam or as juice.

Then plum-tree breeders solved both problems by crossing American plums with Japanese types, creating delicious, beautiful fruit on rough and rugged trees. For the past 150 years, gardeners have ...

Are you about to plant your first plum tree? Find out which variety works best in your region, how and when to plant the tree, and how to keep it thriving.

If you want a small, handsome evergreen that grows to only 25 feet tall, has a symmetrical, compact form and produces fruit, then the loquat is for you. The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl ...

Question: I planted my Japanese plum tree about five years ago, and have kept it pruned, against a wall, at about 6 feet tall. It is beautiful and healthy, but has never borne flowers and fruit ...

By George Weigel/The Patriot-News Q: Japanese beetles have nearly eaten through all of the leaves on my purple plum and Yoshino cherry trees. I hope I'm not going to lose these trees! Should I put ...

Japanese plum wine, the sweet and tart, umeshu, is the next big thing in Japanese drinks. According to Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA), liqueur exports, which are primarily umeshu, more than ...

Santa Rosa is probably the best known Japanese plum, though it's not the one best suited to our area. Shiro, Beauty and Methley are much better bets here. Plums are a good choice for home ...

Before the cherry blossoms start to bloom next month, locals can head to the DC War Memorial to see their slightly-less-famous friends—the Japanese plum trees. Here’s what to know about these ...