'Bridal Veil' Japanese Apricot

Like an elegant dancer taking a bow, 'Bridal Veil' brings graceful drama to the winter landscape with its distinctly weeping form—a refreshing departure from the typically upright or rounded Japanese apricots. This vigorous deciduous tree reaches approximately 10 feet in height while spreading an impressive 20 feet, creating a broad, cascading canopy that lives up to its romantic name. The branches arch downward in gentle, flowing lines rather than the dramatic plunge of a true weeper, creating what nursery professionals poetically describe as "gently down-arching branches." In late winter, typically January through March, these sweeping branches become draped in very pale pink to white single flowers, each bloom measuring 1 to 1.25 inches across with five delicate petals. The flowers are strongly scented, and following the fragrance pattern of pale-flowered Prunus mume cultivars, 'Bridal Veil' produces a sweet, fruity perfume rather than the cinnamon spice notes characteristic of darker pink and red varieties.

The tree's architecture makes it particularly eye-catching even when not in bloom. Young branches display the characteristic glossy green bark of the species, while mature specimens develop bark with subtle cinnamon tints and corky ridges. Summer foliage is standard for the species—simple, ovate leaves 2 to 4 inches long with sharply serrated margins and rich green coloring, pubescent along the veins beneath. Come autumn, the leaves transition to pale yellow before dropping. Cultivars of this variety are male and don't have fruit.

Landscape Value

'Bridal Veil' absolutely shines as a specimen plant where its weeping form can be fully appreciated—think positioned near a bridge in a winter garden, arching gracefully over water features, or anchoring a mixed border where its cascading habit provides vertical relief from the typical winter landscape. The broad spread means this cultivar needs room to stretch, making it better suited to larger yards or gardens than cramped urban gardens, though creative placement can make it work in smaller spaces if you're willing to let it be the star of the show. The fragrant flowers and dramatic form make placement near walkways, patios, or windows particularly rewarding—there's something deeply satisfying about catching that sweet perfume on a cold February morning when you've half-forgotten what flowers smell like.

Hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9 (with zone 6 gardeners planting in protected locations), this vigorous grower performs reliably in full sun to partial shade with moist, acidic, loamy soil. It won't tolerate poor drainage or drought conditions, and since it blooms on the previous year's wood with buds set the prior growing season, any pruning should be done immediately after flowering. The weeping habit requires minimal shaping—just remove any crossing branches or dead wood to maintain good airflow through the canopy.

History and Introduction

'Bridal Veil' was selected and introduced by Camellia Forest Nursery in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, joining other notable Prunus mume selections from this influential nursery including 'Fragrant Snow.' According to the JC Raulston Arboretum, 'Bridal Veil' is noted as a "strongly weeping, vigorous tree" in their cultivar collection. The nursery's reputation for introducing choice Asian ornamentals, particularly plants suited to southeastern gardens, has made their introductions widely respected among horticulturists. The cultivar has performed well in trials at the JC Raulston Arboretum, which maintains one of the largest collections of Japanese flowering apricots in the United States with 22 cultivars currently in their living collection [1].

Camellia Forest Nursery was operated by Kai Mei Parks, a pioneering plantswoman who championed rare and unusual Asian ornamentals for American gardens. Her work introducing superior cultivars of Prunus mume helped expand the palette available to American gardeners, though these plants remain frustratingly difficult to find in mainstream garden centers due to propagation challenges.

Wildlife and Ecological Value

'Bridal Veil' provides critical early-season nectar for bees and other pollinators emerging during warm spells when few other food sources are available, making it particularly valuable in wildlife gardens. According to North Carolina State University Extension, Prunus mume serves as a larval host plant for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus), supporting multiple generations from February through November in southern regions [1]. The small apricot fruits, while too bitter for most human consumption, provide food for birds in summer months. That sweet, fruity fragrance isn't just pleasant for gardeners—when the tree is in full bloom, pollinators arrive in droves, creating a pleasant hum that adds another sensory dimension to the late winter garden when such activity feels particularly miraculous.

[1] https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-mume/

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.