The plum blossom, considered the foremost among China’s top ten famous flowers, embodies the virtues of nobility, resilience, and humility in traditional Chinese culture, inspiring ambition and vigor in its admirers.
So, which plum blossom variety is the most beautiful? I’m here to introduce the ten most stunning varieties of plum blossoms: Biejiao Wan Shui, Longyou Mei, Sajin Mei, Gongfen Mei, Lü’e, Zhusha Mei, and Chuizhi Mei.
Let’s take a look together.
1. Biejiao Wan Shui
Undoubtedly, the top-ranked plum blossom variety is Biejiao Wan Shui, found on Plum Blossom Hill in Nanjing, hailed as China’s premier plum.
It’s an extremely precious specimen as only a single tree of this kind has been discovered, located exclusively on Plum Blossom Hill. Biejiao Wan Shui’s delicate flowers resemble lotus blooms in a soft white hue, with inner petals being white and the edges tending towards pink.
The flower heart is light green, and the stamen is yellow. It has a high degree of petal duplication, with up to 45 petals on a single flower, and its fragrance is subtle and elegant, making it a very rare plum blossom variety.
2. Longyou Mei
A cherished gem among plum blossom varieties, Longyou Mei is unique primarily because of its branches. Its branches curve naturally, creating a dragon-like form. Its flowers have multiple layers, snow-white color, and an elegant fragrance.
It can be appreciated for both its flowers and branches, and its natural form makes for a high-quality bonsai. There is only one variety, the “Yudie Longyou Mei”, so a Longyou Mei bonsai is truly a masterpiece in a pot.
3. Sajin Mei
A list of the most beautiful plum blossoms wouldn’t be complete without Sajin Mei. Its flowers are predominantly white, but each one has red stripes.
Occasionally, some red petals grow on the white branches, and some red branches will suddenly appear on the tree, blossoming red flowers that don’t change color and keep growing.
Not only is Sajin Mei striking in color, but its dense flowers make it ideal for bonsai and cut flowers, providing exceptionally high ornamental value.
4. Gongfen Mei
One of the top ten plum blossom varieties, Gongfen Mei is a sight to behold with its profuse light-red flowers and a particularly strong, pleasing fragrance.
Gongfen Mei has the most varieties within its group, primarily featuring three types: Da Gongfen Mei, Fu Fen Mei, and Ning Xin Mei. Da Gongfen Mei is the most famous, with large round flowers.
It’s a representative species of the Gongfen Mei lineage; Fu Fen Mei has large flowers in an exceptionally refreshing light pink color with a hint of yellow. Ning Xin Mei is a somewhat unique variety. Unlike other Gongfen Mei, Ning Xin Mei’s blossoms are white when fully opened.
5. Lü’e Mei
In my opinion, Lü’e Mei is the most beautiful plum blossom variety. Lü’e is a top-quality plum blossom and exudes a gentlemanly aura. Before Lü’e Mei blooms, the flower looks like a flat lotus base with a small square hole in the center, resembling an ancient coin, hence the name.
This variety is one of the few large-flowered plum blossoms, with a diameter of about 35cm when in full bloom. When the flower blooms, there’s a petal membrane enveloping the white petals, reminiscent of a blooming chrysanthemum.
The petals’ outer edges are uneven, with the inner petals slightly wrinkled and fluctuating, giving the whole flower a silhouette of a fluttering butterfly. The fragrance is strong, making it highly ornamental.
6. Zhusha Mei
Zhusha Mei is one of the universally acclaimed plum blossom varieties. With over 60 varieties in China, its petals can be single, double, or multiple layers and are red or purplish-red in color, blossoming from bowl to dish shapes, exuding a pleasant fragrance.
The new xylem within the branches of Zhusha Mei is light purplish-red, or as people call it, “red in the bone”.
The prime blooming period for Zhusha Mei is usually from mid-to-late February to early March. Representative varieties include Baixu Zhusha, Hongxu Zhusha, Danban Zhusha, Zhusha Taige, and Wuyu Yu.
7. Chuizhi Mei
Chuizhi Mei is regarded by many flower enthusiasts as the most beautiful plum blossom variety. As a horticultural species, its branches naturally droop or hang slantingly, forming a graceful, free-spirited shape.
When it blossoms, it looks like a waterfall, making it an excellent lineage among plum blossoms. The flowers of Chuizhi Mei bloom in white, pink, red, deep red, and more, in shapes ranging from bowl to dish, and exude a delicate fragrance.
Chuizhi Mei varieties typically bloom in succession from late February to mid-March. The main varieties include Canxue Chuizhi, Danbi Chuizhi, Shuangbi Chuizhi, Guhong Chuizhi, Jinhong Chuizhi, and Fenpi Chuizhi.
8. Meiren Mei
Meiren Mei is also a famous plum blossom variety, introduced from France and belonging to hybrid species. This group blooms easily, with dense flowers and longer pedicels. The sepals are mostly a deep red color, while the petals are pink.
Because it has inherited the genes of cherry blossoms, it has strong cold resistance and blooms later. Its blooming condition is extremely dense, usually 1-2 flowers per growth center and short branches.
The flowers are vibrant, dense, and when looked at closely, resemble butterflies fluttering up and down. The blooming period is generally from late March to early April, making it one of the latest blooming varieties of plum blossoms.
9. Yudie Mei
The Yudie variety of plum blossoms have double or multiple layers of white petals, with deep purple sepals, and they exude a pleasant fragrance.
They are saucer-shaped and sometimes, the bud tips may appear light red during the bud stage, but turn white when fully bloomed. The blooming period of Yudie Mei is generally late, usually peaking from mid-February to early March. Of these, the most famous is the white Taige, planted in 1930, which usually blooms from late February to early March.
This plum blossom is a unique gem, especially when in full bloom, the middle “Taige” also blooms, creating a unique and surprising spectacle of a flower within a flower.
10. Yuye Mei
Yuye Mei has been cultivated in China for hundreds of years and is planted in most parks across the country. Yuye Mei also has another name, Xiaotaohong. Its leaves resemble those of an elm tree, while its flowers resemble plum blossoms, hence the name Yuye Mei.
When planted around evergreen trees or on rockeries, the visual effect is more ideal and can provide a great ornamental value. Paired with other colorful plants, when the flowers bloom in spring and autumn, the shapes and colors of the flowers are extremely beautiful.
The various flowers compete for splendor, creating a pleasant scene, making it a rare greening plant in gardens.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. Here, Peggie shares the art and science of floristry, offers practical tips for nurturing plants, delves into the captivating histories of various species, and provides insights into running a successful flower shop. She hopes that everyone can take a moment now and then to immerse themselves in the world of flowers. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
