Plum blossoms herald the start of spring. They usually appear at the beginning of February. January 10th is too early.
The scent of ume flowers is intoxicating and each variety is different—fruity, spicy, heavily floral.
The colors of these buds charmed me with their old-fashioned combination of brown toned colors
Vivid plum blossoms against a blue sky lift our spirits out of the winter doldrums.
Oh what I would give for a blossom like that.
Posted by: Jennifer on January 12, 2005 05:48 AMThis morning, while driving in -1F temperatures in Maine, my husband pondered the weather in Japan. I told him that there were early blossoms and we started wondering how cold it ever gets there. Could you enlighten us? Do you ever have to bundle up? Do you ever feel the need to wear long underwear with your flannel jammies like I did last night?
Posted by: Amy on January 19, 2005 03:58 AMIn Tokyo, it sometimes touches the freezing point at night in the depth of winter. Cold days are a few degrees above freezing, but most are a bit warmer. Not balmy, but not -1F. It’s colder in the mountains, of course.
Despite the temerpatures being rather mild, we do bundle up. Homes are poorly insulated and heating is room-by-room. It’s flannel pajamas and a hot water bottle in an unheated bedroom every night for me.
Posted by: Kristen on January 19, 2005 08:30 AM