Garden plants in December: "Plum tree" ... "A plant with ornamental value and practicality"

(Pocheon=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Do-yoon = The National Institute of Forest Science announced on the 4th that they have selected the "plum tree" as our garden plant for December.

The plum tree maintains a neat shape even in winter and is a representative deciduous broadleaf tree that blooms early in spring with pink and white flowers, adding vitality to the garden.

It can be used in various spaces such as central garden planting, decorative planting around terraces, and orchard creation.

The most suitable planting period is from early to mid-December.

Dig a wide and deep hole in a place with good sunlight and drainage, mix organic fertilizer with the soil, and plant it so that the roots can settle stably.

Water it sufficiently at first, and then keep the soil from drying out.

It is necessary to check the soil condition in advance because the roots tend to rot in poorly drained soil.

If a cold snap is expected in winter, apply mulch around the roots to help with insulation, and install a support in areas with strong winds to prevent damage to the branches.

The plum tree propagates by grafting seedlings after seed germination.

Individuals germinated from seeds tend to bloom less, so grafting is commonly used to induce stable growth and flowering.

Im Yeon-jin, Director of the Forest Biological Resources Utilization Center at the National Institute of Forest Science, recommended, "The plum tree enhances the quality of the garden in all four seasons and also allows for fruit harvesting."