Plum blossoms already in bloom

I saw a report on the television last week about Kawazuzakura trees, a type of early blooming cherry blossom, in full bloom in Chiba Prefecture. About a month earlier than normal. I have been on the look out for kawazu cherry blossoms already in bloom in Saitama Prefecture since. However, I haven't seen any.

But, today, while at a park for wintersweet, I was surprised to see these plum blossoms in bloom. I visit this park for plum blossoms every second year or so and, in my experience, they typically bloom the second two weeks in February. It is almost February, but even still they are about two to three weeks early. The photo of this post is from today (January 26th 2026).

We are experiencing a cold spell now, so that might "freeze" them into this state of bloom for a few weeks. I hope that is the case, because, as much as I love seeing flowers early, it is sad when they finish early too. I like having an order in the timing of the flowers. Plum blossoms blooming before wintersweet messes that up! The wintersweet in this park, contrarily, are later than normal!