In a corner of the Izumi City Environmental Park, there is a plum orchard. This unique plum orchard has daffodils planted extensively as its undergrowth. From December to January, daffodils bloom abundantly, and as the plum blossoms begin to unfold in late January, the daffodils shed their flowers. By the end of February, most daffodils have dropped their flowers, and the plum blossoms are in full bloom. The green of the daffodil leaves becomes even more vivid, highlighting the pink weeping plum branches. The collaboration between daffodils and plums from mid-winter to early spring is stunning. When comparing plum blossoms to cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are not only vivid in color but also have an excellent fragrance. On the other hand, cherry blossoms, with a slight pink hue, present a modest appearance and have almost no fragrance. However, when cherry blossoms cover the entire tree or cluster together, they are magnificently splendid. They intoxicate people. In contrast, plums gently calm people’s hearts. Perhaps due to seasonal differences, plums and cherry blossoms contrast in various aspects, embodying a duality that resonates with the Japanese people.

和泉市の環境公園の一角に梅園があります。下草には水仙が一面に植えられている珍しい梅園です。12月から１月にかけては水仙が満開になり、１月下旬から梅の花が綻び始めるに従って水仙は花を落とします。２月も下旬になるとほとんどの水仙が花を落とし、梅が満開になります。水仙の葉の緑がいっそう鮮やかになり、ピンクの枝垂れ梅を際立たせます。真冬から初春にかけての水仙と梅の連携が見事です。梅の花と桜の花は、一つ同士を比べると、梅の花は色も鮮やかで香りも申し分ありません。一方、桜の花はわずかにピンクがかっていますが実におとなしい花姿で、香りもほとんどありません。しかし、桜は木全体とか群れると豪華絢爛そのものです。人を酔い痴らせます。その点、梅はしっとりと人の心を落ち着かせます。季節の違いもあるのでしょうが、梅と桜はいろんな面で好対照で、日本人にもこうした二面性があるのでしょう。