Japanese Apricot, anyone grow them? (flower, lawn, growing, Fruit Trees)

[HB2HSV]

Also known as Prunus Mume. I've been wanting to plant one for a long time. Does anyone have experience growing them? How fast do they grow? Do they need partial shade or can they withstand the brutal afternoon sun?

I've thought about planting it in my front yard as its spring flower is just gorgeous, but I worry about the fruit drop on the front lawn will be messy. That goes the same with all flowering fruit trees. Anyone have insights/ experience to share?

This is a tree that nursery will not ship until next March/ April. It's killing me as I am not a patience man waiting for my Ume.

[Hemlock140]

I have one that I got from a friend in upper NY state, shipped when dormant about February 4 years ago. It's a pink multi-petal, beautiful flowers. Since I'm using it for bonsai, I can't say how fast they grow in the ground. I have mine in a large wooden box, and prune it every year, and it seems to gain about a foot each season. It has always had many blossoms but never any kind of fruit. Where I keep it gets about an hour a day of sun, the rest of the time it's shaded.