Refers to the bud of a flower before it opens; used literally for plants.
桜の蕾がふくらみ始めた。
The cherry blossom buds have started to swell.
バラの蕾がもうすぐ開きそうだ。
The rose buds look like they will open soon.
promising young person; budding talent
Figurative use comparing a young person with potential to a flower bud; often used in phrases like 蕾のまま (still a bud) or 未来の蕾 (bud of the future).
彼女はまだ蕾だが、将来が楽しみな歌手だ。
She is still a budding talent, but she is a singer with a promising future.
この若者たちはみんな未来の蕾だ。
These young people are all buds of the future.
The rose bud opened.
His talent never blossomed and remained unrealized.
This tree forms buds when spring comes.
The cherry blossom buds have started to swell.