Plums (European and Japanese) Prunus domestica and salicina
Plums are deciduous trees that a widely adapted throughout the U.S. There are varieties that are suitable for every state. The plums we sell are divided into two categories, European and Japanese. European plums are freestone and are more cold hardy. These plums are, for the most part, self-fertile, but will produce better with a pollinator nearby. Japanese plums are usually clingstone and have sweet flesh that is tart near the pit. Most Japanese plums require pollinators. What follows are descriptions of the selections we sell.
'Blue Damson' - This is a very cold hardy plum. Small fruit is dark purple almost black in color. Flesh is green and has very tart taste to it. A cold hardy selection that will produce in most California locations except near the coast. This self-fertile selection ripens in September. Tree needs approximately 650-700 chill hours. standard
'Green Gage' - This selection produces small to medium size fruit that has a light green colored skin. Flesh is very rich, very sweet and has an amber colored flesh. This self-fertile selection ripens July to early August. Tree needs approximately 500 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Beauty' - The low chill requirements of this selection make it suitable for warmer climate planting near the coast. Medium to large fruit is crimson in color. Flesh is amber colored with scarlet streaks and has a sweet flavor. The tree is self-fertile, but use ' Santa Rosa ' as a pollinator to increase yield. This selection ripens over a long period of time starting in early June. Tree needs approximately 250-350 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Blue Giant' - This selection produces a very large fruit, up to ½ lb., has dark purple colored skin. Flesh is very firm and has a great sweet/tart balance. Tree is self-fertile, but use ' Santa Rosa ' as a pollinator to increase yield. This selection ripens in mid-July. Tree needs approximately 500-600 chill hours. standard
'Casselman' - This is a medium to large size fruit that has bright red skin. Flesh is amber color, very meaty and sweet. This selection is self-fertile and ripens in August. Tree needs approximately 600-700 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Elephant Heart' - This is a top choice for home gardens. Large plum has dark red flesh. Flesh is red in color and is very, very flavorful. Use 'Beauty' or ' Santa Rosa ' as pollinators. This selection ripens July to August. Tree needs approximately 500-600 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Howard Miracle' - The low chill requirements of this variety make it suitable for warmer climates. Medium to large size fruit is yellow in color with a red blush. Flesh is amber in color, juicy and tart. Use ' Santa Rosa ' or 'Wickson' as pollinators. This selection ripens in late July. Tree needs approximately 300 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Late Santa Rosa ' - This tree produces a large, oval shaped fruit that has dark red skin. Flavorful flesh is yellow in color turning crimson near the pit. This self-fertile selection ripens in mid-August. Tree needs approximately 500 chill hours. standard
'Mariposa' - This selection produces a large fruit that is dark red to purple in color. Flesh is blood red, very sweet and very juicy. Use 'Beauty', ' Santa Rosa ', 'Late Santa Rosa, or 'Wickson' as pollinators. This selection ripens in mid-August. Tree needs approximately 300-400 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Persian, Green' - This is a heavy bearing tree that produces a mediums size fruit that is dull green color. Flesh is dark yellow in color and very crisp. This plum should be eaten while the skin is still green in color. This selection ripens in late April to May. Tree needs approximately 350-450 chill hours. standard
'Persian, Red' - This selection produces a medium size fruit that has a red skin color. Flesh is dark yellow and very crisp. This tree is a heavy bearer. This selection ripens August to September. Tree needs approximately 350-450 chill hours. standard
' Santa Rosa ' - This is the most popular selection of plum. Medium to large size fruit has light blue colored skin. Flesh is yellow in color turning red near the pit with a rich, tart taste. This self-fertile selection ripens in mid-June. Tree needs approximately 300-400 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Satsuma' - Medium size fruit is nearly round with dark red skin. Flesh is dark red in color, sweet, and juicy. Use 'Beauty', ' Santa Rosa ', or 'Wickson' as pollinators. This selection ripens mid-June to July. Tree needs approximately 300 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Weeping Santa Rosa ' - This tree is similar to ' Santa Rosa ', but the tree has a beautiful weeping form. Medium to large size fruit is light blue in color. Sweet flesh is yellow in color. This self-fertile selection ripens in late June. Tree needs approximately 400 chill hours. semi-dwarf and standard
'Wickson' - This selection produces a large fruit that is green in color with a red blush when ripe. Flesh is firm and light yellow in color. Use 'Beauty' or ' Santa Rosa ' as pollinators. This selection ripens in early July. Tree needs approximately 500 chill hours. standard
