Japanese, European and North American Native Hybrids
What a great summer
treat to eat a plum straight off the tree – juicy and sweet! Plums
have been grown and cultivated for centuries and were even included
in the Hanging Garden of Babylon, and are used in all sorts of
recipes from fresh in salads and ice creams, to cooked in jams,
jellies, chutneys, pastries and sauces.
Plums require full sun, well drained and moderately fertile soil on high ground or ground that is not in a frost pocket to avoid late spring frosts.
Japanese plums ( the round juicy type in the grocery
stores ) require cross pollination with another variety to ensure better crops
unless noted as self-pollinating. European plums (
oval and blue ) are self-pollinating. Set trees out with Orchard Starter Tablets, and in succeeding years fertilize with a complete fruit fertilizer. Bearing begins a 2-3 years. Recommended spacing is 16-18 ft.
One of the sweetest and juiciest plums for
fresh eating, cooking and canning. The reddish-purple fruit are medium
to large with firm, sweet yellow flesh. The trees are upright and
vigorous. Cross pollination with other Japanese varieties is
recommended. Ripening in late August. Zones 6-8.
Santa Rosa
A high quality plum with crimson skin and
yellow flesh that is firm yet juicy and sweet. Good for fresh eating,
cooking. Ripens first of July. 450 chill hours.
Zones 6-8.
AU Roadside
An
Auburn Univ. hybrid, AU Roadside has high yields of excellent quality
fruit with red skin and flesh. Bred from Ozark Premier yet is superior
in yield, fruit quality, tree vigor, disease resistance and tree
longevity. It is highly resistant to black knot, bacterial canker, and
bacterial fruit and leaf spot. Self-pollinating. Higher chill needs
of 700
chill hours. Zones 5-8.
AU Rubrum
A
Methley hybrid developed at Auburn Univ. for high disease resistance and
heavy cropping. The fruit is large with scarlet skin color, and the
juicy red flesh has excellent flavor. This long-lived tree flowers
profusely and is self-pollinating as well as a pollinator for other
varieties. Ripens early to mid July. 450 chill hours. Zones 6-8.
AU Rosa
This
plum is the highest ranked of the AU series of plums in disease
resistance to bacterial spot, black knot, scald and brown rot. The firm
dark red fruit have a saffron yellow flesh that is juicy with an
excellent flavor. Great for fresh eating, cooking and canning. Trees are
vigorous and productive. Ripens
early July. 450 chill hours.
Zones
6-8.
Methley
A sweet and very juicy purple skinned plum with red flesh. A self-fruitful Japanese type that is a good pollinator
for other varieties.
Ripens first part of July. 450 chill hours. Zones 6-8.
Ruby Sweet
Released by our own Dr. Okie at the USDA in
Byron, GA, Ruby Sweet is a newer. Reddish-bronze plum. The dark red
flesh is firm, super sweet and juicy. Ripens mid-late July.
450 chill hours. Zones 5-8.
European
Stanley
This European variety is often grown
mainly for drying, but is also good fresh and canned. The deep purple
oblong fruit is freestone with yellow flesh. A self-fruitful variety, it
is a heavy bearer and ripens early September. Late blooming
for frost protection.
700 chill hours. Zones 5-8.
North American Native Hybrids
Bruce
A cross between the Japanese and native Chickasaw plums. The small
yellow-red fruit have yellow-sweet flesh. The plums are either eaten
fresh or used to make a delicious jelly. The small tree bears heavily
and is very popular with the wildlife. Pollinate with a Japanese
variety. Ripens June. Zones 8-9.
SOLD OUT
Mexican Plum
The beautiful fragrant white blooms produce
dark purple-red; fruits May be eaten raw, cooked, dried, jelly or
preserves. Enjoyed by Native Americans from KY and TN to northern Mexico
sun dried the plums. A favorite of wildlife. The trees are pest
resistant and grow easily in well drained soils. Ripens July to Sept.
Zones 7-9.
This
symbol denotes a disease resistant
variety
An
Auburn Univ. hybrid, AU Roadside has high yields of excellent quality
fruit with red skin and flesh. Bred from Ozark Premier yet is superior
in yield, fruit quality, tree vigor, disease resistance and tree
longevity. It is highly resistant to black knot, bacterial canker, and
bacterial fruit and leaf spot. Self-pollinating. Higher chill needs