European Plum
Prunus domestica
Zones
4a–8a
Chill hours
700 to 1000
Sun
full
Lifespan
20 to 25 years
Growing european plum
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Recommended varieties
- Stanley. Sweet, dense, freestone purple plum; the all-purpose plum: fresh eating, drying into prunes, baking, canning. Self-fertile and very productive. Zones 5a–7a.
- Mount Royal. Tart-sweet, juicy, blue-purple skin with golden flesh; good fresh and excellent for jam. Cold-hardy where most plums fail. Zones 4a–5b.
- Italian Prune. Very sweet, dense, freestone purple-blue; the classic drying prune with concentrated flavor. Also excellent fresh and baked. Late-ripening. Zones 5a–7a.
Soil and site requirements
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Common diseases
- Brown Rot (fungal). The most damaging stone-fruit disease, causing blossom blight and fruit rot.
- Black Knot (fungal). Fungal disease producing characteristic black warty galls on plum and cherry branches.
Common pests
- Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar). Native weevil that lays eggs in young stone and pome fruit, causing characteristic crescent-shaped scars.
- Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica). Defoliating beetle introduced to North America in 1916. Skeletonizes leaves of many fruit trees.
- Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta). Stone-fruit pest whose larvae tunnel into shoot tips and later into fruit.
Common challenges
Detailed guidance for this section is being prepared. Check back soon.
Grafting and rootstocks
- Stanley on Myrobalan · standard, 15–20 ft.
- Italian Prune on Myrobalan · standard, 15–20 ft.
- Mount Royal on St. Julien A · semi-dwarf, 12–15 ft.
Companion plants
- garlic (beneficial): Garlic discourages plum curculio and provides general antifungal benefit beneath stone fruit.
- yarrow (beneficial): Yarrow draws predatory wasps that parasitize plum curculio.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- What zones does european plum grow in?
European Plum grows in USDA zones 4a through 8a.
- How many chill hours does european plum need?
European Plum requires approximately 700 to 1000 chill hours below 45°F to break dormancy properly.
- How long until european plum produces?
Days to harvest range from 140 to 170 days after bloom, depending on variety and zone.
- What sun and water does european plum need?
European Plum prefers full sun and moderate water. Lifespan is typically 20 to 25 years.