Prunus spp. Midsummer. P. Lydecker [Prunus besseyi × (P. salicina Oka × P. s. Z’s Blue Giant)] University of Wisconsin, River Falls, 2006.
Large 2" round early-ripening high-quality hardy blue-black dessert plum. Very sweet juicy reddish-purple semi-freestone flesh. Precocious and productive tree with a naturally compact growth habit.
Bred by Brian Smith, whom we visited on a fruit exploration trip in the Upper Midwest. He graciously toured us through his amazing nursery in River Falls, Wisconsin. He was growing many of his plums in huge tubs, manipulating bloom time using greenhouses and coolers. This enabled him to cross species or varieties that would never normally flower together.
Though we’re not fans of plant patenting, we are pleased to offer his first major introduction. The literature recommends Toka or La Crescent as a pollinator. PPA expired in 2024! Z3. Maine Grown. (3–6' bare-root trees)
Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered
on or before March 7 will ship around March 31
through late April, starting with warmer areas and finishing in
colder areas. Orders placed after March 7 will
ship around late April through early-to-mid May, in the order in
which they were received.
Extremely hardy crosses between various Asian and American species; may fruit even after severe winters.
Hybrid plum fruiting can be inconsistent but it’s worth the trouble! Warmer areas will see longer bloom times. Cold late springs may force blooming all at once. Both of these conditions can be optimal for plum crops. At other times, it can be a little hit or miss. Bloom times are similar for all the varieties we offer.
Hybrid plums are less susceptible to black knot than European plums and have few issues other than Japanese beetle and plum curculio attraction.
At maturity, hybrid plums are roughly 15–20' tall.
Growing Hybrid Plums
Soil: Prefers well-drained fertile soil.
Sun: Full.
Pollination: Requires a second variety. We recommend planting at least 4 different varieties close together. Including an American Plum Seedling in your grove can help ensure pollination.
