Purple Heart Hybrid Plum

bare-root trees
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Prunus spp.
Late summer, red-purple skin, red-purple flesh.

Elwyn Meader intro, Enfield, NH, 1968.

Medium-sized clingstone fruit with red-purple skin and flesh. Some say the most delicious plum we offer. Meaty, mild and rich with no astringency. It’s wonderful. Origins shrouded in mystery. It was brought to the great plant breeder Professor Elwyn Meader by a fellow who passed away before Meader could ascertain the plum’s origin.

We planted ours next to Black Ice: both are fruiting well. Underwood also may be a good pollinator. Not as hardy as other hybrids. May show tip or even branch damage following colder winters in central Maine, some susceptibility to black knot. Z4/5. (3–6' bare-root trees)

Maine Grown.
ships in spring

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Quick Details
Harvest Season
late summer
Maine Grown
Yes
Skin Color
red-purple
Flesh Color
red-purple
Hardy to Zone
4
Compare
Compare with other Hybrid Plums
Variety Product Type Harvest Season Maine Grown Skin Color Flesh Color Hardy to Zone
Black Ice bare-root trees midsummer purple-black purplish red 3
Cocheco bare-root trees midsummer Yes red-orange dark pinkish red 4
Gracious bare-root trees late summer Yes coral red yellow-orange 3
Grenville bare-root trees late summer Yes rosy red yellow 3
Hanska bare-root trees summer Yes bright red yellow 3
Kahinta bare-root trees mid-late summer Yes red-purple yellow-orange 3
La Crescent bare-root trees late summer Yes yellow yellow 3
Lavina bare-root trees mid-late summer Yes amber 4
Obilinya bare-root trees midsummer Yes purplish red red-blushed yellow 4
Pembina bare-root trees early summer Yes bright red dark golden orange 3
Pipestone bare-root trees late summer Yes deep red yellow 3
Purple Heart bare-root trees late summer Yes red-purple red-purple 4
Shiro bare-root trees midsummer light yellow light yellow 5
Toka bare-root trees late summer Yes rosy purplish red yellow 3
Underwood bare-root trees midsummer Yes dull red golden yellow 3
Waneta bare-root trees midsummer reddish maroon orange 3
Pamela bare-root trees Yes red 3
Elephant Heart scionwood late summer purple purplish red 4
Hanska scionwood summer bright red yellow 3
La Crescent scionwood late summer yellow yellow 3
Shiro scionwood midsummer light yellow light yellow 5
Additional Information

Hybrid Plums Prunus spp.

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.
  • Planting: See our planning and planting and pests and diseases pages for more information about soil prep, planting, and pest control.
  • Spacing: 15–20' apart, or closer for a thicket.

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered on or before February 20 will ship from March through early May, starting with warmer areas and finishing in colder areas.

Orders placed after February 20 will ship from April to May.