European plums(Prunus domestica ) typically do not require a compatible tree for pollination while most Japanese ( Prunus salicina ) plums do . ill-tempered - pollinating trees have to give flowers and bear pollen at the same time , so some combinations of cultivars work while others do not .
Main Plum Varieties
Japanese plums , sometimes call Asiatic plums , are juicier than European plum but not quite as sweet-smelling . The full term used to betoken that they need another tree for pollen is that they are " self - unfruitful . "
A European plum tree planted alone will bear fruit , intend it is " ego - fruitful , " but if it welcome pollen from another European cultivar , it will yield more plum .
To avail the consumer prime compatible cultivars for hybridizing - pollination , plum trees are often group intoearly , mid - season and late time of year varieties .
European Plums
European plumstypically grow better in cold mood . Here are some example of European plum variety and some cultivar suitable for hybridization pollination to increase plum tree yields .
The greenish - white-livered Valor plum tree ( Prunus domestica’Valor ' ) , U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 may be pollinated by :
( Prunus domestica’Italian ' ) , self - fertile , USDA zone 5 through 8 .
( Prunus domestica’Stanley ' ) , ego prolific , USDA zones 4 through 9 .
The large , round Seneca plum ( Prunus domestica’Seneca ' ) , USDA zones 5 through 8 , may be pollinate by :
( Prunus domestica’Damson ' ) , USDA zones 5 through 7 .
Gage ( Prunus domestica’Green Gage ' ) , USDA zone 4 through 7 .
Japanese Plums
Almost allJapanese plumsneed a compatible pollinating tree . As with European plums , a ego - fertile Japanese plum tree will yield more plums if it receives pollen from a compatible cultivar . Here are a couple of examples of ego - fruitful Japanese plum tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree :
through 9 .
Here are some examples of Japanese plum tree cultivars and some variety show utilitarian for cross pollination . All of these cultivars will grow in USDA zones 5 through 9 .
The ruby - skinned Satsuma ( Prunus salicina’Satsuma ' ) can be pollinated by :
The yellow - skinned Shiro ( Prunus salicina’Shiro ' ) can be pollinated by :
( Prunus salicina’Burbank ' )
( Prunus salicina’Vanier ' )
All four of these cultivars are sturdy in USDA zones 5 through 9 .
Hybrid
Plums
Although Nipponese plums will live on winters , they do better in tender mood . Nipponese plums are often crossed with cold - brave raging American plum ( Prunus americana ) to yieldhybrid plum treesthat produce sweet-flavored , juicy Japanese - style plums in the northerly tier up of states .
intercrossed plum need a pollinating Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . They can be pollinate by another intercrossed plum or by the American wild plum tree .
Tip
Methey ( Prunus salicina’Methey ' ) , USDA zone 5 through 9 , is an example of a self - fruitful Nipponese - American plum tree crossbreed .
European plums are also cross with American plum tree to form hybrid smorgasbord , but less often . The plums yielded by hybrid tree are little than pure - specie tree . European - American hybrid ask a pollinating tree .
American Plums
American plums , wild plum that typically grow in a bush - like form and yield modest plum , need another American plum tree for pollination . While they will pollinate a intercrossed plum Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , they will not pollenate a European or Japanese plum variety .
American plum will grow in USDA zones 3b through 8 .
