Growing your own plums is more than just a sweet idea—it’s a flavorful adventure waiting to happen. From sun-ripened snacking to homemade jams and pies, plum trees bring beauty, bounty, and a burst of juicy goodness right to your backyard. With a wide variety of colors, flavors, and growth styles to choose from, there’s a perfect plum tree for every garden, taste, and climate. Whether you’re after heavy harvests, stunning spring blossoms, or a little of both, this guide will help you discover the ideal variety to turn your garden into a plum paradise. Let’s dive in!
1. ‘Santa Rosa’
USDA zone: 5-9
To savor the taste of a Japanese plum, consider planting this tree. ‘Santa Rosa’ is partially self-fertile, making it a great choice for small gardens. The flavor profile is a delightful mix of sweet and tart, perfect for fresh eating or cooking.
Its lovely blossoms are a treat in spring, adding beauty to any landscape. If you’re looking for a productive and ornamental tree, ‘Santa Rosa’ may be the right fit for your orchard.
2. ‘Stanley’
USDA zone: 5-8
If you fancy a plum that’s as versatile as it is tasty, this one might be for you. ‘Stanley’ is a European plum known for its sweet flavor, perfect for fresh eating or drying into prunes. It’s self-fertile, so you can enjoy a bountiful harvest without a second tree.
The tree’s vigorous growth ensures a lovely addition to your garden or orchard. Whether you’re a gardener or a gourmet, ‘Stanley’ offers endless possibilities.
3. ‘Satsuma’
USDA zone: 6-10
Red on the inside with a personality to match, this plum is truly unforgettable. ‘Satsuma’ boasts a rich, sweet-tart flavor that’s a favorite for fresh consumption. Its Japanese lineage promises a unique taste experience.
The eye-catching blossoms make it a standout in any garden. With its vibrant color and delightful taste, ‘Satsuma’ is sure to be a garden showstopper.
4. ‘Green Gage’
USDA zone: 5-9
A connoisseur’s choice, this plum is celebrated for its unparalleled sweetness. ‘Green Gage’ features distinctive green skin and a flavor profile that makes desserts sing. It’s a versatile choice for any culinary creation.
This heirloom variety flourishes with sunlight and good soil. Its charming blossoms herald the coming of a delicious harvest. For those who crave something sweet, ‘Green Gage’ is the plum to grow.
5. ‘Methley’
USDA zone: 5-9
Early risers get the plum, especially when it comes to this variety. Known for its early harvest, ‘Methley’ is a Japanese plum that delights with its reddish-purple skin. The soft, juicy flesh is perfect for a summer treat.
‘Methley’s’ lovely blossoms make it an ornamental addition to gardens. If you’re after an early harvest, this plum might be the ideal choice for you.
6. ‘Elephant Heart’
USDA zone: 5-9
This plum wears its heart on its sleeve, or rather its skin. ‘Elephant Heart’ is known for its large size and distinctive heart shape. The red flesh is as striking as it is tasty, making it a favorite for fresh eating and desserts.
The tree’s beautiful blossoms add visual appeal to any landscape. If you’re seeking a unique and flavorful plum, ‘Elephant Heart’ is a choice worth considering.
7. ‘Shiro’
USDA zone: 5-9
When life gives you lemons, plant a tree that gives you golden plums instead. ‘Shiro’ produces bright yellow fruits that are sweet with a mild flavor. It’s an early harvest variety that promises a sunny addition to your garden.
But the best parts are the flowers! The cheerful blossoms make it a lovely ornamental feature. For those wanting a splash of color and taste, ‘Shiro’ is an excellent garden choice.
8. ‘Italian’ Prune Plum
USDA zone: 5-9
If plums could be pasta, this would be linguine. Known for its dense texture, the ‘Italian’ prune plum is perfect for drying and canning. Its adaptability in temperate climates makes it a reliable choice for home orchards.
I love the blossoms which are almost a charming herald of the fruit to come. For canning enthusiasts and plum lovers, this variety offers a taste of Italy in your backyard.
9. ‘Toka’
USDA zone: 3-8
For those who enjoy a fragrant orchard, this plum brings a sweet surprise. Known as the “bubblegum plum,” ‘Toka’ offers a tantalizing aroma and unique flavor. Its hybrid nature ensures cold hardiness, making it a reliable choice for colder climates.
Its charming flowers are an added bonus to its aromatic appeal. Gardeners looking for something different will find ‘Toka’ an intriguing addition.
10. ‘Ozark Premier’
USDA zone: 5-9
Size counts, especially when it comes to this plum. ‘Ozark Premier’ is celebrated for its large, flavorful fruits and robust resistance to disease. This makes it a top pick for gardeners seeking quality and reliability.
The tree’s blooms add beauty to its bounty. If you’re aiming for a hearty and fruitful harvest, ‘Ozark Premier’ could be your plum of choice.
11. ‘Alderman’
USDA zone: 3-8
Not all plums are created equal, and this variety proves it. ‘Alderman’ offers hybrid vigor with its reddish skin and yellow flesh. It’s particularly suited for northern climates, bringing flavor and color to cooler regions.
‘Alderman’s loves the cold. And it’s blooms are as appealing as its fruit. If you’re gardening in the north, ‘Alderman’ might be the plum tree for you.
12. ‘Beauty’
USDA zone: 5-9
A plum by any other name would still be as sweet, especially this one. ‘Beauty’ is known for its prolific fruiting and sweet yellow flesh. Its ornamental appeal makes it a showstopper in any garden setting.
It might not be the most cold-hardy variety, but it makes it up with its gorgeous flowers. The tree’s blooms are a prelude to a beautiful harvest. For a blend of productivity and aesthetics, ‘Beauty’ is a plum worth planting.
13. ‘La Crescent’
USDA zone: 4-8
Sweet as honey and just as golden, this plum is a delightful addition to any orchard. ‘La Crescent’ offers golden-skinned fruit with a honey-sweet flavor ideal for home gardens. Its manageable size makes it a practical choice for smaller spaces.
Thriving in warmth, the tree’s blossoms add a touch of elegance to its productive nature. If you’re after a sweet treat in a compact form, ‘La Crescent’ might just be your match.
14. ‘President’
USDA zone: 5-9
In the world of plums, this one takes office without a vote. ‘President’ is a European plum variety known for its late harvest and large, oval fruits. It’s a reliable choice for those who prefer a fall harvest.
And yes, it lives up to its name. Its royal blossoms are a delightful sight leading up to the autumn harvest. If you’re looking for a plum that delivers later in the season, ‘President’ is a worthy candidate.
15. ‘Blue Damson’
USDA zone: 5-9
Small in size but big in flavor, this plum is a classic choice for preserves. ‘Blue Damson’ offers a tart flavor that’s perfect for jams and jellies. Its old-world charm adds a touch of history to your orchard.
‘Blue Damson’s’ flowers are a charming bonus to its productive nature. For those who love homemade preserves, ‘Blue Damson’ is a must-have.
16. ‘Valor’
USDA zone: 5-9
With valor comes sweetness, especially in this high-yielding variety. ‘Valor’ features blue-purple skin and a sweet flavor that’s a favorite among gardeners. Its productivity makes it a stellar choice for those seeking a generous harvest.
And no, you don’t need a lot of valor to grow it! Plus, the blossoms are as lovely as the fruit they precede. If you’re after a plum that’s both beautiful and bountiful, ‘Valor’ is your dependable ally.
17. ‘Pipestone’
USDA zone: 3-8
When the weather turns cold, this plum stands firm. ‘Pipestone’ is renowned for its cold hardiness and large red fruits. The yellow flesh adds a burst of color to northern gardens.
Its cold hardiness is actually the first thing that makes gardeners plant ‘Pipestone.’ The second could be the blooms, whch are as appealing as its fruit. For those in cooler climates, ‘Pipestone’ offers a colorful and reliable plum option.
18. ‘Imperial Epineuse’
USDA zone: 5-9
A taste of France in your own backyard, this plum is the epitome of dessert quality. ‘Imperial Epineuse’ offers a rich flavor that’s as attractive as it is delicious. Its French origin adds a touch of elegance to any orchard.
The tree’s blossoms are a beautiful prelude to its flavorful fruit. For those who seek a plum with sophistication and taste, ‘Imperial Epineuse’ is an excellent choice.