Skip to product information
1 of 5
Pre-Order Today!

Item Number: FT204

Italian Plum Tree

Italian Plum Tree

Classic prunes with rich flavor.

Italian plum trees are renowned for their sweet, firm fruit with deep purple skin and golden flesh. These medium-sized plums are perfect for fresh eating, drying into prunes, or using in baked goods. The tree thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, requiring moderate chill hours to produce its abundant harvests. Italian plums are self-fruitful, making them a reliable and easy-to-grow choice for home orchards. With their rich flavor, versatility, and productivity, Italian plums are a timeless addition to any garden.

Semi-dwarf on Citation rootstock.

  • Zones: 5-9
  • Chill hours: 300-800
  • Harvest: August-September
  • Looks: Large, purple-skinned freestone. Greenish yellow flesh that turns red when cooked.
  • Personality: Rich flavor, very sweet, use fresh, dried, canned.
  • Facts of note: The Italian Plum or prune-plum is thought to have originated in Italy. One of the most popular home garden varieties of European plum, the variety has found more success outside of Italy since its introduction. Concentrated flowery fruit flavor and dense texture making it ideal for fresh eating, drying or dehydrating, or cooked into any of a number of popular culinary dishes. When cooked down the resulting concentrate has a rich jammy consistency. Low in water when cooked down tit has rich sugary fruity flavor. Self fruitful and cold hardy and rich in fiber, Vitamins A, C and K along with antioxidants.
  • Pollination: Self-fruitful.

The Italian Plum tree, scientifically known as Prunus domestica, is a delightful addition to any garden or orchard. Known for its sweet and succulent fruits, this semi-dwarf tree is a favorite among fruit enthusiasts and home gardeners.

Characteristics of the Italian Plum Tree

The Italian Plum tree, also referred to as European Plum, stands out with its unique characteristics:

  1. Semi-Dwarf Growth: This particular variety of plum tree is classified as semi-dwarf. It typically reaches a manageable height of 12 to 15 feet when fully mature, making it suitable for smaller gardens or orchards where space is limited.

  2. Fruit Size and Flavor: Italian Plums are renowned for their exquisite flavor. The fruits are small to medium-sized, usually oval or oblong in shape, and have a deep purple or blue skin with a sweet and slightly tart flavor. These plums are perfect for fresh eating, baking, and making jams and preserves.

  3. Blossoms: In the spring, Italian Plum trees produce beautiful white or pale pink blossoms that add a touch of elegance to your garden. These blossoms are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as an essential stage in the tree's fruiting process.

  4. Self-Fertile: One of the notable features of Italian Plum trees is that they are self-fertile, meaning they do not require a second plum tree for pollination. However, planting multiple plum trees can increase fruit production.

Cultivation Tips for Italian Plum Trees

Growing and caring for Italian Plum trees can be a rewarding experience. Here are some key cultivation tips to help you successfully nurture this semi-dwarf fruit tree:

  1. Location: Choose a sunny spot in your garden or orchard with well-draining soil for your Italian Plum tree. Adequate sunlight is essential for fruit production and flavor development.

  2. Planting: When planting your Italian Plum tree, dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the root system comfortably. Ensure that the graft union (the swollen area on the lower trunk) is above the soil line.

  3. Pruning: Regular pruning is crucial for maintaining the tree's shape, removing dead or diseased branches, and encouraging optimal fruit production. Prune during the dormant season, typically in late winter or early spring.

  4. Watering: Provide consistent and deep watering during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Deep watering helps establish a robust root system.

  5. Fertilization: Italian Plum trees benefit from balanced fertilizer applications. Use a fertilizer with a balanced N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio to promote healthy growth and fruit development.

Rewards of Growing Italian Plum Trees

The Italian Plum tree offers several rewards to the diligent gardener:

  1. Delicious Harvest: The main reward, of course, is the bountiful harvest of sweet and flavorful plums that can be enjoyed fresh, used in various culinary creations, or preserved for later consumption.

  2. Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruits, the Italian Plum tree adds ornamental value to your garden with its attractive spring blossoms and lush foliage.

  3. Low Maintenance: Semi-dwarf trees like the Italian Plum are relatively low maintenance, making them suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.

  4. Self-Pollinating: The tree's self-fertile nature simplifies the process of growing plums, as you don't need multiple trees for cross-pollination.

The Italian Plum tree, with its semi-dwarf stature, delectable fruits, and ease of cultivation, is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their garden or orchard. Whether you're an avid fruit enthusiast or simply enjoy the aesthetic appeal of blossoming trees, the Italian Plum tree offers a delightful and rewarding experience for any gardener.

 

Visit our Fruit Tree Central for a listing of all our fruit tree videos and articles.

Visit Tree Characteristics for a listing of all our fruit & nut tree growing characteristics.

Available to Ship After: 1/17/2025. Order today to reserve yours!
$59.99
Satisfaction guaranteed shipping

Check Your Zone Compatibility:

Description

Italian plum trees are renowned for their sweet, firm fruit with deep purple skin and golden flesh. These medium-sized plums are perfect for fresh eating, drying into prunes, or using in baked goods. The tree thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, requiring moderate chill hours to produce its abundant harvests. Italian plums are self-fruitful, making them a reliable and easy-to-grow choice for home orchards. With their rich flavor, versatility, and productivity, Italian plums are a timeless addition to any garden.

Semi-dwarf on Citation rootstock.

  • Zones: 5-9
  • Chill hours: 300-800
  • Harvest: August-September
  • Looks: Large, purple-skinned freestone. Greenish yellow flesh that turns red when cooked.
  • Personality: Rich flavor, very sweet, use fresh, dried, canned.
  • Facts of note: The Italian Plum or prune-plum is thought to have originated in Italy. One of the most popular home garden varieties of European plum, the variety has found more success outside of Italy since its introduction. Concentrated flowery fruit flavor and dense texture making it ideal for fresh eating, drying or dehydrating, or cooked into any of a number of popular culinary dishes. When cooked down the resulting concentrate has a rich jammy consistency. Low in water when cooked down tit has rich sugary fruity flavor. Self fruitful and cold hardy and rich in fiber, Vitamins A, C and K along with antioxidants.
  • Pollination: Self-fruitful.

The Italian Plum tree, scientifically known as Prunus domestica, is a delightful addition to any garden or orchard. Known for its sweet and succulent fruits, this semi-dwarf tree is a favorite among fruit enthusiasts and home gardeners.

Characteristics of the Italian Plum Tree

The Italian Plum tree, also referred to as European Plum, stands out with its unique characteristics:

  1. Semi-Dwarf Growth: This particular variety of plum tree is classified as semi-dwarf. It typically reaches a manageable height of 12 to 15 feet when fully mature, making it suitable for smaller gardens or orchards where space is limited.

  2. Fruit Size and Flavor: Italian Plums are renowned for their exquisite flavor. The fruits are small to medium-sized, usually oval or oblong in shape, and have a deep purple or blue skin with a sweet and slightly tart flavor. These plums are perfect for fresh eating, baking, and making jams and preserves.

  3. Blossoms: In the spring, Italian Plum trees produce beautiful white or pale pink blossoms that add a touch of elegance to your garden. These blossoms are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as an essential stage in the tree's fruiting process.

  4. Self-Fertile: One of the notable features of Italian Plum trees is that they are self-fertile, meaning they do not require a second plum tree for pollination. However, planting multiple plum trees can increase fruit production.

Cultivation Tips for Italian Plum Trees

Growing and caring for Italian Plum trees can be a rewarding experience. Here are some key cultivation tips to help you successfully nurture this semi-dwarf fruit tree:

  1. Location: Choose a sunny spot in your garden or orchard with well-draining soil for your Italian Plum tree. Adequate sunlight is essential for fruit production and flavor development.

  2. Planting: When planting your Italian Plum tree, dig a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate the root system comfortably. Ensure that the graft union (the swollen area on the lower trunk) is above the soil line.

  3. Pruning: Regular pruning is crucial for maintaining the tree's shape, removing dead or diseased branches, and encouraging optimal fruit production. Prune during the dormant season, typically in late winter or early spring.

  4. Watering: Provide consistent and deep watering during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Deep watering helps establish a robust root system.

  5. Fertilization: Italian Plum trees benefit from balanced fertilizer applications. Use a fertilizer with a balanced N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio to promote healthy growth and fruit development.

Rewards of Growing Italian Plum Trees

The Italian Plum tree offers several rewards to the diligent gardener:

  1. Delicious Harvest: The main reward, of course, is the bountiful harvest of sweet and flavorful plums that can be enjoyed fresh, used in various culinary creations, or preserved for later consumption.

  2. Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruits, the Italian Plum tree adds ornamental value to your garden with its attractive spring blossoms and lush foliage.

  3. Low Maintenance: Semi-dwarf trees like the Italian Plum are relatively low maintenance, making them suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.

  4. Self-Pollinating: The tree's self-fertile nature simplifies the process of growing plums, as you don't need multiple trees for cross-pollination.

The Italian Plum tree, with its semi-dwarf stature, delectable fruits, and ease of cultivation, is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their garden or orchard. Whether you're an avid fruit enthusiast or simply enjoy the aesthetic appeal of blossoming trees, the Italian Plum tree offers a delightful and rewarding experience for any gardener.

 

Visit our Fruit Tree Central for a listing of all our fruit tree videos and articles.

Visit Tree Characteristics for a listing of all our fruit & nut tree growing characteristics.

About Plums: Plums are not generally self-pollinated and can be tricky to grow in areas with late frosts but are superb for fresh eating. They are the favored fresh eating varieties in the United states being larger, firmer fleshed, and rounder than European plums. Japanese plum trees have rougher bark, more persistent spurs, and more numerous flowers than European plums. They are also more precocious, disease resistant, and vigorous than European plums. Japanese plum flavor ranges from sweet to tart. Browse all our plum trees for sale.

Please Note: Although most of our bare-root trees arrive to our warehouse in mid-December, there are a few varieties that will not arrive until mid-January. If you order any of those varieties along with varieties that arrive in mid-December, your order will be delayed for shipment until mid-January. If you'd like us to split your shipments, please contact us at (888) 784-1722 or orderdesk@groworganic.com. Additional shipping charges will apply.

Shipping Information

Ships from Northern CA.

Cannot ship to the following states: HI, AK, PR, GU, VI

Shipping Weight: 5.0 lb

Dimensions: 47.5"L x 7.3"W x 2.75"H

Features

  • Bare Root
  • Self-fruitful
  • Suited to Cold Climates

Characteristics

USDA Growing Zone: 5 - 9
Approximate Harvest Time : Early Fall
Approximate Harvest Time : Late Summer
Chill Hours Needed : 300-800
Planting Time : Winter
Time to Fruit Production : 3 Years
Tree Size : Semi-dwarf

Planting & Care

Useful Information

Guarantee

Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee

* Claim deadline is June 15th

We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3 days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the tree and its roots to helpdesk@groworganic.com.  We will investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the damaged product.

If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding shipping. Please see the Instructions below.

Important Dates:

  • April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
  • May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
  • June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit

All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied, without exception. Instructions listed below

Terms and Conditions

We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease, etc.). 

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant of the same species either that same growing season or in future years. Customers are responsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement trees and plants. 

If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.

Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily plant your tree or plant in a pot. 

Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus, avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree and Plant Guarantee. 

Instructions

We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple steps to apply for a store credit:

Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below the graft. 

Green Cambium Layer / Living Trees

If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.

Brown Cambium Layer / Dead Trees

If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required documentation listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be received by June 15th.  Incomplete submissions will be denied.

Required Documentation

  1. Order number
  2. Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
  3. Photos of each tree or plant showing: 
    1. The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground)
    2. The scratch test areas
    3. The entire tree/plant

We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.

View full details

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
50%
(2)
50%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
R
RonJ
Nice tree

When I received my order, I was impressed with the size of the tree. We'll see how well It'll do

K
Keith
Tree looked great upon delivery. Hoping for great growth.

Upon delivery, I was impressed with the apparent quality of this tree from groworganic. It was thick and branches were pruned nicely. I can only give 4 stars now because the trees are still dormant, but I'm expecting to see good growth based on what I received.

P
Plum
Virginia

I live in south Virginia I bought two of these trees and planted them to the instructions. Year one it got some leave but no flowers. I’m will update this in the spring once the buds start to come out. 12-01-17

K
Kim
Plum

I live at about 2800ft elevation. I planted this tree in early March. It was one of my first trees to leaf out but it took until mid-late April. In a month, it has grown considerably-full of leaves. I'm excited about the growth, but I do miss the light pink flowers! My advice-be patient. I was worried that it took some time to show any sign of life while friends trees had leafed out a month before mine at slightly lower elevations. Now I can't wait for fruit!

Carbon-neutral shipping with Shopify Planet
Carbon-neutral shipping on all orders
69139kg
shipping emissions removed
That's like...
176995
miles driven by an average gasoline-powered car
We fund innovations in...
Soil
Forest