Dura Cherry Plum (Prunus besseyi x Prunus salicina)

Dura Cherry Plum is a hardy hybrid developed for cold climates, particularly suitable for the Canadian Prairies.

Dura Cherry Plum produces medium-sized fruits that are a deep red to purple color when ripe. The fruit’s skin is smooth and glossy, with a firm texture and a moderately sweet flavor, making it ideal for fresh eating or processing into jams and preserves. It has a more upright growth habit compared to the spreading form of Sapalta, and its fruit can be sweeter than Opata or Manor.

This small tree or shrub is a cross between the native Sandcherry (Prunus besseyi) and Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), combining cold hardiness with improved fruit quality. Dura Cherry Plum produces small to medium-sized red to purple fruits with a sweet, slightly tart flavor, ripening in mid to late summer. The fruits are excellent for fresh eating, jams, jellies, or baking.

This cultivar has a compact growth habit and requires full sun to produce the best fruit. It is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy or clay soils, and is drought-tolerant once established. Dura Cherry Plum is also self-pollinating, making it a reliable choice for home gardeners looking for a low-maintenance, fruit-bearing plant.

Cold Hardiness Zone: 2
Mature Size: 6-8 ft tall and wide

Here's a comparison of the cherry plum cultivars we're growing.