Canada Wild Plum Seeds

Canada Wild Plum (Prunus nigra) is a hardy native tree of the prairies and parklands of Manitoba, where it is relatively rare. Its oblong red and yellow plums are usually 1 to 1.25 inches long, with sweet flesh and tart skin, and ripen here in late August after American Wild Plums have usually dropped.

The species is an excellent pollinator for hybrid plums, provides wildlife food, and can be used as plum rootstock. It usually forms a more distinct single trunk and suckers less than American Wild Plum.

These seeds came from an old orchard row likely planted for rootstock 30 to 40 years ago. The isolated trees are open pollinated mainly by other wild plums in the row. Seedlings will vary, and some hybridization is possible, but most should remain close to the species.

Cold Hardiness Zone: 2
Seed Source: Manitoba
Stratification Required: 1 to 2 months warm, followed by 3 to 4 months cold
Mature Size: 3 to 5 m