Oak Summit Nursery
Kappa Cherry Plum (Prunus besseyi x Prunus salicina 'Kappa')
Kappa Cherry Plum (Prunus besseyi x Prunus salicina 'Kappa')
Kappa Cherry Plum is a hardy hybrid cherry plum originating from South Dakota. Similar to Dura, but it features a larger, sweeter fruit with a firmer texture. The Kappa cultivar produces medium-sized, deep red to purple fruits with a sweeter flavor profile compared to Dura, New Oka, and Opata. It has a more upright growth habit than Dura, and while both Kappa and Dura are self-pollinating, Kappa often yields larger and juicier fruits that are ideal for fresh eating and culinary uses. Compared to New Oka, which has a milder flavor and smaller fruit, Kappa offers a more intense taste and color. Meanwhile, Opata, another cold-hardy variety, tends to have smaller, tarter fruits, making Kappa a more versatile choice for gardeners looking for a combination of ornamental beauty and fruit quality.
Cold Hardiness Zone: 3
Mature Size: 8-12 ft tall, 6-10 ft wide
Here's a comparison of the cherry plum cultivars we're growing.
Name | Year Introduced | Breeding Parentage | Breeder / Institution | Flesh Color | Skin Color | Size | Flavor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compass | 1896 | Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi) × Native Plum (Prunus americana) | H. Knudson, Minnesota | Yellow | Red | Small to medium | Good for processing |
Sapa | 1908 | Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi) × 'Sultan' Plum | South Dakota Experiment Station, Brookings, SD | Dark purple-red | Glossy dark purple | Small | Sweet, slightly tart |
Opata | 1908 | Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi) × Gold Plum | South Dakota Experiment Station, Brookings, SD | Yellowish green | Reddish purple | Small | Good for preserves |
Kappa | 1960 | Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi) × Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina) | University of Saskatchewan | Green or yellow | Dark, bluish-black when ripe | Semi-dwarf | Sweet, fruity with a plum/cherry flavor |
Sapalta | 1941 | Sand Cherry (Prunus besseyi) × Japanese Plum (P. salicina) | Alberta Horticulture Research Centre, Brooks, AB | Dark purple | Reddish purple | Small to medium | Sweet, rich, excellent for jam or canning |
Dura | 1942 | Sapa seedling | Morden Experimental Station, Manitoba, Canada | Red | Green blotched with purple | Medium | Excellent for canning |
Manor | 1945 | Sapa seedling | Morden Experimental Station, Manitoba, Canada | Dark red to purplish | Dark purple red | Medium | Sweet with trace of astringency, good for canning |