Oak Summit Nursery
New Oka Cherry Plum (Prunus besseyi x Prunus salicina)
New Oka Cherry Plum (Prunus besseyi x Prunus salicina)
Fall 2026 plant sale
Fall plant ordering opens in September. Shipping begins in October 2026.
Set a reminderCouldn't load pickup availability
New Oka Cherry Plum is a unique hybrid that combines the sweet, juicy flavor of traditional plums with the cold hardiness of western sand cherries. It has slightly larger fruit than Dura with a brighter, more complex flavor profile. It ripens earlier than many hybrids like Opata, providing a reliable early-season harvest.
Cold Hardiness Zone: 2
Mature Size: 8-10 ft tall and 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 |
Plant Details
Our cherry plums are own rooted plants.
Fall 2026 plant sale
Plants are sold seasonally after nursery stock is counted. Fall ordering opens in September and shipping begins in October 2026. Add a reminder and we will email when this listing opens.
This reminder is separate from products saved for later.
