Plum tree (Prunus spp.) Size varies, depending on the species and cultivar. The rootstock onto which a tree is grafted also impacts the height. The adult size of this tree may also be affected by growing conditions. Some plum trees boom and easily reach their entire size in dry soil with an alkaline pH, while others will fight to live and could be stunted.
Drought-Tolerant Plum Trees
Wild or American plum trees (Prunus americana) and also chickasaw plums (P. angustifolia) are drought-tolerant species which grow well with supplemental moisture or at dry conditions. American plums can grow to a mature height of 20 to 40 feet but usually top out in a height and canopy width of 25 feet. They produce fragrant, white flowers with a pale pink blush at the spring, followed by 1-inch diameter burgundy, red or yellow-brown plums. They’re hardy at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8. Clay, loamy or sandy soil with acidic, neutral or alkaline pH is fine using a full or partial sunlight exposure. Chickasaw plums vary in their adult height. They can grow in shrub form using a mature height of 4 to 10 feet or in tree form, to a height of 25 feet. These are late-winter blooming plums that produce fragrant, white flowers followed by tart, 1/2-inch diameter reddish to yellow plums. Chickasaw plums grow in USDA zones 6 to 9 and grow well in acidic clay, loamy or sandy soil that drains fast. Full sun is best, however they will grow in partial shade.
Dwarf Plum Trees
European plum trees (P. domestica) usually grow to 25 feet tall. They produce fragrant, white spring flowers followed by an abundance of edible black, yellow or green 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch diameter plums. Clay, loamy or sandy soil with acidic, neutral or alkaline pH is great for this particular tree having a full sun exposure. It grows best when the ground is kept uniformly moist. The “Stanley” dwarf plum cultivar (P. domestica “Stanley”) comes at three heights. The standard height is 15 to 20 feet while the semi-dwarf is 12 to 15 feet tall and the dwarf is 8 to 10 feet tall. They all develop a canopy width very similar to their height. The species and dwarf cultivars have comparable growth requirements in addition to flowering and fruiting habits. They are usually hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, though that varies depending on the cultivar and rootstock.
Plum Trees With Burgundy Foliage
Cherry plum trees (P. cerasifera) may grow into a mature height of 15 to 30 feet and canopy width of 15 to 25 feet but typically grow to 15 to 25 feet tall with a canopy width around 20 feet. In the spring they produce white flowers with a pink blush, followed by an abundance of blue, crimson, 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch diameter plums. The leaf is burgundy- to bronze-green. The “Krauter Vesuvius” cultivar (P. cerasifera “Krauter Vesuvius”) rises to a height of 20 to 25 feet using a 15-foot-wide canopy and deep burgundy foliage. In late winter or early spring, “Krauter Vesuvius” trees produce fragrant pink flowers, but a few, if any, 1 1/2- to 3-inch diameter purple plums. Cherry plum trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8. They grow best in loamy, acidic soil that drains fast in sunlight but will also grow in clay and sandy soil or using a partial colour exposure.
Plum Trees With Big Fruit
Japanese plum trees (P. salicina) and Mexican plum trees (P. mexicana) produce big, creamy plums which may be around 3 inches in diameter. Both species grow to a width and height of approximately 25 feet and produce white spring flowers. Japanese plum tree fruit can be green, purple, yellow or red. Mexican plum tree fruit is purple or red. Both species grow in clay, loamy or sandy soil using an acidic, neutral or alkaline pH in full sunlight and are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 8.