Italian Prune Plum Tree | Classic Sweet Purple Prune Plum

Italian Prune

15 Gallon

$199.00

1/5

Italian Prune

Prunus domestica 'Italian'

The Classic Prune Plum for Drying • Firm, Sweet Freestone Flesh • Hardy & Heavy Producer

$199.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Italian Prune Plum is the quintessential, time-honored European plum for drying and baking, revered for its perfect balance of sweetness, firm texture, and reliable production. This hardy tree produces an abundance of large, oval, deep purple fruit with rich, sweet yellow flesh that clings tenaciously to the freestone pit. While excellent fresh, its true glory is revealed when dried into succulent prunes or baked into classic tarts and cakes, where its flavor intensifies beautifully. With a graceful, spreading form and good cold tolerance, it's a steadfast and productive choice for the home orchard.

The classic European plum for making the finest dried prunes and for exceptional baking.
Produces heavy crops of large, oval, freestone fruit with deep purple skin and sweet yellow flesh.
Flesh is firm, dense, and less juicy than Japanese plums, concentrating its sweetness.
Self-pollinating, but planting with another European plum will increase yield.
A hardy, deciduous tree with a naturally spreading, weeping canopy that can be pruned to a manageable size.
Ripens in mid to late season, offering fruit for fresh eating and processing over time.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: Richly sweet with a pleasant, balancing tartness.
Texture: Very firm, meaty, and dense—ideal for drying and holding shape when baked.
Best Uses: The premier plum for drying into prunes. Also superb for fresh eating, plum tarts, jams, and savory dishes.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Oval leaves with fine serrated edges, vibrant green color.Flowers: Five-petaled white blossoms in early spring (partially self-fertile but greatly benefits from cross-pollination).Fruit: Large, elongated oval shape with smooth, deep purple skin and golden-yellow flesh.Flavor: Intensely sweet with balanced acidity, firm texture with less juice than other plums
Mature Height: 15-20 ft
Mature Width: 12-15 ft
Key Advantages:Premium baking plum: Ideal for prunes, preserves, and desserts due to high sugar content and firm flesh.Freestone variety: Pit separates easily from flesh for easy preparation.Late season harvest: Ripens in late summer to early fall (August-September).Excellent drying plum: Traditionally used for making prunes
Landscape Uses:Orchard planting.Edible hedgerows.Pollinator gardens (early spring blooms support bees)
Care Requirements:Light: Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily).Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soils.Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established.Pruning: Annual pruning recommended to maintain shape and productivity
Pollination Partners:Plant with other European plum varieties like 'Stanley' or 'Methley' for best yields

Q: Can you eat Italian Prune plums fresh?
A: Absolutely! When fully ripe, they are sweet and delicious fresh off the tree. However, their firmer, less juicy texture is specifically prized for cooking and drying without becoming mushy.

Q: Do I need two trees to get fruit?
A: No, it is self-fertile and will produce a crop on its own. However, for a significantly larger harvest, cross-pollination with a different European plum variety (like 'Green Gage' or 'Stanley') is highly recommended.

Q: How do I dry them to make prunes?
A: Harvest when fully ripe, wash, and pit if desired. Halve or dry whole in a food dehydrator or very low oven until leathery but still slightly pliable. Their high sugar and low moisture content make them perfect for this.