Plum trees are a delightful addition to any garden or landscape, providing beautiful blossoms in the spring and delicious fruits in the summer. When it comes to pollination, it is important to consider whether a plum tree is self-pollinating or requires cross-pollination with another variety.
In the case of European plums, most of them are self-pollinating, which means they can produce fruit without the need for another plum tree nearby. This is great news for gardeners with limited space or those who prefer to have just one plum tree in their garden. Some popular self-pollinating European plum varieties include ‘Stanley,’ ‘Italian Prune,’ and ‘Blue Damson.’
On the other hand, Japanese plums are also mostly self-pollinating, but they do not cross-pollinate with European plums. This means that if you have a Japanese plum tree, it will need another Japanese plum tree nearby for successful cross-pollination. Some self-pollinating Japanese plum varieties include ‘Santa Rosa,’ ‘Satsuma,’ and ‘Methley.’
Now, let’s talk about a fascinating hybrid known as plumcots or pluots. Plumcots are a cross between plums and apricots, while pluots are a cross between plums and apricots with a higher percentage of plum genetics. These unique fruits offer a delightful combination of flavors from both parent fruits. When it comes to pollination, plumcots and pluots can be pollinated with Japanese plums since they share the same genetic background.
In my own gardening experience, I have grown both self-pollinating European plums and Japanese plums. Having a self-pollinating European plum tree was convenient because I didn’t need to worry about having another tree nearby for pollination. The tree consistently produced a bountiful harvest of delicious plums year after year.
However, when I decided to add a Japanese plum tree to my garden, I had to make sure I selected a self-pollinating variety and also had a suitable location for planting a second tree to ensure successful cross-pollination. The vibrant blossoms and sweet fruits that resulted from the cross-pollination were truly a sight to behold.
Most European plums and Japanese plums are self-pollinating, but they do not cross-pollinate with each other. Plumcots and pluots, being hybrids, can be pollinated with Japanese plums. When selecting plum trees for your garden or landscape, it is important to consider their pollination requirements to ensure a successful harvest.
