Au-Cherry Plum is a semi-dwarf deciduous tree with an attractive irregular spreading crown primarily grown for its reliable large crop of small summer fruits. The showy display of fragrant white spring flowers attract butterflies and give way to a heavy bearing of cherry-like fruits with dark red skin and flesh, a tiny clingstone pit. If harvested young the fruits have a refreshing tart but sour taste, and if allowed to mature has sweet flesh with astringent skin giving a wine like flavor. Grows best in full sun and rich, moist well-drained soils. Au Cherry is self pollinating and has excellent resistance to various diseases.
|
Type: |
|
|
Height: |
15’ - 20’ |
|
Spread: |
15’ - 20' |
|
Spacing: |
18’ |
|
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
5 - 8 |
|
Culture: |
|
|
Bloom Color: |
White |
|
Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: High Maintenance. Needs regular watering. Plums have a lot of pest and disease issues and may necessary. Potential issues include scales, borers, mites, aphids, leaf spots and rots. Fallen fruit can be messy if not harvested.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Wildlife Garden, Naturalized Areas, Ponds and Streams, Edible Gardens, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Strawberry, Peach, Apple
IMAGE: Photos from Growing Fruit; Auburn, coolmantoole, and TNHunter, AU Cherry Plum
