Plums are among the most popular and productive fruit trees due to the volume of their crown. The fruits themselves provide a number of uses. At the same time, they can be a fruit tree that can bring some savings compared to other fruiting trees in the garden. Trees that would have the important characteristics of resilience and not be associated with difficult care and complicated growth have additional advantages in the current challenging times.

Hardy plums may also be known among gardeners as Russian plums. Their breeders were growers from the Ukraine and Russia, or other countries with more demanding growing conditions and more abundant production. In recent decades, they have been able to breed varieties capable not only of surviving the higher frosts in the so-called marginal areas suitable for plum cultivation, but also of possessing other characteristics of disease resistance.


Essential characteristics of resistant plums

The most important characteristics that bring the importance of resistant (Ukrainian or Russian) plums to the fore are, first of all:

  • Hardiness – some resistance can also be shown by the flowers in early spring.
  • Resistance – higher resistance to common diseases, especially scab
  • Biological cultivation without sprays – their characteristics make the trees suitable for biological cultivation
  • Yield - resistant plums can be characterised by a regular, abundant harvest
  • Fruit size - the efforts of breeders, the commercial interest of customers and, therefore, of growers are concentrated on varieties whose fruit is attractive in taste, size and utility. This is why we see fruit with good flavours, colour variations, consistency and volume.
  • The container-potted tree brings several advantages. It is easily portable, not tied to a specific planting time. You can practically plant such a tree at any time during the non-freezing months.
  • Partially self-pollinating - full fruiting can be achieved by planting two plum trees of hardy species or Russian type.

Hardy plums and possible available examples

Within the range of resistant plums, it is possible to reach for trees with all the characteristics of healthy young fruit trees, which in a container present fewer planting restrictions. Healthy roots in soil in portable pots, otherwise known as containers, can be planted at any time. They adapt easily to any soil. However, permeable, nutrient-rich soils are always suitable for fruit trees.

SVERCHRANNAJA – a new variety based on a cross between the myrobalan (Prunus cerasifera), the Japanese plum (Prunus salicina), the Ussurian plum (Prunus ussuriensis) and the Chinese plum (Prunus simonii) is characterised by its strong growth with a medium dense crown. Its fruit resembles an Althan plum in appearance, the stone not separating from the flesh. The aroma is distinctive and the taste of the ripe fruit is very sweet.

DONCHANKA RANNAJA – similar in appearance to Sverchrannaja, resistant to fungal diseases, has a crown with weaker growth. Its fruits are suitable for industrial processing because of their good resistance, e.g. during transport. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour, aromatic. The flesh is yellow to orange in colour, with a hint of red.

KOMETA – Kometa is a hardy plum with good properties also against fungal diseases. The moderately dense crown is characterised by poor growth. The round to oval fruits weighing around 50 to 60 grams are suitable for industrial processing because of their higher resistance. The yellow flesh takes on shades of red to purple as it ripens. The fruit is juicy and easier to separate from the stone.

GEK – hardy plum Gek resembles mirabelles in appearance, but the size and overall volume of the fruit is different. The medium-dense, medium-growing crown produces fruit weighing around 30-40 grams, round-oval in shape, yellow to orange in colour, with a delicate pink cheek. Juicy, aromatic fruit suitable for direct consumption and industrial processing.


For whom these fruit trees are the ideal choice

Gardeners, but also occasional growers who let the trees grow naturally without chemical sprays and more demanding care for reasons of time or large acreage, will appreciate its qualities. Especially growers interested in biological cultivation, i.e. without interfering with nature with chemical sprays, will appreciate it. In the vicinity of bee farms or in locations with a higher emphasis on the organic properties of the fruit from organic cultivation. Resistant plums will delight children, people interested in fresh fruit and plums for direct consumption, sale or processing.

They are a good choice for the grower who needs trees without the extra cost in chemistry, necessary security from frost. They bring both time and financial savings.