Canada Plum & American Plum vs Pembina Plum - TreeTime.ca

Canada Plum & American Plum vs Pembina Plum

Prunus nigra and americana

Prunus nigra x salicina Pembina

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Canada Plum & American Plum
Pembina Plum

Canada and American Plum are almost identical in appearance and growth needs. These plants are short and stout fruit trees native to North America.

This hardy ornamental is excellent for both city dwellings as well as rural areas. During the spring, the white and pink blossoms are long lasting. The tasty fruit is suitable for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. These trees are not widely distributed and pure seed can be hard to come by.

Both are commonly used as rootstock and are considered universal pollinizers for other plum varieties.

Pembina Plum is one of the best-tasting plums that can be planted on the prairies. It is semi-freestone with orange flesh that is soft, juicy, and sweet which contrasts with the thick, sour, dark red skin. The plums can grow up to 5 cm in diameter and are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

They typically ripen in mid to late August and should be picked as soon as they are ripe. If left too long, the fruit will fall off the tree.

Pembina Plum is a hybrid between Canada Plum and Japanese Plum. For fruit production, it needs to be planted with another variety for cross-pollination. Canada Plum and American Plum are considered universal pollinizers.

Canada Plum & American Plum Quick Facts

Pembina Plum Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 2b
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: attractive yellow, gold
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Bark: grey and scaly with age
Flowers: white
Flowers: white
Fruit: under 1 inch round yellow fruits with red blush to completely red, tart skin with sweet flesh
Fruit: purple-red skin with yellow flesh
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: yes
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC, NB
Other Names: american plum, black plum, canada plum, horse plum, wild plum