Canada Plum vs Golden Spice Pear - TreeTime.ca

Canada Plum vs Golden Spice Pear

Prunus nigra

Pyrus Golden Spice

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Canada Plum
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Canada Plum is a cold-hardy wild plum native to North America with small red fruit. They ripen in mid to late summer, with bitter, astringent skin surrounding sweet, slightly acidic flesh that clings to the stone. While some enjoy eating the plums fresh, they are more commonly used for baking and preserves. It is considered a universal pollinizer for other plum varieties and is often used for grafting or as a rootstock.

White to pink flowers appear in spring, often before the leaves, providing an early source of nectar and pollen for native bees and other pollinators. Birds and other wildlife also feed on the fruit, adding to its ecological value. Canada Plum can grow as a small tree or large, multi-stemmed shrub. It is well suited to a variety of projects, including fruit orchards for cross-pollination, as well as pollinator plantings, naturalization, and restoration projects.

Golden Spice Pear produces delicious fruit and has other features that make it a striking accent tree. It is one of the few pears that successfully grows on the Canadian prairies. In late August, small, yellow pears with a slight red overlay will ripen and be ready for a variety of needs, including: fresh eating, canning, jams, and baking. They are slightly sweet with a crisp texture. Come fall, the green foliage transitions to orange, red, or burgundy, adding a burst of color to your yard.

Golden Spice Pear requires upkeep to ensure its survival and longevity. Regular pruning is recommended in late winter or early spring to maintain the oval shape and overall health of the tree. An additional pear or apple tree is required within 150 m (500’) for cross pollination and fruit production to occur.

Canada Plum Quick Facts

Golden Spice Pear Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Fall colour: attractive yellow, gold
Fall colour: burgundy
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: fade from blush to golden
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet, crisp
Harvest: late august early september
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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