Phantom Hydrangea vs Opata Cherry Plum - TreeTime.ca

Phantom Hydrangea vs Opata Cherry Plum

Hydrangea paniculata Phantom

Prunus besseyi x salicina Opata

ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Phantom Hydrangea
Opata Cherry Plum

Phantom Hydrangea is a striking deciduous shrub with impressive blooms. It is multi-stemmed and produces pale green flowers that fade to white and soft pink as they mature. These flower clusters can reach up to 15” (40cm) long and while other shrubs will droop from the flowers' weight, Phantom Hydrangea has sturdy stems that support them.

This adaptable shrub will make a beautiful addition to your yard as a flowering hedge or as an ornamental plant on its own. Try pruning the flowers after they are spent to get even larger flower heads.

Opata Cherry Plum is considered to be one of the best tasting Cherry Plum varieties. It has a pleasant, sweet flavour and a hint of acidity. They ripen in mid to late August and are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

The fruit is closer to a plum than a cherry but is smaller than most plums.The Opata Cherry Plum’s skin is red/green whereas the flesh is yellow-green. The flesh is freestone with a juicy, firm texture. Similar to other stone fruits, it does not store for very long.

The Opata Cherry Plum is a hybrid between a Western Sand Cherry and a Japanese (Chinese) Plum. For fruit production, it needs to be planted with another variety for cross-pollination. Canada Plum and American Plum are considered universal pollinizers.

Phantom Hydrangea Quick Facts

Opata Cherry Plum Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fruit size: 3 cm in diameter
Flavor: pleasant and sweet, hint of acidity
Harvest: mid to late August
Flowers: large white flower clusters
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium




Other Names: opata chum, opata plum cherry