Royal Star Magnolia vs Opata Cherry Plum
Magnolia stellata Royal Star
Prunus besseyi x salicina Opata
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
(we don't know if or when this product will be restocked)
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
(new stock expected: fall of 2026)
The Royal Star Magnolia, or Star Magnolia, is an early-blooming, white fragrant flower. It has a form that resembles a starburst, hence the name. This multi-stemmed deciduous shrub is extremely popular and has won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Royal Star Magnolia attracts birds and butterflies to your garden, with their large, showy flowers blooming even before it’s foliage which features a medium green leaf. They prefer slightly acidic soils.
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.