Dwarf Plum Prunus domestica 'Stanley'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus doh-MESS-tik-a
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
'Stanley' European Plum is a prune-type plum tree or shrub in the rose family, a cultivar of Prunus domestica with an upright or vase form. It has showy white flowers in Spring and edible fruit with purple skin and sweet yellow flesh. It can be slightly thorny. It is less hardy than some cultivars like 'Mount Royal'.
For best results locate the 'Stanley' European plum in a sheltered site with full sun, medium moist, organic soil with good drainage. Flowers can be susceptible to early spring frost damage. Avoid any periodic chemical spraying in the vicinity of the tree.
'Stanley' European Plum produces prune-plums that have a long shelf life, firm flesh and a high sugar content. The high sugar content makes the fruit suitable for canning or drying or to be sun-dried into prunes. These trees should begin to bear fruit in 3 to 4 years.
The 'Stanley' cultivar is typically grafted onto one of several different rootstocks. The mature size of the tree depends on the chosen rootstock: standard, semi-dwarf, or dwarf. The standard size is 18 to 20 feet high and wide. The semi-dwarf size is 12 to 15 feet high and wide. The dwarf size is 8 to 10 feet high and wide. The rootstock can also determine the tree's vigor.
The 'Stanley' plum is self-fruitful, but planting two different cultivars as a group is recommended for best fruit. Pairing 'Stanley' with 'Bluefre', 'Verity', 'Empress', or 'President' is common.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Prone to split-pit and susceptible to black knot. Aphids can be a common problem to all plum trees.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- domestica
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Good for fresh eating, preserves, drying, and canning.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Edibility:
- The medium sized fruit has a blue skin and pale yellow flesh. The fruit is sweet and juicy. The high sugar content makes it a great choice for canning and drying. Ripens in early September.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 18 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 18 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The medium sized fruit has a blue skin and pale yellow flesh.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The white blossoms are a good ornamental feature.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green elliptic leaves have fine teeth on the margin.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Cluster of terminal buds
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Encircles a bud
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
