HybridContainer OK

Burgundy Plum

Prunus salicina 'Burgundy'

A stunning Japanese plum variety prized for its gorgeous deep red skin and sweet, juicy yellow flesh. Burgundy is self-fertile and incredibly productive, making it ideal for home gardeners who want reliable harvests without needing multiple trees. The fruits are perfect for fresh eating and have excellent storage quality.

Harvest

110-130d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Fruits are edible raw

☀️

Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

20-33 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Burgundy Plum in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Burgundy Plum · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 8-12 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained loamy soil with good fertility

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture during fruit development

SeasonDeciduous, blooms early spring, harvest summer

FlavorSweet and juicy with balanced acidity, rich plum flavor

ColorDeep burgundy red skin with yellow flesh

SizeLarge, 2.5-3 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Fruits are edible raw or cooked. Fruit can be candied or made into a liqueur, pies, preserves or dried. Soil: Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 33 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet, 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The fruit is a red to purple juicy drupe 1.5 to 3 in. in diameter with yellow-pink flesh. Harvested in the summer

Color: Gold/Yellow, Pink. Type: Drupe. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits are edible raw or cooked. Fruit can be candied or made into a liqueur, pies, preserves or dried

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Burgundy plums keep best when stored at room temperature for 2-3 days to complete ripening, then refrigerated in the crisper drawer for up to 2 weeks. Maintain 90% humidity by storing in perforated plastic bags, but avoid airtight containers that trap moisture and promote rot.

For long-term preservation, Burgundy plums excel at multiple methods. Freeze whole fruits after washing and removing pits – they maintain excellent texture for smoothies and baking. Can as whole fruits in light syrup or make preserves that showcase their sweet-tart balance. The high sugar content makes them ideal for traditional plum butter or leather. Dehydrate at 135°F for 18-24 hours for chewy dried plums that intensify the variety's rich flavor profile.

History & Origin

Origin: Russia, China, Vietnam, Taiwan

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
+Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
+Edible: Fruits are edible raw or cooked. Fruit can be candied or made into a liqueur, pies, preserves or dried

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and helps prevent fungal diseases around fruit trees

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves provide potassium-rich mulch

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters ants

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and various harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators

Lavender

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while repelling moths and rodents

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides living mulch to retain moisture

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and various flying insects that damage fruit

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and predatory insects that control pest populations

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to stone fruit trees and inhibits growth

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most nearby plants including fruit trees

Eucalyptus

Releases chemicals that suppress growth of other plants and competes for water

Nutrition Facts

Calories

46kcal(2%)

Protein

0.7g(1%)

Fiber

1.4g(5%)

Carbs

11.4g(4%)

Fat

0.28g(0%)

Vitamin C

9.5mg(11%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Vitamin K

6.4mcg(5%)

Iron

0.17mg(1%)

Calcium

6mg(0%)

Potassium

157mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169949)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to bacterial spot, moderate resistance to brown rot

Common Pests

Plum curculio, oriental fruit moth, aphids, scale insects

Diseases

Brown rot, black knot, bacterial spot, leaf curl

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Burgundy plum take to produce fruit?▼

Grafted Burgundy plum trees typically begin producing fruit 2-3 years after planting, with full production starting in year 4-5. The self-fertile nature means you'll get fruit even with a single tree, though proper pruning and thinning in early years helps establish strong scaffold branches for heavy future crops.

Can you grow Burgundy plum trees in containers?▼

Yes, Burgundy plums can grow successfully in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) with excellent drainage. Choose dwarf rootstock varieties, use quality potting mix, and plan for regular watering and fertilizing. Container trees need winter protection in zones 5-6 and benefit from annual root pruning to maintain size.

What does Burgundy plum taste like compared to other plums?▼

Burgundy plums offer a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity with rich, complex plum flavor more intense than many commercial varieties. The yellow flesh is exceptionally juicy without being watery, and the skin adds slight tartness that complements the sweet interior. They're notably less astringent than European plums when fully ripe.

When should I plant Burgundy plum trees?▼

Plant Burgundy plum trees in early spring, 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost when soil is workable but not waterlogged. Fall planting works in zones 7-8 but avoid it in colder regions where root establishment before winter freeze is insufficient. Bare-root trees should be planted immediately upon arrival.

How much space does a Burgundy plum tree need?▼

Standard Burgundy plum trees need 15-20 feet spacing from other trees and structures to accommodate their mature spread of 12-15 feet. Semi-dwarf varieties can be planted 10-12 feet apart, while dwarf rootstocks allow 6-8 feet spacing. Proper spacing ensures adequate air circulation and reduces disease pressure.

Is Burgundy plum good for beginner fruit growers?▼

Burgundy plum is moderately beginner-friendly due to its self-fertile nature and good disease resistance, but it does require consistent care. New growers should be prepared for annual pruning, fruit thinning, and basic pest management. The reliable production and excellent eating quality make the learning curve worthwhile for dedicated gardeners.