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Italian Prune Plum

Prunus domestica 'Italian Prune'

Also known as Fellenberg, this European plum variety is the gold standard for drying into prunes, but fresh fruits are equally delicious with their sweet, rich flavor and firm texture. The oval, purple-blue fruits have golden flesh that's perfect for fresh eating, baking, or preserving. This productive tree is self-fertile and cold-hardy, making it an excellent choice for home orchards seeking a reliable, multipurpose plum variety.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Wildlife Cover/Habitat

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

10-20 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Italian Prune Plum in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Italian Prune Plum · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 10-12 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained loam, tolerates various soil types

pH6.0-7.5

Water1 inch per week, drought tolerant once established

SeasonSpring planting, late summer harvest

FlavorSweet with mild tartness, rich and complex flavor

ColorDeep purple to blue-black skin, amber-yellow flesh

SizeSmall to medium, 1.5-2 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Wildlife Cover/Habitat, Wildlife Food Source, Wildlife Larval Host. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Grafting, Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The fleshy 2-3 inch drupe matures to blue or black and has 1 seed in it. Appears in September

Type: Drupe. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits are dried to make plums. They can also be eaten raw or cooked.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Italian Prune Plums keep at room temperature for 3-5 days to complete ripening, then refrigerate for up to two weeks. Store in the crisper drawer in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while preventing moisture buildup.

For drying, this variety excels due to its low moisture content and high sugar levels. Halve and pit the plums, then dehydrate at 135°F for 18-24 hours until leathery but pliable. Properly dried prunes store for months in airtight containers. Freeze whole plums by washing, removing pits, and packing in freezer bags with minimal air – they'll keep for up to a year. The firm flesh also makes excellent jams and preserves, requiring less pectin than softer varieties due to natural pectin content in the skins.

History & Origin

Italian Prune Plum, also known as Fellenberg, originated in Switzerland in the early 1800s and was named after Baron von Fellenberg who promoted its cultivation. Despite its common name, this variety has Germanic rather than Italian roots, earning its moniker from its popularity among Italian immigrants who brought it to America in the late 1800s.

The variety became the backbone of the American prune industry, particularly in California's Santa Clara Valley and Oregon's Willamette Valley. By the early 1900s, Italian Prune Plums dominated commercial production due to their exceptional drying qualities and reliable harvests. European settlers prized this plum for its dual-purpose nature – providing fresh fruit for the table and dried prunes for winter storage. The variety's hardiness and productivity made it a staple in homesteads across the northern United States, where it remains one of the most planted European plum varieties in home orchards today.

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 dried to make plums. They can also be eaten raw or cooked.

Considerations

-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and aphids, attracts pollinating insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Lavender

Repels moths and other pests, attracts pollinators

Tansy

Deters ants, mice, and flying insects that damage fruit

Garlic

Repels aphids, borers, and other insect pests

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and predatory insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to stone fruit trees

Cherry Trees

Share similar pests and diseases, increasing infestation risk

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants

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 most diseases, hardy variety

Common Pests

Plum curculio, aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles

Diseases

Brown rot, black knot, leaf spot, silver leaf

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Italian Prune Plum take to produce fruit?▼

Italian Prune Plum trees typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting grafted trees. Full production usually occurs by year 5-6. Dwarf rootstocks may fruit a year earlier, while standard trees on seedling rootstock can take up to 6 years for first harvest.

Can you grow Italian Prune Plum in containers?▼

Yes, Italian Prune Plums can be grown in large containers (minimum 20-gallon) using dwarf rootstock. Choose pots with drainage holes and use well-draining potting mix. Container trees require more frequent watering and feeding, and may need winter protection in zones 4-6.

What does Italian Prune Plum taste like?▼

Italian Prune Plums have a sweet, rich flavor with mild tartness and complex undertones. The golden flesh is firm and meaty with less juice than other plums. When fully ripe, they develop honey-like sweetness that intensifies during drying, making them ideal for both fresh eating and prune production.

When should I plant Italian Prune Plum trees?▼

Plant Italian Prune Plum trees in early spring after the last frost or in fall 6-8 weeks before hard freeze. Spring planting is preferred in zones 4-5 for better establishment. Fall planting works well in zones 6-8, allowing roots to establish before spring growth begins.

Do Italian Prune Plums need a pollinator tree?▼

No, Italian Prune Plums are self-fertile and don't require a pollinator tree. However, planting with other European plum varieties like Stanley, Green Gage, or Valor can increase fruit set by 20-30% and extend the harvest season with different ripening times.

How do you prevent plum curculio on Italian Prune Plums?▼

Prevent plum curculio by applying kaolin clay spray when petals fall and reapplying after rain. Remove fallen fruit immediately to break the pest's life cycle. Beneficial nematodes applied to soil in late spring target overwintering larvae. Some growers use pheromone traps for monitoring adult activity.