Early Golden Asian Plum is a vigorous, upright variety that earned its name honestly, ripening a heavy crop of medium-sized, round yellow plums with a delicate red blush in July, two weeks ahead of popular varieties like Shiro. Discovered as a chance seedling in Fonthill, Canada, this cultivar remains one of the hardiest Asian plums available, thriving in zones 5 through 9. Growing to a mature height of 12 feet, it produces meaty, freestone golden flesh that rewards early-season gardeners seeking something dependable and prolific.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
144in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The fruit arrives early in the season with such abundance that thinning becomes not a chore but a necessity. Round yellow plums blushed with red deliver the satisfying texture of freestone flesh, releasing easily from the pit. This Canadian discovery has earned its place as a workhorse in cold-climate gardens, flowering and fruiting reliably where many Asian plums struggle.
These medium-sized plums are primarily enjoyed fresh, their freestone character and golden flesh making them effortless to eat out of hand. The heavy production typical of this variety lends itself well to small-scale preserving and canning when the fruit arrives in abundance.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest in July when the yellow skin develops a delicate red blush and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. The freestone characteristic means ripe fruit releases cleanly from the pit with minimal handling. Pick plums when fully colored but still firm for best storage potential, or wait for a softer texture if eating immediately.
This variety grows as a vigorous, upright tree with an open habit, naturally developing good light penetration through the canopy. Prune to maintain structure and remove crossing or damaged branches, but the open growth pattern requires less aggressive heading than denser varieties.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Early Golden Asian Plum emerged as a chance seedling in Fonthill, Canada, appearing spontaneously in conditions that shaped its exceptional cold hardiness. Rather than disappearing into obscurity as many seedlings do, this variety caught the attention of nursery professionals who recognized its vigor and reliability. It has since become established as one of the most winter-hardy Asian plums in cultivation, a testament to the value of preserving and propagating chance discoveries that prove themselves in the garden.”