Superior Asian Plum is a cold-hardy hybrid that has proven itself since 1933, when it emerged from Minnesota breeding work combining American and Asian plum genetics. This tree produces remarkably large fruit with vibrant red skin and golden-yellow flesh that converts even plum skeptics into devoted fans. Hardy from zones 3 to 9, it reaches a mature height of 14 feet and blooms late in the season (August through September), making it resilient against spring frosts. The flesh clings to the pit in the traditional way, and the flavor delivers genuine deliciousness alongside toughness.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
168in H x ?in W
—
High
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This variety has earned its name honestly over nine decades. The very large, heart-shaped fruits arrive early in the tree's life and come in heavy crops, while the meaty yellow flesh beneath that true red skin tastes genuinely superior to what most gardeners expect from a plum. Its extreme cold hardiness and Minnesota heritage mean it thrives where many Asian plums simply cannot survive, making it a rare intersection of rugged reliability and genuine flavor.
Superior Asian Plum is grown primarily for fresh eating, where the large, meaty flesh and genuine flavor shine brightest. The clingstone characteristic makes it pleasant to eat fresh, though it can also be preserved, canned, or used in cooking applications where the firm flesh holds up well.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bare-root trees in early spring before bud break, or in fall after leaf drop. Choose a location with full sun exposure and ensure you have a compatible late-blooming pollinator variety nearby for fruit set.
Harvest Superior Asian Plums when they reach full size and the skin develops its characteristic deep red color. The fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure but still feel firm; this indicates peak ripeness and optimal flavor. Pick fruit that detaches easily from the branch with a slight twist, which signals maturity.
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“Superior Asian Plum emerged from Minnesota breeding efforts and has been proving itself since 1933, when it first demonstrated that you could breed an Asian plum with the cold tolerance of American varieties and not sacrifice flavor in the bargain. The cross between Prunus americana and Prunus salicina created something that gardeners from Michigan to Virginia have embraced for its combination of toughness and taste, a lineage that speaks to early 20th-century horticultural ambition to expand plum cultivation into colder regions.”