Toka Asian Plum is a cold-hardy hybrid that has earned its nickname 'Candy Plum' honestly. Bred by Hansen in South Dakota in 1911, this cross between American and Asian plums produces small-to-medium red fruits with yellow flesh that ripen in August, delivering a flavor so intensely sweet and spicy it rivals actual candy. The vigorous, self-fertile tree thrives in hardiness zones 3-9, reaching 14 feet tall, and rewards northern gardeners with white spring blossoms, abundant summer fruit, and striking red fall foliage. More than a century after its creation, it remains the go-to choice for growers in cold climates who refuse to sacrifice flavor.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-9
168in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Few plums combine the cold hardiness of zone 3 winters with the exotic sweetness that makes gardeners close their eyes with their first bite. Toka's spicy, bubblegum-like flavor sets it apart from both its American and Asian plum parents, and the tree's self-fertility means you don't need a pollinator nearby. The vigorous, upright growth habit ensures consistent heavy crops year after year, while the striking seasonal display of white spring blossoms, ruby fruit in summer, and deep red leaves in autumn makes this a tree that earns its space even when not in fruit.
Toka plums are eaten fresh, where their intense candy-like sweetness and spicy undertones make them remarkable straight from the tree. The substantial fruit production and hardy nature make them suitable for home orchards where fresh eating and preservation (jam, preserves) are both viable. Their resilience in cold climates and maritime conditions means they're valued as much for their reliable productivity as for their flavor.
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Plant bare-root trees in early spring as dormant buds begin to swell, or in fall after leaf drop. Space trees 15-18 feet apart to allow for mature canopy growth. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the root system without crowding, and backfill with native soil mixed with compost. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around roots.
Pick Toka plums in August when the fruit is fully red and yields slightly to gentle pressure. The plums should detach cleanly from the tree with a slight twist; fruit that resists picking is not yet ripe. For maximum sweetness and the characteristic spicy-candy flavor, allow fruit to fully ripen on the tree rather than harvesting early. Toka produces abundantly, so expect substantial harvests once the tree reaches productive maturity.
Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to remove crossing branches, dead wood, and any growth that crowds the center of the canopy. Toka's vigorous, upright habit benefits from occasional thinning cuts to maintain an open vase or modified central leader shape, which improves light penetration and airflow. Avoid heavy pruning, which can stimulate excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit.
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“Toka Asian Plum emerged from deliberate breeding work by Hansen in South Dakota during 1911, a period when cold-hardy fruit development was reshaping what northern gardeners could grow. By crossing an American plum with an Asian plum, Hansen created a hybrid that captured the cold tolerance of its American parent while inheriting the superior flavor of Asian plums. The result was so successful that Toka has remained a standard bearer in northern orchards for over a century, passed from one generation of growers to the next as both a practical solution and a genuinely delicious fruit. Its survival and continued popularity among heritage orchardists speaks to the durability of Hansen's work.”