Kuban Comet is a cold-hardy Asian plum cultivar from Krymsk, Russia, that combines exceptional sweetness with surprising hardiness across zones 4 through 9. This dwarf tree reaches about 10 feet tall and produces distinctive teardrop-shaped fruits with bright yellow flesh that ripens to yellow-orange, blushing red when fully mature in late July. The clingstone plums are intensely sweet with a tart skin that resists cracking, making them both beautiful on the tree and practical for harvest and storage. Self-fertile and extremely productive, Kuban Comet thrives in cold climates where many other plum varieties struggle.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
120in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The real draw here is the combination of extreme cold hardiness and exceptional productivity in a compact, dwarf tree. Fruit ripens in late July with a striking yellow-to-red color shift, and the flesh underneath is remarkably sweet, balanced by skin tartness that prevents the fruit from cracking. The long, wide branches bend so heavily with fruit that they often need support before harvest, a testament to just how generous this variety is.
As a clingstone plum with dense, sweet yellow flesh, Kuban Comet is excellent fresh off the tree, where its balance of intense sweetness and tart skin creates a complex, satisfying bite. The firm flesh and crack-resistant skin make it well-suited to canning and preserving, since the fruit holds its shape during cooking. Home gardeners in cold climates particularly value it for fresh eating, as it ripens fully and reliably even in regions where other plum varieties fall short.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest Kuban Comet plums in late July when the skin has shifted from yellow-orange to a deep red blush and the flesh yields slightly to gentle pressure. The clingstone fruit will detach cleanly from the branch when fully ripe. Pick the fruit in the early morning for the best flavor and texture, and handle gently to preserve the skin's natural resistance to cracking. Plan to harvest over several days as fruit ripens progressively rather than all at once.
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“Kuban Comet was developed in Krymsk, a region in southern Russia with a long tradition of fruit breeding. This cultivar represents the culmination of Russian horticultural expertise in creating plums that can survive harsh continental climates while still delivering exceptional flavor and productivity. The variety emerged from work done at the Krymsk breeding station, where scientists focused on crossing hardy rootstocks with superior fruit quality to create plums that wouldn't just survive freezing winters but actively thrive in them.”