Elephant Heart is an Asian plum that defies expectations with its sheer size and jewel-like appearance. These substantial fruits grow to 7-8 centimeters across, their oblong shape tapering to a gentle point that inspired their evocative name. The velvety skin transitions from mottled yellow to a deep purple-red as it ripens, while the firm, crisp flesh inside glows ruby red to golden, delivering an intensely sweet flavor with floral notes and hints of vanilla and berries. Hardy in zones 5-10 and thriving in full sun, this Luther Burbank creation rewards gardeners with an unforgettable harvest.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-10
?in H x ?in W
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High
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The sheer size of Elephant Heart plums sets them apart from typical stone fruits, with specimens routinely reaching 7-8 centimeters across. Their distinctive heart-like silhouette, warm velvety skin, and the complexity of their flavor profile, tart, intensely sweet, floral, with whispers of vanilla and berries, make them as striking on the plate as they are on the tree. The crisp, juicy flesh with its variable ruby-to-golden coloring creates a sensory experience that lingers well after the harvest season ends.
As a fresh eating plum, Elephant Heart excels when eaten out of hand at peak ripeness, where its crisp texture and complex flavor profile shine. The firm flesh and juicy character also suit it to slicing for fresh fruit platters, where the striking internal color and size make an impressive presentation. Home gardeners particularly value it for immediate harvest enjoyment rather than extended storage.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest when the skin deepens to a rich purple-red and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure. The semi-attached pit will release the fruit cleanly when it's ready, making harvest almost effortless. Pick in late summer through early fall, when bloom time extends from June through September. The firm flesh allows for careful handling without bruising, making these plums excellent for hand-picking directly into harvest containers.
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“Luther Burbank, the legendary California plant breeder, developed Elephant Heart as part of his revolutionary work with stone fruits in the early 20th century. Burbank's approach to plum breeding focused on creating varieties that would thrive in diverse climates while delivering exceptional flavor and appearance. Elephant Heart emerged from this legacy of careful selection and hybridization, becoming one of his most distinctive contributions to home gardening and small-scale orcharding.”