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Shiro plum tree

Prunus x salicina 'Shiro'

  • Picking season: Early
  • Gardening skill: Average
  • Self-fertility: Partially self-fertile
  • Pollination group: 1

Shiro is a bright yellow Japanese-style plum, which ripens early / mid-season. The stone comes away fairly easily from the juicy yellow flesh.

Shiro japanese plums for sale

You can pre-order now for spring 2025

  • Full-size 1-year bare-root tree $38.95
    Mature height: 16ft-24ft after 10 years
    Myrobalan rootstock

How to grow

Shiro is productive in most climates, including the low-chill climates of California where it was developed. It is partially self-fertile, and a good pollenizer of many other Japanese plum varieties.

Although a regular bearer, Shiro has a tendency to over-crop, which will lead to smaller fruits. To avoid this be sure to thin out the fruitlets after the blossom has set - the remaining fruits will be larger and have a better flavor.

Advice on fruit tree pollination.

History

Shiro was developed by the famous Californian fruit breeder Luther Burbank in the late 19th century. He was one of the first to import Japanese plum seedlings and hybridize them with other plum species, including native North American species. Shiro was introduced in 1899, and remains a popular variety today, as well as being used in the development of many other Japanese-style plums.

Shiro characteristics

  • Gardening skillAverage
  • Self-fertilityPartially self-fertile
  • Pollination group1
  • Pollinating othersGood
  • Picking seasonEarly
  • UsesEating freshCulinaryDual purpose
  • Keeping (of fruit)2-3 weeks
  • General resistanceAverage
  • Cold hardiness (USDA)Zone 5 (-29C)
  • Summer maximum temperaturesWarm (25-30C / 76-85F)
  • Chill requirementLow-chill - 500 hours
  • Country of originUnited States
  • Period of origin1850 - 1899
  • Flesh colourGolden / Yellow
  • Fruit colorYellow