Plum - Santa Rosa

Common Name:
Santa Rosa Plum

Description:
The Santa Rosa plum (Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa') is one of the most popular and widely grown Japanese plum varieties, known for its large, round fruit with deep reddish-purple skin and sweet, tangy amber-red flesh. This early-to-mid-season variety has a rich, aromatic flavour, making it excellent for fresh eating, cooking, and preserves. The tree is a vigorous grower with an upright, spreading habit and produces fragrant white blossoms in early spring, attracting bees and other pollinators. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and benefits from regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruiting. While Santa Rosa is partially self-fertile, planting it alongside other Japanese plum varieties, such as Mariposa or Satsuma, can enhance fruit production.

Form:

• Tree - Small
• Tree - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: 3–5m (can be pruned smaller)
• Width: 3–4m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

Flowering:

• Flowers in Early Spring

Flower Colour:

• White

Key Attributes:

• Edible Fruit
• Partially Self-Pollinating (benefits from a pollinator)
• Suitable for Espalier
• Suitable for Pots (when grown as a dwarf variety)
• Bee Attracting
• Heavy Fruiting Variety
• Excellent for Fresh Eating and Preserves

Toxicity:

• Leaves, seeds, and pits contain cyanogenic compounds and should not be consumed

Companion Plants:

• Other Japanese plum varieties (Mariposa, Satsuma) for cross-pollination
• Peaches and nectarines (similar growing conditions)
• Lavender (attracts pollinators)
• Borage (improves fruit set)
• Marigolds (helps deter pests)