PATTERSON'S PRIDE american hybrid plum SEMI-DWARF (MUSTANG)

🍑 Patterson's Pride Plum Tree

🌸 Origin and type

• Species: Hybrid between Prunus nigra (Canadian plum tree) and Prunus salicina (Japanese plum tree)
• Origin: University of Saskatchewan, Canada
• Breeder: Dr. C.F. Patterson
• Year introduced: 1960
• Type: Hardy hybrid plum tree with weeping habit

🌳 Tree characteristics

• Habit: Semi-dwarf, slightly weeping
• Mature height: Approximately 2.4 m (8 feet)
• Hardiness: USDA Zone 2b (very well suited to cold winters)
• Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral
• Growth: Fast, bears fruit after 3 to 4 years

🍑 Fruit

• Shape: Round to slightly oval
• Size: Medium (4.5 cm diameter)
• Skin: Dark red, smooth
• Flesh: Golden yellow, firm, juicy
• Flavor: Sweet, fragrant, slightly tart
• Stone: Semi-adherent
• Harvest: Mid-September (later than other plum trees)
• Use: Fresh, jams, preserves, pastries
• Storage: 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator

🌼 Flowering and pollination

• Flowering: Mid-April to early May
• Pollination: Self-infertile
• Compatible pollinators:
  • Canadian plum tree (Prunus nigra)
  • American plum tree (Prunus americana)
  • Hybrid plum tree (Prunus × domestica), such as Pembina
• Planting distance: 3 to 4 m (12 to 15 feet) between trees
  

🛠️ Cultivation and care

• Planting: Fall or early spring
• Watering: Regular, especially in the first few years
• Pruning: Winter pruning to aerate the branches and promote light
• Thinning: Recommended if the tree bears a lot of fruit
• Diseases: Good resistance to common diseases

🍽️ Uses

• Fresh fruit for eating
• Jams, compotes, pastries
• Less suitable for drying or freezing

💡 Advantages

✅ Very hardy, suitable for cold areas
✅ Compact growth habit, ideal for small gardens
✅ Late harvest, extending the plum season
✅ Excellent taste

⚠️ Points to watch out for

• Flowering sensitive to late spring frosts
• The fruit is fragile and requires careful harvesting
• Choose a sheltered location to avoid wind damage