Chums (Cherry-Plums)

Chums are exceptionally cold hardy fruiting shrubs developed by crossing the Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) with the hardy western sand cherry (Prunus besseyi). The result is a unique hybrid shrub that combines the larger, juicy fruit of Japanese plums with the incredible cold hardiness and resilience of the western sand cherry, a species native to the Canadian prairies.

These productive shrubs are covered in fragrant white blossoms each spring, followed by abundant crops of colourful fruit in late summer. Depending on the variety, the fruit ranges from sweet and juicy for fresh eating to richly flavoured and perfect for preserves, baking, juice, and wine. Chum fruit are larger than sweet cherries, at 2.5-4cm in diameter.

Chums requires cross pollination with another variety of chum (such as Sapa, Opata, Manor, Dura, Compass, Convoy, or New Oka) or a Canada plum (Prunus nigra) for reliable fruit production. 

Varieties:

SAPA

Description: Rich, intense, complex flavour and deep red-purple flesh make it excellent for preserves, including wine. Higher acidity and concentrated flavour mean fruit hold up exceptionally well in pies, fruit leather, baking, and preserves. Reliable producer of heavy crops. 
Full-grown size: 8-10' tall x 6-8' wide (upright, spreading)
Harvest Timing: Late August - early September

OPATA

Description: One of the largest-fruited cherry-plum hybrids and widely regarded as having the best fresh-eating quality of the early chums. Green-yellow flesh with red-overlaid skin. Sweet, juicy fruit with mild acidity. Heavy, reliable crops.
Full-grown size: 8-10' tall x 6-8' wide (rounded, spreading)
Harvest Timing: Mid- to late August

DURA

Description: Very heavy crops of red-fleshed sweet, juicy fruit with mild acidity. Fruit often hangs on the branches well after ripening, allowing an extended harvest period. Outstanding for canning and all-purpose processing. Vigorous grower.
Full-grown size: 8-10' tall x 4-5' wide (upright, compact)
Harvest Timing: Ripen late August to early September, with fruit hanging into October.

MANOR

Description: Excellent balance of sweetness, productivity and reliability. Good for fresh eating and processing. Dark purple to nearly black fruit with red flesh. Extremely productive and bears at a young age. Most compact variety - makes for easy harvesting. Great for smaller spaces.
Full-grown size: 5-6' tall x 4-6' wide (low, spreading, most compact)
Harvest Timing: Late August

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Common names: Chum, Cherry Plum, Cherry-Plum, Cherry-Plum hybrid, Sand cherry × Japanese plum hybrid

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: See individual variety descriptions

Scientific name: Prunus besseyi × Prunus salicina
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 5-10' tall (see individual variety descriptions)
Hardiness: Zone 2
Pollination: Cross pollination required. Plant with a different variety of compatible chum (such as Sapa, Opata, Manor, Dura, Compass, Convoy, or New Oka) or a Canada plum (Prunus nigra).
Wildlife: Spring flowers attract pollinators and fruit attract wildlife.
Origin: Sapa and Opata: Bred at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1908. Dura and Manor: Bred at the Morden Research and Development Centre in Manitoba, Canada and released in 1942 and 1945, respectively.
Noteworthy: Extremely cold hardy. Heavy producers.