Santa Rosa Plum
Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa'
Santa Rosa Plum (Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa') is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun. Needs a cross pollinizer.
medium water15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wideToxic to dogs
Photos
- Photo 1: "Japanese plum / Prunus salicina / 李(スモモ)" by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: "Starr 080405-3955 Prunus salicina" by Forest & Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "Starr 080302-3150 Prunus salicina" by Forest & Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Photo 4: "Prunus salicina Santa Rosa plum" by Puddin Tain is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 5: "Prunus salicina inflorescence (02)" by Puddin Tain is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "Prunus salicina 1" by Franz Xaver is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessCold rarely kills the tree; our late spring frosts kill the open flowers instead, so fruit set is hit or miss from year to year.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Borers (peachtree and lesser borer)
- Black knot (galls on twigs)
- Aphids and leaf curl
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Santa Rosa Plum good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Santa Rosa Plum is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Santa Rosa Plum get?
- It matures to about 15–20 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
- How much room does Santa Rosa Plum need?
- Give Santa Rosa Plum about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Santa Rosa Plum grow into?
- Santa Rosa Plum typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Santa Rosa Plum hardy on the Front Range?
- Santa Rosa Plum is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: Cold rarely kills the tree; our late spring frosts kill the open flowers instead, so fruit set is hit or miss from year to year.
- How much water does Santa Rosa Plum need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Santa Rosa Plum grow?
- Santa Rosa Plum is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Santa Rosa Plum live?
- Santa Rosa Plum is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Santa Rosa Plum safe for dogs?
- No. Santa Rosa Plum is considered toxic to dogs. Keep pets away and check with your vet.
- Is Santa Rosa Plum deer-resistant?
- No. Santa Rosa Plum is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Santa Rosa Plum prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Santa Rosa Plum can be affected by borers (peachtree and lesser borer) and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
