Shirley plum
Shirley plum needs about 500 chill hours (hours at or below 45°F), per Texas A&M AgriLife. About 62% of the Gulf South zip codes we cover typically get at least 500 hours, so check your zip before you buy.
Last updated
- Chill hours
- 500 hours at or below 45°F
- USDA zones
- 6-9 (general guide for plum)
- Pollination
- Most Japanese-type plums need a second plum (Methley, AU-Rubrum self-fruitful per LSU)
- LSU AgCenter recommends for
- Not in LSU Pub 1884 table
- Notes
- —
- Sources
- harris.agrilife.org
- Data status
- Chill number confirmed in source
Will it get enough chill at my place? →
Where to buy
We check nurseries every morning, and none of the ones we track list this variety right now. Check back in bare-root season.
From our orchard
Notes and photos from our Louisiana homestead orchard are coming soon.
Other plum varieties
| Variety | Chill hours | Zones | LSU recommends for | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methley | 250 | 6-9 | North Louisiana | verified |
| Gulf Beauty | 250 | 6-9 | verified | |
| Gulf Blaze | 250 | 6-9 | verified | |
| Gulf Rose | 275 | 6-9 | verified | |
| Inca | 250 | 6-9 | verified | |
| Segundo | 450 | 6-9 | verified | |
| St. Luke | 500–600 | 6-9 | verified | |
| Bruce | Not rated | 6-9 | North & south Louisiana | listed |
Quick answers
How many chill hours does Shirley plum need?
About 500 chill hours (hours at or below 45°F), according to Texas A&M AgriLife.
Does Shirley plum fruit in the Gulf South?
It can where winters reach about 500 chill hours. By our NOAA-based estimates, roughly 62% of the Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida panhandle and Texas Gulf coast zip codes we cover typically do.
Does Shirley plum need a pollinator?
Most Japanese-type plums need a second plum (Methley, AU-Rubrum self-fruitful per LSU).
What USDA zones suit Shirley plum?
Zones 6-9 as a general guide for plum.