All Seasons Plant Finder

Group/Class:  Gulf series

Description:

The Gulf series was developed to adapt to mild, low chill winters, for southern production; deep red skinned fruit with firm yellow flesh; an upright spreading tree that is quite compact and ornamental; needs full sun and well-drained soil

Edible Qualities

Gulf Beauty Plum is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces dark red round fruit (technically 'drupes') with hints of gold and yellow flesh which are usually ready for picking from mid to late spring. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sweet taste and a firm texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Preserves
• Drying

Features & Attributes

Gulf Beauty Plum is smothered in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers along the branches in late winter before the leaves. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy dark red drupes with hints of gold, which are carried in abundance from mid to late spring.

This is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Gulf Beauty Plum is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Gulf Beauty Plum will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.