Early Italian Plum Tree
Prunus 'Early Italian'
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Early Italian Plum Tree - #3 Container 4-5 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Early Italian Plum Tree highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
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Harvest Time
Growing Zones 5-9
Delectable jewels, the Early Italian Plum Tree (Prunus 'Early Italian') features dark purple skin and fantastic self-fertile nature that saves you room! These oval glaucous fruits are super sweet and perfect for fresh eating and canning - but are especially well known for drying into delectable prunes! The freestone flesh is a yellowish-green when fresh and turns a gorgeous red wine hue when cooked.
Blooming with a flush of gorgeous fragrant white blossoms that will be fluttering with butterflies and bees. These are lovely ornamentals for anywhere in the yard and offer pinpoint shade. As natural dwarf trees, they can even be pruned and trained smaller in containers or even as Espalier! The Early Italian Plum tree can grow to a mature height of 8-12 feet and a mature width of 5-6 feet.
Early Italian is a good commercial quality variety that produces ten days to two weeks ahead of regular Italian Plums, ripening around late August to September in most climates. Ready to harvest before an early frost in colder growing zones. Prized for its smaller stature, and the fact it's self-pollinating, you won't sacrifice precious space in the landscape and smaller yards.
Planting and Application:
Also called the Early Italian Prune, the fruit is large and has a rich flavor. It is very sweet when fully ripe and is used as fresh, dried into the best prunes possible, cooked or canned. You'll have plenty to go around from this small tree but more is always the merrier! So plant with other fruit trees in a small home orchard or in rows with other fruits for a dual-purpose privacy and screening hedgerow!
Prune Plum Trees look great in large pots and planters, and Early Italian can be kept small enough for balcony and container gardeners so long as you have some sun! Great wildlife trees, you'll have plenty to share with hungry visitors. You'll love sharing these healthy treats!
- Oval Purple Fruit Handsome Foliage
- Commercial Quality Prune
- Large & Sweet Fruit
- Fragrant White Blossoms!
- Self-Pollinating & Freestone
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Plum Trees are easy-to-grow and fairly pest-free. Widely adaptable, plant in a well-enriched, well-drained location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Early Italian Plums are vigorous and are cold-hardy. Provide moderate yet consistent water and a thick mulch layer over the root zone surface.
- Full Sun
- Average Moisture & Well-Drained Soil
- Cold Hardy
- Prune When Dormant
- Moderate Fertility & Mulch
Early Italian Plum Tree is an incredible investment that won't take over your garden! Order your own small-space fruit trees and more, delivered to your door from NatureHills.com!
