In my experience growing Shiro on the north edge of Guelph, it is a vigorous, cold hardy tree. Its flowers are beautiful in the spring, and it produces slightly oval golden plums that are excellent for fresh eating or processing. As evidence of both vigour and beauty, the video on this page is of my Shiro plum in its third spring since I being planted as a young tree. Shiro is one of famed plant breeder Luther Burbank’s most famous trees, for good reason. The fruits are juicy, sweet, and clingstone, and the tree generally produces high yields. Note: Asian plums generally flower earlier than European plums, so depending on their location, in some years the flowers may get damaged by late frosts. In 2024 my Shiro plum was in full flower on May 2, and although earlier than my European plums, my peaches and pears were also flowering by this time. If flowering too early is a concern for you in your location, I recommend siting the tree on a north slope if possible, which slows a tree’s awakening in the spring. Pollination: Said to be partially self-fertile, but will set much more fruit with another Asian plum – for example, the Toka or Burbank I also have available – or with a native plum, either the Canada plum (Prunus nigra) or American plum (Prunus americana). Parentage: A seedling of Wickson, an Asian plum that is a hybrid of Prunus salicina and Prunus simonii. First released to the public in 1899. References: Foundation Plant Services: Shiro. University of Connecticut: Plums. Jams, Pastries are Great Ways to Use Shiro Plums. Image 1: Orderings Garden Centres. Image 2: Healing Magic Hands. Video: Matt Soltys.
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