Peaches and plums are both stone fruits, or drupes, from the genus Prunus. They have some very similar characteristics, which makes them a good option to associate in a house garden. Finding self-pollinating cultivars of both the peach and plum leads to success and harmony in your own garden.
Peach Trees
Peaches grow best within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. They prefer soil that’s slightly acidic to neutral and require full sunlight. Almost all peach trees are self-pollinating, so you need just 1 tree to produce fruit. There is only one basic kind of peach (Prunus persica), with a variety of cultivars. The nectarine (Prunus persiza var. Nucipersica) is merely a number of peach bred with no signature blurred skin.
Plum Trees
Like peaches, plums are also successfully grown in USDA zones 5 through 8. They do not like alkaline soils, preferring slight acidity, and revel in full sunlight. The two primary types of plums are Japanese (Prunus selicina) and European (Prunus domestica), although the principal distinction between the two comes in size. European trees are taller and more erect, while Japanese trees are broader and denser and tend to be slightly smaller in height. European fruits tend to be firmer than their bigger Japanese counterparts. The vast majority of plums aren’t self-pollinating, meaning that they need a second plum tree of a differing cultivar so as to make fruit. There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as the self-pollinating European “Damson” and “Stanley,” and the Japanese “Methley” and “Santa Rosa.”
A Great Couple
Since both types of fruits require similar soils and surroundings, they are easily able to be planted near each other at the same yard. Plum trees are usually a bit narrower than peaches, therefore be confident that they are implanted where the peach’s entry to sunlight won’t be hindered as the trees grow. Plant full-sized varieties at least 20 to 25 feet apart to leave room for spreading. Both trees blossom in the spring. Peaches could be harvested over the summer and plums from late summer into autumn.
Pests and Disease
The main concern when planting trees of a comparable number close one another is that their susceptibility to insects and diseases is very similar. The most common pests are borers and aphids, each of which will transfer from 1 tree to another. Diseases common to both include brown rot, powdery mildew and mosaic viruses. If one tree becomes victim to any of these problems, you need to recognize it and repair it before it spreads to the two of your fruit trees. Search for wilt, holes in the bark, leaf drop or leaf browning for the first signs of infestation.