Overview & Description

The Compass Cherry-Plum (Prunus besseyi x salicina ‘Compass’) is a hardy, compact hybrid developed for cold climates, prized for its unique tangy-sweet fruit bridging cherry and plum flavors. This small ornamental tree produces abundant crops of small to medium-sized dark red fruit with yellow flesh. The flavor is distinctly tangy and sprightly, making it exceptional for fresh eating, jams, and sauces. Spring brings white blossoms followed by lush green summer foliage.

Growth & Size

This variety exhibits a compact, upright, and non-suckering growth habit. It forms a small, manageable tree, typically reaching a mature size of about 2 to 2.5 meters (6.5 to 8 feet) in both height and spread.

Additional Notes

It blooms profusely in mid-spring, with fruit ripening in mid to late August. Thriving in Zone 3, it is remarkably cold-tolerant and disease-resistant. Its manageable size and tidy habit make it an ideal, low-maintenance choice for small urban gardens, edible landscapes, or as a specimen planting where few other stone fruits can succeed, delivering a uniquely flavorful harvest in northern regions.