Prunus domestica Hanna - Plum

The Dwarf Plum or Prunus domestica 'Hanna' is a variety of Plum that can be planted in any garden, in a container, on a terrace, or a balcony. It forms a miniature tree that is only 1.5m (5ft) tall and less than 1m (3ft) wide. Self-fertile, it blooms in May with white flowers that attract bees. These flowers develop into oval prunes, with a beautiful blue colour, ripe in September and October. The flesh is yellow to orange, juicy, sweet, and can be eaten fresh, in tarts, or made into jam. This Plum tree is very hardy and should be grown in full sun with well-drained soil.

Plum trees belong to the vast family of Rosaceae, which includes most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Apple, Pear, Apricot, Peach, Cherry, Quince...) as well as small fruits (Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries). The Prunus genus itself is extremely diverse, with over 300 species, including both fruiting trees (Almond, Peach...) and ornamental trees and shrubs. Prunus domestica is a small, hardy tree that can grow up to 1000m (3281ft) in altitude. It is believed to be originally from Asia Minor (Syria) and was introduced to Rome along with many other species during the Roman conquests. According to some authors, its introduction to Europe is more likely to be related to the Crusades, who really knows?
'Hanna' is a particularly interesting variety for small gardens due to its considerably smaller size compared to the botanical species. This variety is self-fertile and does not require pollination from another Plum tree. In May, it produces clusters of simple white flowers, a few centimetres in diameter, with 5 petals, which are melliferous. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into drupes, which are fleshy fruits with a stone, known as plums. These plums are oval-shaped and have a beautiful dark blue colour. They ripen in September and can be harvested until October. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and pleasantly refreshing. These fruits can be eaten fresh or used in tarts and jams. Plums are refreshing fruits, relatively low in calories, and rich in vitamin E.
Hardy down to at least -20°C (-4°F), this tree is easy to grow, resistant to diseases, and not very demanding once well established. If you choose to grow this Plum tree in a container, make sure to water it regularly to avoid root drying, and prefer plastic containers with "double skin" (with an insulating layer of air) or thick terracotta containers.

The Dwarf Plum 'Hanna' will allow you to enjoy fruit without taking up space in your garden or even on your balcony. Nowadays, there is a wide range of dwarf fruit trees that can be grown this way. If you like Apple trees, you will love 'Croquella', a self-fertile variety of crunchy and fragrant red apples, with the same size as 'Hanna'. If you like cherries, the Columnar Cherry 'Sylvia' will delight you with its upright habit, reaching 1.50m (5ft) in height. The Dwarf Peach 'Amber Pix Zee' with its long and narrow decorative leaves has the same compact size as the previous ones, as well as the Dwarf Pear 'Garden Pearl' with fruits as large as the classic varieties. So you can enjoy delicious fruits throughout the summer, even in a small garden...