Starking® Delicious™ Plum Tree
Description
Perfect for first-time growers. We never use the term “delicious” lightly, and this variety is no exception. Consistently bears heavy crops of round, sweet dessert plums with red skin and red flesh. Disease-resistant to bacterial leaf spot and canker. Heat-tolerant. Clingstone. Discovered in 1931 and introduced by Stark Bro’s in 1951. Ripens in early August.
Survival Guaranteed!


Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
Bloom Color | White |
Bloom Time | Early |
Chill Hours | 700 - 1000 |
Fruit Color | Red |
Fruit Size | Large |
Hardiness Zone Range | 5 - 9 |
Pollination | Pollinator Required |
Ripens/Harvest | Early August |
Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
Soil Composition | Loamy |
Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
Taste | Sweet |
Texture | Firm |
Years to Bear | 3 - 6 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Standard | 18 - 20' tall x 18 - 20' wide |
Dwarf | 8 - 10' tall x 8 - 10' wide |
Recommended Spacing
Standard | 18 - 20' |
Dwarf | 8 - 10' |
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow plum trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
Starking Delicious and Elephant Heart are Asian/Japanese type plums, so Santa Rosa (another Asian/Japanese type plum) should work just fine as a pollinator for those varieties. 'Big Blue' is a European type plum, so it is not recommended.
We appreciate you reaching out to us. Unfortunately the plum cot will not pollinate this variety. You would need an Ozark premier or a Methley for proper pollination.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
We appreciate you reaching out to us. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.
You can plant new plants and trees:
1) when the ground is not frozen.
2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32ºF) and below 90ºF.
3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
You can keep it as small as you would like. I cut mine off at 3' and will continue pruning every year to keep it that small.
Yes, Ruby Sweet plum and Starking Delicious plum are compatible pollinators for each other, as long as they bloom at the same time — and they typically do.
We appreciate you reaching out to us. We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
No it is not self pollinating as listed on the product page to the right it requires another tree in order to bear fruit.
We do offer one variety but it is currently out of stock. https://www.starkbros.com/products/fruit-trees/plum-trees/flavor-queen-pluot
Yes those will pollinate together to bear fruit.
Japanese plums require 700 to 1,000 hours in the chilling range to break dormancy and resume growth.
Customer Reviews
Have not had any problems and waiting for my first crop
THIS ONE IS NAMED AFTER STARKBROS SO THEY HAVE HIGH CONFIDENCE IN THIS ONE. THE PICTURE LOOKS GREAT AS WELL
Sweet plum
Needed a pollinator
Looked good with the positive reviews and Stark grafts and hybrids have always been good.