Empress plum
Prunus domesticaEmpress, also widely-known as Blue Imperatrice, is an unusually late-season dark blue / purple European plum. The plums have a sweet sugary flavor, but the golden yellow flesh is quite dry.
The plums are "persistent", and if not picked will hang on the tree well into late fall. They can also be kept in a fridge for several weeks.
Blue Imperatrice is believed to have originated in Europe in the 18th century, and was eventually exported to North America where it is usually known as Empress.
Also known as
- Blue Imperatrice
USDA identification images for Empress
The identification paintings in the USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection span the years 1886 to 1942.
Citation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection. Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.
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Tree register
We don't have any registered trees for this variety yet. If you have a Empress tree you can register it here.
Origins
- Species: Prunus domestica - European plum
- UK National Fruit Collection accession: 1953-019
Identification
- Period of origin: 1700 - 1749
- Fruit colour: Blue - dark
- Fruit colour: Purple - light
- Flower colour: White
- Leaf colour: Green
- Annual cycle: Deciduous
- Flowering duration: Average (2-3 weeks)
- Flower form: Single flower (5-8 petals)
- Flesh colour: Golden / Yellow
- Fruit size: Average
- Fruit shape: Oval
Using
- Cling-stone: Semi-freestone
- Picking season: Very late
- Keeping (of fruit): 2-3 weeks
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Cropping: Good
- Fruit persistence: Persistent
- Food uses: Drying
- Food uses: Dual purpose
- Picking month: September
- Picking period: late September
Growing
- Gardening skill: Average
- Flowering group: 5
- Pollinating others: Average
- Vigour: Average vigour
- Bearing regularity: Regular
- Self-fertility: Not self-fertile
- Growth habit: Upright-spreading / Vase
Climate
- Cold hardiness (USDA): Zone 5 (-29C)
- Climate suitability: Temperate climates
Other qualities
- Disease resistance: Good
Where to buy trees
The following tree nurseries offer Empress plum trees for sale:
- Orange Pippin Fruit Trees (USA) United States
Empress plum trees
Where to buy fresh fruit
No orchards have registered as growing this variety. If you grow this and want to register please go to our Orchard Registration form.