Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

$250.00

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Title: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m (approx.) (can be kept smaller by pruning)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' is a compact deciduous Japanese plum, often sold as a blood plum. Pink tinged blossom covers the bare framework in spring, followed by glossy oval leaves. The fruit is large and heart shaped, with dark red flesh that is sweet, juicy and low in acid, good eaten fresh or cooked into preserves.

Give it full sun, at least six hours a day, and free draining soil with organic matter worked through. It fruits well in cool and warm temperate districts and needs a cold winter to set a proper crop. Growth is 50 to 80 centimetres a year. Water consistently while the fruit swells, then ease off.

The compact size suits small backyards, edible garden beds and large containers where a full sized plum would take over the space. It also trains neatly along a fence or against a sunny wall. Plant a Santa Rosa or Satsuma alongside and you have a productive pair in a very small footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Mariposa Plum

What is a Mariposa Plum?

Mariposa is a Japanese plum cultivar, Prunus salicina 'Mariposa', grown for large heart shaped fruit with deep red flesh, a sweet low acid flavour and a stone that separates cleanly. The tree is deciduous, compact and rounded, with pink tinged spring blossom and glossy leaves. Growers often call it a blood plum because of the flesh colour.

How big does the tree grow?

Expect a spread of 2 to 3 metres and a similar height under normal annual pruning, which is what makes it a genuine small garden fruit tree. Left completely unpruned on vigorous rootstock it will push taller over time, so a yearly cut keeps both the size and the fruit within easy reach from the ground.

Does Mariposa Plum need a pollinator?

Yes. Mariposa is not self fertile and needs a compatible Japanese plum flowering at the same time to set fruit. Santa Rosa and Satsuma are the usual partners, planted within about 10 to 15 metres. Without a pollinator you will get a full display of blossom in spring and very little fruit, which catches out a lot of new growers.

When does it flower and fruit?

Flowering is in spring, generally September and October, with the blossom opening as the leaves begin to move. Fruit follows through summer and is usually ready from late December into February depending on your district. Warmer areas ripen earlier, and cool highland gardens sit at the later end of that window.

Can it grow in a pot?

It is one of the better plums for containers because of its compact frame. Use a pot of at least 80 to 100 litres with a quality free draining mix, water daily in hot weather, and feed through spring and summer. You will still need a compatible pollinating variety nearby, whether that is in the ground or in a second pot.

Is it frost tolerant?

The tree is fully frost hardy while dormant and in fact needs cold winters to crop properly. The vulnerable moment is spring, when a late frost on open blossom can wipe out that year's fruit. In frost pocket gardens, plant on a slope or a raised position where cold air drains away rather than in the lowest corner.

How do I care for a Mariposa Plum?

Water deeply while the fruit is sizing and mulch to hold that moisture, keeping mulch off the trunk. Prune in late summer or early autumn in dry weather to avoid canker, keeping an open vase shape. Thin heavy crops so the branches are not overloaded, and net the tree as fruit colours if birds are a problem.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Edible Garden
Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum works in an:

Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum Evergreen or Deciduous?

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m (approx.) (can be kept smaller by pruning)

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

Is Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum frost tolerant?

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum Flower?

Prunus salicina ‘Mariposa’ produces masses of soft white blossoms in early spring, often before the foliage emerges. These delicate blooms create a beautiful orchard-style display and are followed by large, dark red plums with sweet, richly flavoured blood-red flesh.

Does Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum an Australian Native Tree?

No

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is Native to A Japanese plum cultivar (Prunus salicina), bred and grown widely in Australia, originally derived from East Asian species.

What is the Wildlife Value of Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum ?

Its early-spring blossoms attract bees and beneficial pollinating insects essential for fruit formation. The ripening plums provide a seasonal food source for birds, while the branching canopy creates shelter and light nesting opportunities, supporting biodiversity in edible gardens and mixed orchards.

How much Sunlight does Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum need?

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Prunus salicina ‘Mariposa’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy or poorly drained clay unless improved with coarse material and organic matter to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support strong growth, healthy root development and reliable fruiting.

Is Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum Drought Tolerant?

Is Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Mariposa’ offers moderate drought tolerance. It performs best in warm, dry conditions and maintains healthy growth and fruit set with deep, occasional watering during extended dry spells. Consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development significantly improves yield and quality.

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How To Plant Your Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum is expected to grow 50cm to 80cm per year (moderate to fast) (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Prunus salicina 'Mariposa' Plum in Different Soil

Prunus salicina performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the best time to harvest Mariposa Plums?
Mariposa Plums are typically ready for harvest in early to mid-summer when they reach their full size, and the skin turns deep purple.
Can 'Mariposa' Plum be grown in containers?
Yes, it can be grown in large containers or pots, making it suitable for patios and small spaces.
Is it self-pollinating or does it require a pollinator tree?
While it can produce fruit on its own, having another plum tree nearby for cross-pollination can enhance fruit production.