Unique Features: The Santa Rosa is a complex hybrid of European, Japanese, and Native American plums developed by Luther Burbank in 1906. It is self-fertile so just one tree will produce fruit, but a Japanese or American plum variety nearby will increase yields. The Santa Rosa plum flowers in early spring with profuse fragrant white flowers. The 1½”-3” plums with red to purple skin and sweet yellow cling stone flesh ripen in August, the ripe fruit is soft so handle with care. The overall taste is sweet and tart, with the skin providing the tartness. Removing the skins gives the flesh a mellow sweetness and just freezing, part of the peeling process, will increase the sweetness. Pruning is especially important because the Santa Rosa produces fruit on new, younger wood. Netting the tree will help protect the fruit from predators.