In the German-speaking world, the Mirabelle plum goes by many names—you might hear it called the “Yellow Plum” or even “Reine Claude.” But no matter what you call it, the name actually traces back to the Latin word *mirabilis*, which means “wonderful.” And let me tell you, if you’ve ever tasted a ripe one right off the tree, you know that name is spot on! Of course, to get those tasty treats, your tree needs to bloom first.
Mirabelle Plum at a Glance
- Botanical Name: *Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca*
- Common Names: Mirabelle plum, Yellow plum, Cherry plum
- Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
- Tree Type: Deciduous
- Fruit: 1–2 inch stone fruit (drupe)
- Leaves: Light green, oval, serrated edges; about 1–3 inches long and 1–2 inches wide
- Height: 20–30 feet
- Flower Color: White
- Bloom Time: April to May
- Harvest Season: August to September
How to Identify a Mirabelle Tree
If you’re out for a spring stroll and want to spot a wild Mirabelle, keep your eyes peeled for clusters of snowy white blossoms. Each individual flower has five delicate petals and grows in a pretty umbrella-like shape (what we gardeners call an umbel). They aren’t just eye candy, either—you can actually candy the blossoms for cake decorations or brew them into a fragrant herbal tea!
The Mirabelle Bloom Season
If you’re lucky enough to have one of these beauties in your own backyard, timing is everything. Knowing when it blooms is the key to proper care. You’ll want to prune your tree either in the fall or in early spring before the buds open. Thinning out the branches lets more sunlight hit the center of the tree, which is the secret to getting a massive harvest of super-sweet fruit. If you miss that spring pruning window, you might find yourself with a much smaller crop come summer.
I recommend getting your pruning shears out around mid-to-late March. Since the Mirabelle usually blooms between April and May, you’ll want to be finished by then so you can just sit back and enjoy the show when the tree turns into a giant white cloud of flowers. Once the blossoms fade and the fruit develops, you’ll be ready to harvest your plums between August and September.
