Stanley Prune Plum Tree
Prunus 'Stanley'
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Preorder Shipping Schedule
We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.
| Zone 3-4 | Week of March 30th |
| Zone 5 | Week of March 16th |
| Zone 6-12 | Week of March 2nd |
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Our Container Sizes
At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes
Quart
Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.
#1 Container
Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.
#2 Container
Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.
#3 Container
Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.
#5 Container and Larger
Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.
Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?
Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.
Root Pouch Containers
Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:
- Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
- Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.
Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.
Full Root Pouch planting guide
Choosing the Right Size
| Size | Plant Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Quart | 6 mo to 1 yr | Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings. |
| #1 Container | 1 to 2 yrs | Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners. |
| #2 Container | 2 to 3 yrs | Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment. |
| #3 Container | 3 to 4 yrs | Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size. |
| #5 and larger | 4+ yrs | Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact. |
Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Description
Superb & Splendid Stanley Prune Plum Tree!
- Deep Blackish-Blue Fruit
- Bluish Frosted Skin
- Yellow - Green Flesh
- Sweet & Tender High Sugar
- Fragrant White Flowers
- Self-Fruitful
- Handsome Foliage & Upright Vase Shape
- Fresh Eating, Dried, Baked or Canned
- Freestone Pits
- Ripens Late Summer to Fall
- Produces Fruit In 3-4 Years
- Antique European Plum Variety
- Easy to Grow
- 700-800 Chill Hours
The Stanley Prune Plum Tree (Prunus 'Stanley') has been around for a century and is the most popular European plum variety on the market! What makes the Stanley European so popular? Not only can you plant it for its wonderful fruit, but it also makes a great ornamental with its beautiful, dark green foliage! A win-win for your landscape!
When spring arrives, you will see your Stanley covered with snow-white blossoms, bringing in hungry butterflies and bees that will help with pollination. Sweetly scented, you’ll be as drawn to them as the butterflies are!
During the summer, enjoy the deep green foliage as you wait for midseason to late harvest. Plus featuring an upright form that takes on a mature vase shape! Stanley is an average-sized tree so it will fit into most landscapes, and will give you a reliable, large crop year after year!
When late summer to fall arrives, your fruit turns their trademark color, indicating they are ready to pick! Stanley produces a medium-size, opulent dark blue to purplish-red fruit. The light yellow flesh has a hint of green that looks stunning next to its dark skin. Its flesh is firm and does not cling to the stone.
It is tender and fine-grained, with high sugar content, so it will fill your mouth with its sweet, tasty juice with every bite. The fruit is great for eating fresh, or you may can and preserve them for later use. This variety is also excellent for drying as prunes!
How to Use Stanley Prune Plum Tree In The Landscape
The gorgeous early spring flush of white blooms and fragrance each spring makes these fantastic trees in their own right, these dress up your front yard landscape or adorn a side yard, softening building corners with beauty!
The lovely foliage and great-shaped tree fit easily into most landscapes and existing orchards! The foliage lends dappled shade and cooling cover from the heat, so park these by your seating areas and patio for shade while enjoying your flowers and fruit!
Plus, you can prune these much smaller as needed for an easier harvest, or to fit Stanley into smaller landscapes. Try pruning this tree into an Espalier form for an easy harvest that’s an incredible conversation piece!
Perfect trees for dual purpose and edible landscaping, you’ll be thrilled to have your own Stanley decorating your property!
#ProPlantTips For Care
Fantastic in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 7. Your Stanley will love full sun and well-drained soil. You should water it weekly when it is young, but remember to give it an extra drink or two when it is hot and dry.
Plant fruit trees in well-drained soil that has been enriched with lots of organic matter. Heavy mulching over the root system's surface helps retain moisture and also insulates the roots.
Our Garden Blog for more Fruit Tree Planting, Fruit Tree Pruning and Plum Tree Care tips and tricks can be found!
While the Stanley European Plum will self-pollinate, you will get a better yield if you plant it with a partner plum, like the Mount Royal, that blooms at the same time. It does bloom later than most plums, so it is less likely to be damaged by a late frost!
Order your Stanley Plum Tree today, and join the many farmers and gardeners that are growing the most popular plum, and before you know it, you will be plucking your own delicious plums and know for yourself why so many people have chosen it. So order yours today at NatureHills.com before they are sold out! These won't last long!
Specifications
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Botanical Name
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Class
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Growing Zones
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Height
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Width
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Fall Color
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FragrantYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring
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Does Not Ship ToAK, CA, HI, ID, MT, TX
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