Prunus salicina 'Howard's Miracle' (Plum)

Howard's Miracle is yellow-skinned Japanese plum with amber flesh and a remarkable pineapple-tinged tropical aroma that has earned it cult status among home plum enthusiasts. Prunus salicina is the cultivated japanese plum, originating in China (despite the common name); cultivated in Japan and worldwide and grown for centuries for its fruit. It is not native to North America.

Bloom and harvest in the PNW. Bloom is early to mid-spring (March to April), with fruit ripening early to mid-August in Oregon and Washington orchards. Site in full sun with good air drainage to reduce disease pressure.

Pollination. Howard's Miracle is NOT self-fertile and requires a compatible second cultivar to set fruit. Recommended pollenizers: needs cross-pollination (Santa Rosa, Shiro, Satsuma, or Methley).

PNW disease and care. Howard's Miracle is one of the most distinctively flavored Japanese plums. Requires a partner for cross-pollination; Santa Rosa is the standard pairing. Bloom is early so site warmly in maritime PNW. The species-level disease pressures to plan for are brown rot, bacterial canker, and shothole. Japanese plums bloom earlier than European plums, so frost risk is higher in the maritime PNW. Most Japanese plums need a second Japanese cultivar for cross-pollination; European cultivars cannot pollinate them.

Native fruiting alternatives: If you also want to support PNW birds and pollinators with regionally native fruit, consider Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry), Vaccinium ovatum (evergreen huckleberry), Malus fusca (Pacific crabapple), or Prunus virginiana (chokecherry). These provide bird food, pollinator support, and Indigenous food heritage in your landscape alongside your orchard fruit.