How a 1911 hybrid became the ultimate solution for northern fruit growers
The Northern Grower’s Dilemma
For decades, cold-climate gardeners faced a bitter truth: truly delicious plums simply couldn’t survive Zone 3 winters. Many settled for bland, hardy varieties or watched helplessly as tender Asian plum varieties died in the first frost. Some turned to expensive greenhouse solutions, only to find the artificial environment robbed the fruit of its complex flavor profile.
Then came the breakthrough from an unlikely place – the frozen plains of South Dakota. In 1911, horticulturist N.E. Hansen crossed American plum’s resilience with Asian plum’s decadent sweetness, creating what would become known as the “Candy Plum” or “Bubblegum Plum” for its intense, spicy-sweet aroma.
Did you know? Toka plums contain 18-22% natural sugar content – higher than most commercial plum varieties despite being grown in colder regions.
The Three-Level Anatomy of Toka’s Excellence
1. Physical Structure
- Tree: Upright growth (14′ max), dense white blossoms, red fall foliage
- Fruit: Small-medium size (2-2.5″), red skin with yellow flesh
- Root System: Myro 29C rootstock enhances cold tolerance
2. Biochemical Profile
- Sugar: 18-22% content (higher than most commercial plums)
- Volatiles: Unique ester compounds create “bubblegum” aroma
- Antioxidants: Anthocyanin levels 15% above average red plums
3. Growth Mechanism
- Cold Adaptation: American plum genes trigger early dormancy
- Self-Pollination: Complete flowers eliminate cross-pollination needs
- Fruit Set: 60-day development period optimizes sugar accumulation
How Toka Stands Against Top-Selling Plum Varieties
| Variety | Cold Hardiness (Zone) | Sugar Content | Pollination Needs | Season Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toka (Our Star) | 3-9 | 18-22% | Self-fertile | Mid-late summer |
| Santa Rosa (Top Seller) | 5-9 | 14-17% | Requires pollinator | Early summer |
| Methley (Popular Asian) | 5-9 | 16-19% | Self-fertile | Early summer |
| Mount Royal (Hardy Euro) | 4-8 | 12-15% | Self-fertile | Late summer |
Data compiled from University of Minnesota Horticultural Trials (2022)
From Frozen Disappointment to Candy-Sweet Triumph
Initial State
Sarah, a Minnesota homesteader, watched her third consecutive plum tree die during winter. “I’d given up on having homegrown plums – the varieties that survived tasted like cardboard,” she recalls.
The Turning Point
After discovering Toka’s century-old heritage and Zone 3 rating at a local nursery, Sarah decided to give plums one last try. “The ‘bubblegum plum’ nickname sounded too good to be true,” she admits.
The Transformation
Three years later, Sarah’s Toka tree not only survives -30°F winters but produces enough fruit for eating fresh, canning, and even supplying a farmstand. “Customers ask if I add sugar to the jam – that’s just how Toka tastes!”
Why Toka Earned Its “Candy Plum” Nickname
Four-Season Beauty
Spring blossoms → Summer fruit → Fall foliage → Winter hardiness. Few fruit trees offer this much ornamental value.
Pollination Pro
Its abundant pollen makes Toka the perfect partner for other hybrid plums like Superior, boosting entire orchard yields.
Heritage Resilience
Over 110 years of proven performance – this isn’t a fragile new hybrid but a time-tested survivor.
“After 20 years of failed plum trees, my Toka gave me 35 pounds of fruit in its third year – enough for eating fresh, jam, and even plum wine. The flavor is unreal for something that grows where winter hits -30°F.”
– Mark R., North Dakota Zone 3b
Ready to Grow Your Own Candy Plum?
Join generations of northern growers who’ve enjoyed Toka’s legendary flavor and resilience. Our 2-year grafted trees ship at the ideal planting time for your zone.
*Price includes lifetime growing support from our horticulture team
The Timeless Choice for Cold Climate Fruit Lovers
In the world of cold hardy fruit trees, few varieties combine the sweetness of Asian plums with American plum toughness like Toka does. This self-fertile plum tree solves the northern gardener’s eternal dilemma – sacrificing flavor for hardiness or vice versa. Whether you’re looking for a pollinator companion for Superior plum trees, need a low maintenance fruit tree for your homestead, or simply want to grow the sweetest plum for cold climates, Toka’s century-long track record speaks for itself.
As climate patterns become increasingly unpredictable, planting disease resistant fruit trees with wide adaptability like Toka becomes even more crucial. Its Myro 29C rootstock ensures better drought tolerance than older varieties while maintaining exceptional cold hardiness. For those in USDA zones 3-9 seeking a productive backyard plum tree that delivers both ornamental beauty and exceptional fruit quality, the choice is clear – the “Bubblegum Plum” that started it all still reigns supreme.