gilroyUpick

Pluerries

Pluerries are a unique hybrid fruit that combine the rich sweetness of plums with the bright flavor of cherries. Their juicy texture, and complex taste make them one of the most sought-after summer fruits. At Gilroy U-Pick, we grow several premium pluerry cultivars, including **Sweet Treat**, **Candy Heart**, and **Flavor Punch**. Each variety offers its own distinct flavor profile — from intense sweetness and cherry-like richness to tangy, aromatic notes. Our pluerries are tree-ripened for maximum flavor and available for a limited time during the summer harvest season. Because pluerries are still rare and not commonly found at most U-pick farms, they are a special highlight of the Gilroy U-Pick experience. Come taste the difference and pick your own fresh pluerries straight from the tree. If you like cherries, you'll love pluerries.If cherries are your favorite, pluerries may become your new favorite.

View Varieties

• Sugar Twist
  June 1 – June 15
  A very early pluerry with bright red skin and yellow flesh. Sweet with a slight tart edge, making it excellent for fresh eating. Its juicy texture and balanced flavor make it a favorite at the start of the season.
• Sweet Treat
  June 25 – July 30
  Known for its deep purple skin and rich, candy-like sweetness. This variety has firm flesh with exceptional juiciness and very low acidity. Perfect for snacking and one of the most popular mid-season pluerries.
• Candy Heart
  July 28 – Aug 23
  Heart-shaped fruit with vibrant red flesh and intense sweetness. Its flavor has hints of cherry and plum, giving it a unique taste profile. Great for eating fresh, desserts, and fruit platters.
• Flavor Punch
  Mid Aug – Sept
  A late-season variety with bold, complex flavor and excellent sweetness. Large fruit with dark skin and firm flesh, ideal for fresh eating or preserving. Extends the pluerry season with rich, full-bodied taste.

Genesis of the Pluerry

• The Parents
  • Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) provides:
    • Large fruit size
    • Juicy flesh
    • High sugar content
    • Productive trees
  • Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) contributes:
    • Distinctive cherry flavor
    • Rich aroma
    • Firmer texture
    • Deep red pigmentation
• The Breeding Process
  • Plum and cherry flowers were hand-pollinated.
  • Thousands of seedlings were grown.
  • Only a handful displayed desirable characteristics.
  • The best seedlings were crossed again over multiple generations to strengthen the combination of plum and cherry traits.
• Why It Took So Long
  • Plum and cherry are related but naturally do not cross easily.
  • Creating a commercially successful hybrid required:
    • Multiple generations of breeding
    • Careful selection for fruit quality
    • Evaluation of disease resistance
    • Testing productivity and storage life
    • Ensuring the fruit ripened consistently
• Commercial Introduction
  • The first commercial pluerries appeared in the early 2000s.
  • Today several cultivars are grown in California and other stone-fruit-producing regions.