Cultivar 344: Patterson Pride

Patterson Pride is a University of Saskatchewan cherry plum type introduction. In 1960, it was recorded as selection P58-104 from mixed open pollinations of native plum material with Prunus salicina.[S2] It was selected for compact growth and useful fruit quality. Its low, pendulous form made it notable enough to be suggested for small urban gardens with limited space.[S1][S2]

The 1960 introduction record describes Patterson Pride under non irrigated field conditions at Saskatoon as a low growing tree with strongly recurved branches and good productivity.[S2] A later Saskatchewan evaluation calls it a dwarf, pendulous University of Saskatchewan introduction. It says the tree stays compact in dry conditions but becomes much more sprawling when watered in backyard settings.[S1] These sources suggest it was defined as much by growth habit as by fruit.[S1][S2]

Sources describe the fruit as deep red, about 1 3/4 inches across, with medium thin tender skin and yellow juicy flesh.[S1][S2] The flavor is reported as sweet. Dessert quality is rated good in the Saskatchewan table, while the introduction note calls the quality excellent.[S1][S2] It ripens in mid September under Saskatoon field conditions.[S2]

Tree habit is one of its clearest traits. Patterson Pride is low growing and recurving to pendulous rather than upright. Later observations say this compact habit holds best without irrigation, while watered trees can become quite sprawling.[S1][S2] It is also described as a good yielder.[S2]

Hardiness is the main limitation. Saskatchewan evaluation notes say it lacked hardiness. It showed little injury at Saskatoon but moderate injury at other test locations in the province. It was recommended only for well protected sites in zone 3B and possibly zone 4.[S1] This places it among the less hardy cherry plum introductions, not among the most dependable prairie plums.[S1]

Its documented parentage is native plum material crossed through mixed open pollinations with P. salicina.[S2] The later evaluation places it in the cherry plum group and notes that this class was generally suited only to protected prairie sites.[S1] No descendant or sibling relationships are given in the cited sources.[S1][S2]

Summary source basis

• S1: hortfacts_1976_3.pdf
• S2: University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960

This summary currently draws chiefly from hortfacts_1976_3.pdf, with 2 additional supporting sources linked below.

Featured source descriptions

“Skin described as medium thin and tender; flesh as yellow and juicy.”
— ^[3]

“Lacks somewhat in hardiness; showed little injury at Saskatoon but moderate injury at all other locations in the province.”
— ^[3]

“Flavor listed as sweet.”
— ^[3]

“Because of the dwarf habit, it may find a place in urban gardens where space is at a premium.”
— ^[3]

Direct parent cultivars

• No direct linked parent cultivars promoted yet.

Parentage claim text

• Included among P. nigra x salicina hybrids.
• Parentage listed as Native x P. salicina, mixed open pollinations.

Derived or downstream cultivar links

• No derived or downstream lineage links yet.

Source-story quotations

• P58-104 Patterson Pride Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations 1960 fruit up to 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon, deep red; excellent quality ripening mid-Sept; tree low-growing with markedly recurving branches; good yielder.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• P58-104 Patterson Pride Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations 1960 fruit up to 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon, deep red; excellent quality ripening mid-Sept; tree low-growing with markedly recurving branches; good yielder.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• P58-104 Patterson Pride Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations 1960 fruit up to 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon, deep red; excellent quality ripening mid-Sept; tree low-growing with markedly recurving branches; good yielder.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6
• P58-104 Patterson Pride Native x P. salicina. Mixed open pollinations 1960 fruit up to 1 3/4" under field conditions, without irrigation at Saskatoon, deep red; excellent quality ripening mid-Sept; tree low-growing with markedly recurving branches; good yielder.University of Saskatchewan fruit introductions 1959-1960, p6

Taxonomy context: No family-tree context surfaced yet.

Related cultivars mentioned in source context