{"product_id":"italian-plum-tree","title":"Italian Plum Tree","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n  \/* Base Container *\/\n  .ss-split-container {\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 1400px;\n    margin: 40px auto;\n    font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, \"Helvetica Neue\", Arial, sans-serif;\n    color: #444;\n    line-height: 1.8;\n    font-size: 16px;\n  }\n\n  \/* Core Split Layout *\/\n  .ss-split-layout {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-wrap: wrap; \n    gap: 50px; \n    align-items: flex-start; \n  }\n\n  \/* Left Side: Description *\/\n  .ss-split-desc {\n    flex: 5.5;\n    min-width: 300px; \n  }\n\n  \/* Left Side H2 Optimization *\/\n  .ss-split-desc h2 {\n    margin: 35px 0 12px 0;\n    font-size: 1.15em; \n    color: #111;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    letter-spacing: 0.02em;\n  }\n  \n  \/* Remove top margin for the first H2 *\/\n  .ss-split-desc h2:first-of-type {\n    margin-top: 0;\n  }\n  \n  .ss-split-desc p {\n    margin: 0 0 16px 0;\n    color: #555;\n    text-align: justify; \n  }\n\n  \/* Right Side: Spec Card *\/\n  .ss-split-specs {\n    flex: 4.5;\n    min-width: 300px;\n  }\n\n  \/* Modern Card Design *\/\n  .ss-specs-card {\n    background-color: #faf9f6; \n    border-radius: 16px;       \n    padding: 35px 40px;        \n    border: 1px solid #f0f0f0; \n  }\n\n  .ss-specs-card h3 {\n    margin: 0 0 20px 0;\n    font-size: 1.1em;\n    color: #111;\n    border-bottom: 2px solid #4b0082; \/* Indigo border to match the deep skin of the fruit *\/\n    display: inline-block;\n    padding-bottom: 5px;\n  }\n\n  \/* Clean List Structure *\/\n  .ss-spec-list {\n    list-style: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n  }\n  \n  .ss-spec-item {\n    display: flex;\n    padding: 14px 0;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.04); \n  }\n  .ss-spec-item:last-child {\n    border-bottom: none;\n  }\n\n  \/* Label Styling *\/\n  .ss-spec-label {\n    flex: 0 0 40%;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    color: #333;\n    padding-right: 15px;\n  }\n\n  \/* Value Styling *\/\n  .ss-spec-value {\n    flex: 1;\n    color: #666;\n  }\n\n  \/* Mobile Adaptation *\/\n  @media (max-width: 900px) {\n    .ss-split-layout {\n      flex-direction: column;\n      gap: 30px; \n    }\n    .ss-split-desc, .ss-split-specs {\n      flex: 1 1 100%;\n      width: 100%;\n    }\n    .ss-specs-card {\n      padding: 25px 20px;\n    }\n    .ss-spec-label {\n      flex: 0 0 35%;\n    }\n  }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"ss-split-container\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ss-split-layout\"\u003e\n    \n    \u003cdiv class=\"ss-split-desc\"\u003e\n      \u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePremium Italian Plum Tree (Prunus domestica 'Italian')\u003c\/strong\u003e is a classic European plum cultivar, widely celebrated for its incredibly sweet, high-quality fruit and exceptional versatility. The iconic, dark purple-skinned plums feature a firm, golden-yellow flesh that is remarkably sweet, making them the premier choice for fresh eating, drying into delicious prunes, or creating high-end jams and preserves. Starting your orchard with a \u003cstrong\u003e1-2 ft. starter tree\u003c\/strong\u003e is the most rewarding way to welcome this variety into your home garden. By allowing the young tree to establish its root system directly in your landscape, you foster long-term vigor and structural resilience, ensuring your tree grows into a healthy, heavy-bearing centerpiece that serves your family for generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n      \u003ch2\u003eGrowth Rate \u0026amp; Habit\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe Italian Plum is a moderately vigorous grower with an attractive, upright, and somewhat vase-shaped habit. It produces reliable, heavy crops of fruit on relatively short, manageable branches, making it an excellent candidate for smaller orchards or suburban backyards. The foliage is a deep, healthy green, and the tree is well-known for its consistent productivity. Annual pruning during the dormant season will help maintain an open canopy, which promotes better air circulation and sunlight penetration, essential for developing the deep, rich color and high sugar content of the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n      \u003ch2\u003eHarvest \u0026amp; Fruit Quality\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eItalian plums are prized for their \"freestone\" nature—the pit separates easily from the flesh—which makes them incredibly convenient for processing and drying. The flavor is a sophisticated balance of sugars and balanced acidity, often deepening in intensity when allowed to fully ripen on the branch. It is a self-fertile variety, meaning it will reliably produce a full crop even without a nearby pollination partner, though cross-pollination can often further increase yields in some climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n      \u003ch2\u003eWatering and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eDuring its first few seasons, consistent moisture is vital. Keep the root zone moist during the active growing season, applying a deep, deliberate soak at the base of the tree once a week. This focus on deep hydration encourages a robust, drought-tolerant root system. Apply a balanced, organic fruit tree fertilizer in early spring as the buds begin to swell, providing the essential nutrients required to support the tree’s structural growth and ensure a high-quality fruit set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n      \u003ch2\u003eLight \u0026amp; Hardiness\u003c\/h2\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eTo ensure maximum sweetness and fruit production, place your Italian Plum tree in a location that receives full sun—aim for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight daily. This is crucial for both tree vigor and sugar accumulation in the fruit. Reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5-9, this cultivar is a resilient, well-adapted performer. It requires a specific period of winter \"chill hours\" to set fruit successfully, making it a dependable staple for growers across a wide variety of temperate climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ss-split-specs\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ss-specs-card\"\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eTree Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cul class=\"ss-spec-list\"\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003ePrunus domestica 'Italian'\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eItalian Plum Tree\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eTree Type\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eEuropean Plum \/ Starter Tree\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eShipping Size\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eApprox. 1 - 2 ft. tall (Starter Tree)\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eHarvest Season\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eLate Summer to Early Autumn\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eUpright, vase-shaped\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003e5 - 9\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eMature Size\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003e15 - 20 ft. tall and wide\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eSun Exposure\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eFull Sun (6-8+ hours daily)\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eWatering Needs\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eModerate (Consistent moisture)\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eSoil Type\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eRich, organic, well-draining soil\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli class=\"ss-spec-item\"\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-label\"\u003eSpecial Features\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv class=\"ss-spec-value\"\u003eExcellent for drying\/prunes; self-fertile\u003c\/div\u003e\n          \u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003c\/ul\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Soil Song","offers":[{"title":"1-2 feet","offer_id":49299701891295,"sku":"66S04-I","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/0120\/8543\/files\/italian-plum-tree-3092122.webp?v=1779515645","url":"https:\/\/mysoilsong.com\/products\/italian-plum-tree","provider":"Soil Song","version":"1.0","type":"link"}