Gillet introduced the Imperial in 1878, a variety which apparently was a chance seedling discovered in Clairac, France about 1870. This is the highest flavored prune, and is used at the English National Fruit Trials as the standard to judge prune flavor. The fruit is medium to large, red to purple with a meaty yellow flesh. The tree is an upright grower, with willowy branches. The freestone, very sweet purple fruit is medium to large and ripens in mid August through mid September, depending on location. Very good for fresh eating, jam or drying. Can be sun dried without the lye or boiling water dip necessary for sun drying other varieties. Best production when planted with either a French Improved or Robe de Sergeant as a pollenizer, but will bear well without a pollenizer.

Our mother tree is still (!) growing in Graniteville, once a boisterous, prosperous mining town at 4977’ on the San Juan Ridge. The house where the tree is located dates to 1885. At this high of an elevation the fruit has a challenge ripening before the bears get it, but the tree continues to produce a crop nearly every year, weather permitting. It is our highest elevation Prunus species discovered thus far. Will thrive at lower elevations!