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Plum variety

Dapple Dandy

Also known as Dapple Dandy Pluot, Dinosaur Egg

The short answer

Dapple Dandy requires 400–500 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 5–10[1]. It needs a pollination partner[1].

Growing facts

Dapple Dandy growing facts
Chill requirement400–500 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 5–10[1] (nursery figure)
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[1]
Harvest windowAugust[1]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for plums)[2]
Dapple Dandy plumSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Dapple Dandy blooms in group 3. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 10 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Pluot (interspecific plum hybrid); needs a pollinizer such as Flavor Supreme, Flavor King, Santa Rosa or Burgundy. Mottled 'dinosaur egg' skin.[1]

A year with your Dapple Dandy

When the work happens for a plum in USDA zone 8, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Plum in zone 8
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing—————
Harvest————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month plum calendar for zone 8 →

Can I grow Dapple Dandy where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Dapple Dandy? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Dapple Dandy need?
Dapple Dandy needs 400–500 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Dapple Dandy?
Dapple Dandy grows in USDA zones 5–10.
Is Dapple Dandy self-pollinating?
No — Dapple Dandy needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Dapple Dandy Pluot — DWN Variety Finder — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026