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Plum Trees

Our premium plum trees are perfect even for a beginner as they’re so reliable and heavy cropping. Damsons and gages are from the same family and are well worth adding to your home orchard. And naturally they’re all traditionally grown and hand-picked (literally) by our UK tree growers for their exceptional performance, so they’re guaranteed to produce the goods!

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South Downs National Park

Meet John

110 years' expertise free with every tree

John’s family have been growing trees in the South Downs National Park for over a century, and it shows. Dug up and sent straight to your garden at between 18-36 months old, their quality rootstocks, expert pruning and natural pest control mean that these traditionally field-grown trees are the hardiest you can get.

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Which plum tree?

Which plum tree?

Plums, gages and damsons are all members of the Prunus domestica family. Plums are large, soft fleshed and can be used for eating or cooking, depending on the variety. They’re easy to grow. Gages are smaller, rounder and sweeter for eating but need more sun than plums. Damsons are very easy to grow, have a tart flavour and are best for cooking and jam. Plums and gages will produce a crop within three years (1-2 years for smaller dwarfing varieties) while damsons may take between 3 and 5 - however it is worth the wait! Opal is great for a medium to large garden. If you have a small space or want to grow in a pot, choose a patio tree like Victoria. Here’s some more help with choosing.

What's the deal with rootstocks?

What's the deal with rootstocks?

A tree’s rootstock determines how large it will grow, so it’s important to choose the right one for your space. Plum, damson or gage trees on Pixy rootstock grow to around 3m so they’re perfect for small to medium gardens. Trees on St Julien A (SJA) rootstocks are more vigorous, reaching heights of 4.5-5m.

Growers' tips

Growers' tips

Plum trees are easy to grow. They’re happy in most well draining soils and prefer a sunny site. Prune them annually and they’ll reward you with many trouble free years. Many plum trees can fruit without another tree to pollinate them, but some need another plum nearby to do this for them. In theory this means that if you only plant one plum tree, it should be a self-fertile variety. However it’s very unlikely (unless you live in a remote area) that there won’t be another plum tree within a mile of you. If you do live in a remote area, self fertile varieties include Victoria Plum and Farleigh Damson.

Using your plums

Using your plums

Plums are delicious straight from the tree, but if we know plum trees (and we know plum trees), you’ll have more than you can eat! Make them into crumble, jam, chutney and tarts or check out our favourite recipes and ideas for preserving your bumper crop. Grown your own damsons? You have to try the classic gin

Plum Tree FAQs

Where should I plant my plum tree?

It’s best to plant your plum tree in an area that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. It’s also worth noting that frost can damage your trees if you plant them in low areas where there is a possibility of frost settling.

How long does it take a plum tree to produce fruit?

You may see your first plums 3 years after planting, but you should not expect substantial crops until the 4/5th year. Patience tastes like plums!

How do I care for a plum tree?

Grow plum trees in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Bare root trees do not require regular watering, only during dry spells. On the other hand, container grown trees will need watering every other day for the first few months until their roots are established, slowly reducing this to twice a week until autumn. Don’t worry, there’s no need to feed! Plum trees get all the nutrients they need from the soil.

When should I plant a plum tree?

Bare root is best to plant late autumn to early spring when the trees are dormant, and potted trees are best in the summer.

Do I need to prune my plum tree?

We professionally prune our trees before dispatching them. This formative pruning can involve cutting the main leader, to stop the tree becoming 'leggy' and promote stronger, bushier growth.

Do I need two plum trees to produce fruit?

You may need two plum trees to produce fruit as many trees are not fully self-fertile. To ensure a successful crop on trees that are not self-fertile, you will need a compatible plum tree that flowers at the same time.

What are the best plum trees to grow in the UK?

Whatever your plum preference, there are plenty of varieties out there to suit all palates. Here are some of our favourites:

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