Plum Trees
Plum trees are perfect for any size of garden, with heavy crops of delicious fruit to eat straight from the tree or in crumbles and jams. Read on for all the best tips on choosing, growing and caring for plum, damson and gage trees.
What size/rootstock do I need?
A tree’s rootstock determines how large it will grow, so it’s important to choose the right one for your space. Trees on Pixy rootstock grow to around 3m so they’re perfect for small-medium gardens. Trees on St Julien A rootstocks are more vigorous, reaching heights of 4.5-5m - 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.
Do I need a self-fertile plum tree?
Not necessarily - if there’s another plum tree within a mile (very likely), they will be able to pollinate each other. If you live somewhere less populated, it’s best to get two trees of different varieties which will act as pollination partners or go for a self fertile variety like Victoria or Farleigh.
What's the difference between a plum, a damson and a gage?
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!
Other things to consider
You may want to consider harvesting time - most trees fruit in August but some will crop earlier or later. If you’re looking for a tree which is lower maintenance, Plums and Damsons are a good choice for beginners. Several of our trees have also been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. For more information, you can find all of our Plum Tree tips and advice here.
The UK's favourite - reliable, versatile and delicious!
- Dual purpose plum with sweet, juicy purple fruit
- Mutiple sizes and rootstock options available including 1 x 1.5m patio tree
- Heavy crops of fruit in mid-late August
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 3)
Superbly flavoured red dessert plum
- Deliciously sweet red dessert plum
- Multiple sizes available incl. a 2m x 1m cordon variety
- Heavy crops from late July to August
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 3)
The largest damson variety, great for cooking & jams
- Culinary damson with large blue-purple fruits perfect for jams
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Late season harvest in September
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 3)
Versatile French cherry plum, ideal for cooking or eating
- Dual purpose, golden-skinned cherry plum
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Late season harvest in September
- Partially Self-fertile (Pollination Group 3)
Easy to grow gage with sweet and juicy golden fruit
- Dual purpose sweet and juicy golden gage
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Heavy crops starting in mid August
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 4)
Considered to have the best flavour of any plum or gage
- Superb, sweet-eating green dessert gage
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Late season harvest in September
- Not Self fertile (Pollination Group 3)
Heavy cropping Damson with juicy blue fruit
- Culinary Damson with heavy crops of blue fruit
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Crops mid-season in late August
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 4)
Heavy-cropping heritage Damson, perfect for pies, jams & wine
- Tart, juicy culinary damson perfect for baking
- Max size H4m x W4m - SJA Rootstock
- Crops reliably from late August
- Self fertile (Pollination Group 3)
Unique tree with contrasting colours of deep purple and pink
- Contrast of deep purple leaves & pale pink flowers
- Stems blending with the colour scheme of the tree
- Small red berries attracting birds
- Ideal for small spaces growing to 4x4m
Even better than Victoria?
- Red-purple plums with a firm yellow flesh
- Eat fresh from the tree or cook
- Harvest from August to September
- Self fertile
Superb taste, superb crop!
- Large yellow dessert plum
- Perfect size for the average garden
- Heavy crops in late August
- Self fertile
Heavy cropping classic Gage
- Equally good for eating or culinary use
- Light green fruit with a sweet flavour
- Late season - harvest in September
- RHS award winner
The perfect culinary plum
- Golden yellow spherical fruits
- Ideal for cooking and preserves
- Harvest in mid-August
- Partially self fertile
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