Choosing a Plum Tree Species

Hi everyone,

I'm right at the start of designing my new garden (you can find out more here: https://mygardenfromscratch.weebly.com/), but one of the first things that I want to do (this month, if possible), is to plant a plum tree. I've read that a lack of diversity of fruit trees is a problem these days because garden centres all sell the same species, and often not the traditional species native to the UK. Any recommendations of traditional varieties of plum trees that I could consider planting and good places/websites where I could buy them?

Thanks!

(Twitter: @gardenfrscratch)

I chose a Methley plum because they (supposedly) do not need a pollinator and I don't have room for more than one in my garden.  I only planted it in the spring, so, sadly, I don't have much information for you.  I ordered it from Stark- www.starkbros.com. Don't know if they ship to the UK.  It was a two year old bare root plant and grew very vigorously after I got it in the ground.

I checked out your site and thought I'd share this article, since you are working in a small space, too.  I am trying this pruning method on my plum, so far it is responding well.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/gardening-techniques/small-fruit-trees-zm0z15onzdel

Mark Griffin wrote:I chose a Methley plum because they (supposedly) do not need a pollinator and I don't have room for more than one in my garden.  I only planted it in the spring, so, sadly, I don't have much information for you.  I ordered it from Stark- www.starkbros.com. Don't know if they ship to the UK.  It was a two year old bare root plant and grew very vigorously after I got it in the ground.

I checked out your site and thought I'd share this article, since you are working in a small space, too.  I am trying this pruning method on my plum, so far it is responding well.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/gardening-techniques/small-fruit-trees-zm0z15onzdel

Thanks! So, you bought a standard tree and pruned it to keep it small? I'm getting a bit confused by 'cordon' trees. Most of the fruit trees that I've seen for sale are cordon, but I'm not sure if they are supposed to be used as trees or if they are more for creating edibles hedges!

My personal preference is for Victoria, which is self fertile, but it's very common and susceptible to some diseases. Your local garden center will have that one. it can be kept small but you have to prune in early summer (same goes for all plums) or you risk letting silver leaf disease in.
I have heard good things about this nursery Chris Bowers and they certainly have a large variety of plums!

Plums are wonderful trees to have in your orchard. I recommend both www.onegreenworld.com and www.raintreenursery.com as resources for wonderful varieties of plum. Personally I love the shiro and  Blau de Belguique plums.

I grow and sell Ozark Premier, Morris, and Methley because they are slightly more disease resistant in my humid climate.  Besides picking resistant varieties you can encourage air movement with site location and pruning to have an open form, remove dead wood and shriveled fruit, and thin fruit so they aren't touching.

Many thanks for suggestions, everyone!

In the end, I opted for this one: https://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/product/plum-marjoriesseedling/

I looked at various suppliers of fruit trees and the range of tree varieties is mind-boggling!!!

I was very interested in buying a traditional (often rare) variety, but most of them are not reliably self-fertile and I don't think I have room for more than one tree. So, I've gone for a fairly safe bet which should provide plums for both eating and cooking. I also wanted a late-fruiting tree as that's the time of year that I'll have more time to make jam :)