I bought two plums trees there today ... A Czar Plum and an Opal Plum. I really wanted a Victoria Plum but at £3.99 a tree you can't really go wrong. Both strong looking trees with a nice root ball. Soaking overnight in a bucket and into the ground tomorrow I hope.
The plan is Plums from July to September - I love them - and plum jams as well !
Plum Czar:
An old and trusted variety that produces purple blue fruits that darken and sweeten as they mature.
Picked young, the blue skinned fruits will be found to be quite acidic - making them one of the best cooking plums (or perfect for those who like a bit more bite to their plums!).
If left on the tree the skins will darken down to near black in colour and the flesh will become much sweeter - making it lovely late season eating plum.
Season of use August.
First introduced 1871, Hertfordshire, UK.
Self Fertile - but pollination by another damson, gage or plum will maximise yield.
Grown on St Julien A rootstock for an ultimate (un-pruned) height of 12 - 15 feet (3.65 - 4.6 metres) but can easily be kept at a height of 6 - 8 feet (1.8 - 2.4 metres).
Recommended by the RHS to be an excellent attractant and nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects.
Plum : Opal
Plum 'Opal' is one of the most reliable garden varieties, and is suitable for growing throughout the country. Slightly earlier to crop than 'Victoria', this dessert plum produces a heavy crop of excellent quality, small, yellow skinned fruits with an attractive red flush in July and August. The golden flesh easily separates from its stone and has a delicious gage flavour.
Grafted onto a semi-dwarfing rootstock, to produce a compact, productive tree. Plum 'Opal' is partially self-fertile but will produce a better yield if planted with a pollination companion such as Plum 'Victoria'. Height and spread: 2.5m (8'). Rootstock: St. Julien A.
Estimated time to cropping once planted: 2 years.
Estimated time to best yields: 4 years.
