PLUM TREES. A-H.

               Plums belong to Prunus genus which are related to  peach  nectarine and even almonds, all of which are considered  as Drupes, fruit that have a hard stone pit surrounding the seed.

                Plums, peach and nectarines are very similar in  formation and are thought to have to have originated from one species, but with the skill and care together with detail for taste, colour and appeal, made by growers/grafters, they have evolved to some varied and interesting fruits. plums are delicious fruits that are not only flavoursome and juicy,but can be used in cooking, to make plum jams, plum pies, plum wines and so on, and are as delightful  just in the  eating. If you choose a plum tree my suggestion would be of one that can be used for  eating (beware they may disappear before your eyes), as well as one of the uses suggested.

               When selecting a plum tree take the advice of your garden/horticultural centre as they have the skill and knowledge to help and advise you of a suitable choice to suit your site conditions. Whilst not all gardening centres grow the varying plum trees included in my lists, they have probably taken supplies from growers of repute, and their suggestions are given knowing the reliability of the source.

                   PLUMS.

       AVALON Plum.

                 The Avalon plum tree is partially self fertile, from around the Bristol area in the U.K. Producing a large oval/round plum, which is classed as a good quality dessert  plum, ready for picking mid August.

        BELLE de LOUVAIN Plum.

                    A self fertile tree, the Belle de Louvain produces a  very large purple plum, which is both firm textured and sweet.  Suitable for both culinary and dessert uses this plum ripens in  mid August.

        BLACK BEAUTY Plum.

                  The Black beauty plum is similar in shape and size to  a  Red beauty but with a darker more purplish black skin, a very juicy ( beware the dribble factor) and sweet plum.

         BURBANK Plum.

                   A medium sized plum, produced on the Burbank tree which is partially self fertile, and is often heavily set with plums, so be sure to support the limbs of this plum tree, for should they snap off fungal disease may enter the tree and destroy it. The plum tree Burbank is a low growing flat topped tree, bearing plums that have bright red mottled yellow skins and a deep yellow flesh that has a very good flavour.

         CASSLEMAN Plum.

                    If you are looking for one of the best tasting late season plums  then Cassleman is a plum tree to consider. With a bright red skin the plum  flesh is a deep amber, tasting both sweet and meaty.    

         CZAR Plum.

                 Czar plum trees are good croppers especially if sited and trained on a south facing wall. This plum was a cross  of two varieties, raised in the  U.K. around 1870 by  Thomas Rivers, and named to coincide and honour the visit of the Russian Emperor. The plums are round, to oval, purpleish skin having yellow to green flesh and a very juicy flavour. no pollinator is required, as the Czar plum is self fertile tree.

        EDWARDS Plum.

                 The Edwards plum is known for it's reliability to produce large heavy crops of plums with dark blue skins having a greenish-yellow flesh, however, I should warn you that unless you like a "sharp" taste, these plums  are best cooked, when you can add your sweetener to taste.

         EL DORADO Plum.

                  EL Dorado produces a plum with a brightred skin with purple  highlights, whilst the amber flesh of the plum has a mellow sweet flavour.  One of the assets of this  plum is that it stays firm during cooking, and this  makes it an ideal plum for canning or preserving to give you some idea of  it's size, you will have between 5 to 8 plums in the pound.

          ELEPHANT HEART Plum.

                  The Elephant Heart plum tree produces a large, dark red/purple  conical plum, which has a red/purple juicy sweet flesh, in fact a all purpose  plum as it is not only good for eating fresh, but ideal for  bottling, preserving or canning. You could say a plum with a built in dribble factor.

           EXCALIBUR Plum.

                   (Nothing to do with King Arthur or his sword). The plum of Excalibur, in many ways is very similar to the Victoria plum, an early season fruiting/ripening plum, which is large and of excellent quality.

           FRIAR Plum.

                   The colouring of the Fiar plum reminds me of a damson, with the deep blue to purplish black skin, but the amber flesh of plum has a sweet taste when ripe.

           HERMAN Plum.

                    The Herman plum tree is a self pollinator, with the plums ready for picking in mid season, (late July). A medium sized plum with a blueish  black skin with flesh of excellent quality.

                     Just the writing about plums and their flavours makes my  mouth water, so I will continue with yet more descriptions, just to whet  your appetite, but do remember that with a little TLC (Tender loving care)  you can have a fruit tree that will yield plums for the rest of your life.

                                FRED.