Plum Trees
Plums
(European: Prunus domestica – Japanese: Prunus salicina)
Plum trees can be grown successfully in many regions of Australia. As a fruiting tree, they do require full sun and well-draining soil with regular fertilising. They can tolerate afternoon shade, as long as they receive sun the rest of the day.
In the warmer areas of Australia (coastal, etc.), it would be best to choose a spot in your garden that’s somewhat protected from the harsh afternoon sun. A cooler spot in the garden like this will also help maximise the amount of chill the trees receive in the winter, which is good for fruit set.
We have both dwarf and full-size options available. Dwarf trees can live quite happily in the ground or in large pots.
The fruit is usually known by two main types: European plums and Japanese plums.
Regardless of type, plums are popular for their versatility. They’re great eaten fresh but can be used in a wide range of cooking, baking, and even alcohol production.
European plums are more commonly available in fruit markets in Europe where they’re grown. They’re frequently freestone, and therefore preferred when it comes to making prunes. Some are even referred to as ‘prune plums’.
Japanese plums are typically larger, juicier, and have a longer shelf-life, which is why they’re usually what you’ll find at the grocery store. They’re also often clingstone fruit, which makes them less suitable for prune making, hence their popularity for eating fresh.
Plum trees need cross-pollination for their fruit to set more reliably. See below for information on suggested pollination partners per variety.
Note: These are only suggestions as general climate or unseasonable weather can sometimes affect the blossom timing of pollination partners.
Fullsize Varieties
$59.50
In stock now!
Max Height: 3 – 4m
- Coe’s Golden Drop (Sold out)
- Santa Rosa
- Satsuma
- Sugar
Dwarf
Varieties
$69.50
In stock now!
Max Height: 2 – 2.5m
- Coe’s Golden Drop (Sold out)
- Green Gage (Sold out)
- Mariposa (Sold out)
- Narrabeen
- D’Agen (Sold out)
- Santa Rosa
- Satsuma
- Sugar (sold out)
Plum Variety Information
Click on the names below for more details about our plum range, as well as pollination information.
Coe’s Golden Drop (European) Plum Information
The Coe’s Golden Drop plum is an old variety that seems to date back to 19th century England, though it’s since become a popular growing option worldwide. The fruit is relatively large with a golden yellow skin when ripe. The inner flesh is sweet and juicy with a good amount of flavour.
Freestone fruit: Flesh comes away from the stone more easily.
Inner flesh colour: Yellow
Fruit ripens: From February
Cross Pollinators: Green Gage, Prune D’Agen, Robe de Sergeant, Sugar Plum, Damson, Angelina
Donsworth (Japanese) Plum Information
Donsworths are one of the ‘blood plums’, named for their deep red inner flesh. The fruit itself can be quite large in size, with a mottled red and green skin. The inner flesh is sweet and tender. It’s softer when fully ripe and has a good juicy texture.
Clingstone fruit: Flesh clings more tightly to the stone.
Inner flesh colour: Red
Fruit ripens: January
Cross Pollinators: Satsuma, Mariposa, Narrabeen
Green Gage (European) Plum Information
Green Gage plums are one of the oldest varieties, seemingly introduced to Europe as far back as the 15th century. As a result, it’s highly popular worldwide. The medium sized fruit has a greenish yellow skin and is definitely sweeter than it looks, when it comes to flavour. The inner flesh is tender and juicy, great for eating fresh or being used in cooking, preserve making, and more.
Freestone fruit: Flesh comes away from the stone more easily.
Inner flesh colour: Yellow or pale green
Fruit ripens: February
Cross Pollinators: Angelina, Coe’s Golden Drop, Damson, President, Sugar Plum, Prune D’Agen, Robe de Sergeant
Mariposa (Japanese) Plum Information
The Mariposa is a popular blood plum that tends to crop quite well in most regions of Australia. The fruit can be large with a distinct heart-like shape, and regular thinning out of crops will ensure this larger size. The skin is a deep red colour and the inner flesh is sweet and juicy.
Freestone fruit: Flesh comes away from the stone more easily
Inner flesh colour: Red
Fruit ripens: From January
Cross Pollinators: Santa Rosa, Satsuma, Narrabeen
Narrabeen (Japanese) Plum Information
The Narrabeen is a medium sized plum with an attractive dark red to almost purple skin. The inner flesh is a soft yellow in colour, with a firm or tender texture that’s sweet and juicy with a good amount of flavour.
Freestone fruit: Flesh comes away from the stone more easily.
Inner flesh colour: Yellow
Fruit ripens: December – January
Cross Pollinators: Mariposa, Satsuma, Donsworth, Santa Rosa
Prune D’Agen (European) Plum Information
The D’Agen is a type of European plum often used in prune making, hence it will often be referred to as ‘Prune D’Agen’ or as a ‘prune plum’. It has a dark red to purple outer skin and a sweet, tender inner flesh that’s rather sweet and juicy.
Semi-Clingstone fruit: The inner flesh comes away from the stone somewhat easily.
Fruit ripens: February – March
Cross Pollinators: Robe de Sergeant, Green Gage, Coe’s Golden Drop
Prune Robe de Sergeant (European) Information
The Robe d Sergeant is another ‘prune plum’ variety, often favoured for dried fruit or prune making, as well as eating fresh. The outer skin is a deep, almost blue shade of purple, with a pale bloom over it (the frosty or dusty look some plums have). The inner flesh is tender, very sweet, and juicy.
Freestone fruit: The inner flesh comes away from the stone more easily.
Inner flesh colour: Yellow
Fruit ripens: February onwards
Cross Pollinators: D’Agen, Green Gage, Coe’s Golden Drop
Santa Rosa (Japanese) Plum Information
Santa Rosa is a good quality, large sized plum with deep crimson to purple skin and a pale bloom (that often frosty or dusty look on the outside of plums). The inner flesh is mildly sweet and becomes a bit more tart near the stone and skin.
Freestone fruit: The inner flesh comes away from the stone more easily
Inner flesh colour: Yellow
Fruit ripens: From January
Cross Pollinators: Narrabeen, Mariposa, Satsuma
Satsuma (Japanese) Plum Information
Satsuma is a round, medium size plum with red to dark red skin. Originating in China, the Satsuma is another ‘blood plum’ variety, with a deep red inner flesh that’s tender, sweet, and juicy.
Clingstone fruit: The inner flesh clings more tightly to the stone
Inner flesh colour: Deep red (blood plum)
Fruit ripens: January – February
Cross Pollinators: Mariposa, Santa Rosa, Narrabeen
Sugar Plum (European) Plum Information
Sugar Plums are aptly named after their extremely sweet flavour. The higher natural sugar content makes them excellent for drying or jam and preserve making. The fruit is small with a relatively oval shape to it. The skin is dark red or almost brown when ripe and the inner flesh is juicy and tender.
Freestone fruit: Flesh comes away from the stone more easily.
Inner flesh colour: Yellow
Fruit ripens: February – March
Cross Pollinators: Damson, Robe de Sergeant. May be partially self-fertile*