Best Plum Varieties for Scotland

Plum blossom opens early, so in Scotland frost is the thing that decides the crop. All six plums RHS recommends are self-fertileA plant that can set fruit using its own pollen, without needing a second, different variety nearby to cross-pollinate it. Full definition →, so the choice comes down to how each handles frost, when it ripens and what you want it for.

What Scotland means for the choice

Plums crop best in fertile soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Frost damage to the blossom can cut the crop, and late frosts are common across much of Scotland (see the frost dates). In colder locations RHS suggests a late-flowering variety such as Blue Tit. Czar and Marjorie's Seedling are less susceptible to frost damage, while Victoria and Opal flower early and so are at risk from spring frosts. On a marginal site, a tree fan-trainedA fruit tree or bush trained flat with branches radiating out from a low point, the standard shape for wall-grown stone fruit. Full definition → against a wall or fence gets extra shelter. The plum growing guide covers rootstocksThe root system and lower stem a fruit tree is grafted onto, chosen to control the tree's eventual size rather than for its own fruit. Full definition →, planting and pruning.

All six hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGMThe RHS's Award of Garden Merit: a UK-wide trials award for reliable performance, not a Scotland-specific recommendation. Full definition →) and are self-fertile.

For a colder site: Blue Tit, Czar and Marjorie's Seedling

Blue Tit is a compact, reliable blue plum with a pleasant flavour and regular, good crops, in pollination groupA classification of fruit tree varieties by when they flower each spring, used to check whether two varieties can pollinate each other. Full definition → 5. Czar is a compact, reliably fruiting culinary plum, growing to 2.5–4m depending on the rootstock, with very deep blue fruit.Marjorie's Seedling is a reliable, vigorous, upright tree with heavy crops of juicy blue fruit from late September to October, good for jam, in pollination group 5.

Victoria, Opal and Warwickshire Drooper

Victoria is a reliably fruiting plum to 2.5–4m, with dark red fruit for eating or cooking, but it flowers early, so give it shelter. Opal is a reliably fruiting dessert plum with reddish-purple fruit, also early-flowering. Warwickshire Drooper is a vigorous, weeping tree with yellow, quite sweet fruit and a reliable crop. It's suitable for colder areas and tolerates light shade, but its flowers can still be damaged by spring frost.

Which one for your situation

• A cold garden with late frosts: Blue Tit.
• An early crop for cooking: Czar.
• A late crop for jam: Marjorie's Seedling.
• The classic plum for eating fresh, in a sheltered spot: Victoria.
• A dessert plum: Opal.
• A cooking plum for a colder area or light shade: Warwickshire Drooper, though its flowers can still be frosted.

Common questions

Sources