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Opal Plum Tree

Name: Opal Plum Tree
Brand: Ornamental Trees
SKU: OPT.JA.12.1
Price: 70.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

Early-season Eating Plum

From £70

From £70 ~~£70~~

Save 15% on All Trees! Ends 31 Oct 🍂 Use code GROW15

Awards RHS Award of Garden Merit

Final size Pixy 3m / St Julien A 4-5m approx. in 10 years

Cropping period Early season (Late July)

Fruit Sweet eating plum

Pollination group Self fertile, group B

Position Full sun

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Product Details

Planting & Care

Delivery Information

Description

An early fruiting variety (sometimes known as the early Victoria), Opal Plum trees produce good crops of large plums with a brilliant, slightly gage-like flavour. The attractive fruits have reddish skin and it is often noted that the stone comes away very easily from the flesh.

A self fertile variety, Opal Plum trees will produce crops in late July without the need of a pollination partner. Attractive white blossom in spring is popular with pollinating insects. This plum tree holds RHS AGM status and is a cross between Oullins Gage and Early Favourite.

Prunus domestica 'Opal' comes from Sweden, 1925.

Planting Steps

1Preparation

Pot-grown plants can be planted at any time of year, whereas bare roots need to be planted between November and March.
Clear weeds and grass within a metre of the planting hole.
Dig a hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide.
To help your plant establish more effectively, sprinkle Rootgrow in the hole.

2Planting

Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.
Ensure the top of the plant's compost is flush with the level of the surrounding soil and the graft union or collar of the tree is above ground level.
Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost.
Fill in the hole, firming the soil gently.

3Last Steps

Water generously around the base of the plant.
If you are planting either a single stem tree or mature standard tree, we recommend adding a staking kit and rabbit guard.

Aftercare Advice

Plum, gage and damson trees require a good watering regime for a couple of years whilst they establish. Water well and regularly through spring and summer, increasing in hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. It is advisable to keep the area free of competing weeds and grass during this period.

Prune plum trees for the first few years after planting to ensure a healthy, balanced shape with one central leader and several strong side shoots. Straight after planting, remove the lowest laterals and prune the rest back to about 10-15cm in length. Carry out this type of formative pruning in early spring.

In the following years, remove any shoots growing out of the trunk to maintain a clear stem. Also remove any crossing, diseased or damaged branches. If your tree is looking overcrowded, remove some of the larger branches to open up the canopy. Carry out this type of pruning in spring or mid-summer.

For more detailed advice and video guides, please visit our Help & Advice section.

MAINLAND UK — excluding remote locations
Small trees & shrubs*: £12 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £35 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £65 for 1 or more

REMOTE UK LOCATIONS — including Scottish Highlands & Islands
Small trees & shrubs*: £35 for 1 or more
Larger shrubs & mature Japanese Maples: £65 for 1 or more
Mature, Pleached, Hedging & Specialist Trees: £120 for 1 or more

*Small trees & shrubs are typically supplied in pots up to 15 litres.
Additional remote-location surcharges may apply.
Unfortunately, we are not able to make delivery of live plants to Northern Ireland or any countries outside of the UK.

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