[cheshirecheese]

I'm planning to buy a plum tree as an addition to my fruit and veg garden.  I want a variety that's suitable for both cooking and eating from the tree, as I make a lot of chutneys and preserves, but would also like to have some for the fruit bowl.  From what I've gleaned via Google and a couple of specialist nurseries, good old Victoria seems to fit the bill ... does anyone have any alternative suggestions, or is this old-fashioned variety genuinely the best? 

Thanks! 

[plum crumble]

good old Victoria are great. There are some good websites - for example http://www.mailordertrees.co.uk/Plum_Trees.htm
where you can see choices.

I love the golden plums listed there - a neighbouring lottie holder has one, and gives me his excess. Fabulous eaters, but also make wonderful puddings, jams and chutneys. mmmmm

make sure they can be pollinated though!!

[bigben]

Plum Crumble - how do you make sure plums get pollinated? Do you just have to have another in the neighbourhood or is their something else to do?

[cheshirecheese]

Thanks, Plum Crumble, and yes, the fact Victoria is self-fertile was another reason I'd put that at the top of the list, as I don't think any of the neighbours have plums of any variety in their garden!  If I had room I'd have a yellow one as well, if only because I have a recipe for Chinese spiced plums which uses them!!

[plum crumble]

well I am no means an expert on fruit trees, and I am sure someone else will come along who can give good advice. However, my understanding was that there had to be another fruit tree of the same type (another plum if you have plum, or another apple if you have apple, etc) within about 100ft to facilitate pollination.

[DD.]

Victoria plums are self-fertile. Here's the full low-down.

http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Prunus-Victoria-Plum-Trees

[sion01]

I've got two victoria plum tree's and they are ace.Being self fertile they take some of the worry away.One thing I would research is wether you can get some varieties that flower later then Victoria as frost can damage the flowers which leads to less/no fruit.If you live in an area prone to late frost's I would really look in to that.

But I do like the Victoria as I love the golden jam they make.Looks a bit like marmalade but tastes of summer and sunshine.

[shokkyy]

I can highly recommend Oullin's Golden Gage. Beautiful sweet fruit, self-fertile (I'm more than a mile away from the nearest other plum tree). My tree has always consistently cropped very heavily every single year, regardless of weather, and a lot of plum varieties seem to have a heavy crop one year followed by a light crop the next year. It's not a true Gage, more a yellow plum. Beautiful eaten fresh and beautiful cooked, makes lovely jam.

[catweazle]

im planning on a cox's emperor   aka queens crown

a old one but ive heard nothing but good things

[cheshirecheese]

Thanks everyone 

[Kleftiwallah]

It's in the National Anthem.  .  .  ."Send her Victorias"   Easy.   Make sure you read up about the Plum moth.     Cheers,    Tony.