Plum (Prunus) Guinevere 12L

'Guinevere' is a modern British plum that brings the season to a delicious close. It was introduced in 2000 and grows into a compact, well-shaped tree that crops heavily with large, purple-black plums. The sweet, juicy, yellowish flesh has a good balance of sweetness and sharpness. It is primarily a dessert plum for eating fresh, but it is just as good in crumbles, tarts and preserves. The fruit is ready to pick from mid-September, when most other plums have finished. Unusually for a plum, it keeps well for a week or so in the fridge. It is self-fertile, so a single tree will crop well on its own, and its spring blossom is valuable for bees and other pollinators.

Plant in full sun in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Improve poorer ground with well-rotted compost or manure before planting. A sheltered spot is best, because very late frosts can damage the blossom and reduce that year's crop, although they won't harm the tree itself. Water well while it establishes, particularly in dry spells. Prune plums in summer rather than winter to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker, shaping the tree and removing any dead or crossing branches. Thin heavy crops if needed, and net ripening fruit to keep the birds off. It is fully hardy and shows good resistance to common plum problems. Size depends on the rootstock; on the popular St Julien A rootstock, expect around 4–5m in height with a spread of about 4m.

Supplied in a 12 litre pot. Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.