Plum (Prunus) Opal 12L

'Opal' is one of the most dependable plums for the garden and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Often described as an early 'Victoria', it produces heavy crops of sweet, richly flavoured, reddish-purple plums from late July into early August. It is one of the first plums of the season, helping to get the plum harvest off to an early start. The juicy golden-yellow flesh comes cleanly away from the stone, and the fruit is at its best eaten fresh from the tree. It is also good for jams, bottling and baking. White blossom opens in early spring and is valuable for bees and other pollinators. It is self-fertile, so a single tree will crop well on its own, which makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens.

Plant in full sun in a sheltered spot, ideally facing south or west, for the best flavour; it does particularly well against a warm, sunny wall. It prefers moist but well-drained soil. Improve poorer ground with well-rotted compost or manure before planting, and keep a weed-free circle of at least 60cm around the trunk. Because it flowers early, the blossom can be caught by spring frosts, so avoid frost pockets. Water well while it establishes and during dry spells as the fruit swells. 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 in early summer to keep the tree fruiting well every year, and net ripening fruit to keep the birds off. It is fully hardy (RHS H6). Size depends on the rootstock, with the RHS giving a height and spread of 2.5–4m within 5–10 years.

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

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.