Guest post by Katrina & Clayton
Plum trees (Prunus domestica) are a great addition to any garden, producing delicious fruit with minimal effort. In Scotland, where the climate can be unpredictable, choosing the right variety and providing proper care are key to successful plum cultivation.
Growing Plum Trees in Scotland
Plum trees thrive in temperate climates and can adapt to Scotland’s cooler, wetter conditions, provided they are given adequate shelter and care. The best varieties for Scotland include Early Rivers, Victoria, & Marjories Seedling, which are known for their resilience and ability to ripen in shorter growing seasons, this is key to growing in Scotland.
For successful growth, plum trees require:
A sunny, sheltered location to protect against strong winds and late frosts.
Well draining soil to prevent root rot in Scotland’s often damp conditions.
Regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruiting.
Pollination partners, unless a self fertile variety is chosen.
Early Rivers: Earliest Fruiting
Early Rivers is one of the earliest plum varieties to ripen, usually ready for harvesting in late July to early August. This variety produces medium sized, dark purple fruit with a sweet and juicy flesh.
It is an excellent choice for fresh eating, making jams, and cooking. Early Rivers plum trees are partially self fertile but will produce a heavier crop when planted alongside another compatible plum variety. This variety thrives in sheltered, sunny locations and performs well in Scotland’s shorter growing season. Regular pruning to remove dead wood and open up the canopy enhances air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.
Victoria: Early Fruiting
Victoria is arguably the most popular and widely grown plum variety in the UK. It produces large, oval, reddish purple plums with a sweet and juicy yellow flesh.
Victoria plums are versatile and can be eaten fresh, cooked into desserts, or made into preserves. This self fertile variety is ideal for Scottish gardens due to its ability to withstand cooler conditions.
It ripens from late August to early September. Victoria plum trees benefit from being pruned annually to maintain their shape and promote fruiting. They prefer a sunny, sheltered spot and well draining soil. This variety is relatively low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for home gardeners.
Marjorie’s Seedling: Later Fruiting
Marjorie’s Seedling is a late season plum variety, typically ready for harvest in September. It produces large, oval shaped plums with a deep purple skin and golden yellow flesh.
The fruit is slightly tart when fresh but sweetens when fully ripe, making it suitable for fresh eating, cooking, and preserving. This hardy variety is well suited to Scotland’s climate due to its resistance to disease and ability to tolerate cooler weather.
Marjorie’s Seedling is partially self fertile but will produce a more abundant crop with a suitable pollination partner. It requires a well draining soil, a sunny position, and annual pruning to maintain health and productivity.
Planting Plum Trees
When to Plant
The best time to plant plum trees in Scotland is late autumn to early spring, while the tree is dormant. Bare root trees should be planted in late autumn or winter, while container grown trees can be planted at any time of year, though spring and autumn are ideal.
Choose the Right Spot: Select a sheltered, sunny area away from frost pockets.
Prepare the Soil: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and add organic compost to enrich the soil. Caledonian Green Goodness is ideal.
Plant at the Right Depth: Place the tree so that the graft union (the knobbly part near the base) sits above soil level.
Backfill and Firm Down: Fill in the hole, firm the soil around the roots, and water thoroughly. Caledonian Green Goodness is ideal to use for this as a Tree and shrub backfill mix.
Stake the Tree: Provide support for the first few years to prevent wind damage.
Mulch: Apply a mulch layer around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning Plum Trees
Pruning is essential for maintaining the health, shape, and productivity of plum trees. The best time to prune is in late spring or early summer, avoiding winter pruning, which can make the tree susceptible to silver leaf disease.
Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
Thin out crowded branches to allow sunlight and air circulation.
Shorten vigorous shoots to maintain a manageable size and shape.
Avoid over-pruning, as plum trees can become stressed and produce fewer fruits.
Caring for Plum Trees
Young plum trees need regular watering, especially during dry spells. Established trees require less frequent watering but should be monitored during prolonged drought.
Pest and Disease Management
Scottish plum trees can be susceptible to:
Aphids: Spray with soapy water or introduce natural predators.
Silver Leaf Disease: Prevent by avoiding winter pruning.
Brown Rot: Improve air circulation and remove affected fruit promptly.
Plum trees benefit from companion planting, which enhances pollination, deters pests, and improves soil health.
Best Companion Plants
Marigolds: Repel aphids and nematodes.
Chives and Garlic: Help deter plum moths and fungal diseases.
Lavender: Attracts pollinators and repels pests.
Nasturtiums: Act as a sacrificial plant, drawing pests away from plum trees.
Comfrey: Provides mulch and adds nutrients to the soil.
Plants to Avoid
Potatoes and Tomatoes: Can spread blight and attract pests.Walnut Trees: Release chemicals that inhibit the growth of plum trees.
Growing plum trees in Scotland with the right care and attention, selecting a suitable variety, providing well draining soil, and ensuring proper pruning and pest management, Scottish gardeners can enjoy abundant plum harvests year after year. With companion planting and careful monitoring, plum trees can become a valuable and productive addition to any garden.
Katrina & Clayton
Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.
They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine. Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.
See more and follow Katrina & Clayton at the links below:
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