Plum Tree: Prunus Domestica: Opal

Opal Plum Tree – Prunus domestica

Grow the delicious Opal plum with its sweet dessert gages. This consistently fruiting, compact, and hardy plum tree bears roundish red-purple dessert gages that are perfect for eating fresh. In early spring, it produces small white flowers, followed by fruit that starts off green in mid to late summer and ripens into its true red-purple colour. As it’s self-fertile, it doesn’t require another pollinator, making it an easy choice for home fruit growing.

Key Features

• Self-Fertile: No pollinator required — one tree will produce fruit on its own
• Sweet Dessert Gages: Roundish red-purple fruit perfect for eating fresh
• Reliable Cropping: Produces consistent crops year after year
• Compact Size: Perfect for smaller gardens
• Beautiful Blossom: Small white flowers in early spring create a lovely display
• Hardy: Reliable in UK conditions
• Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and care for

Growing Information

Ultimate Height: 2–4m
Ultimate Spread: 2–4m
Pollinator Group: Self-fertile (no pollinator needed)
Harvest Time: Mid to late summer
Growth Rate: Moderate
Position: Full sun, some shelter ideal
Soil: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil
Hardiness: Fully hardy (H5)

Planting & Care

Plant in autumn or early spring in moist, well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Position in full sun in a sheltered spot protected from cold winds and late frosts. Water regularly during the first two growing seasons and during dry spells in summer. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in early spring. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune in summer after fruiting to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged wood. Thin fruit in June if crops are very heavy to ensure good-sized gages.

Perfect For

• Small gardens and urban spaces
• Eating fresh as a dessert fruit
• Home fruit growing
• Gardens with limited space
• Adding spring blossom to gardens
• Low-maintenance fruit production
• Beginner fruit growers

Why Choose Opal Plum?

Opal is valued for its sweet, delicious dessert gages that are perfect for eating fresh. The compact size, self-fertile nature, and reliable cropping make it an excellent choice for smaller gardens. This hardy, low-maintenance tree rewards you with abundant crops of beautiful red-purple gages year after year.