Hardy
FROM £44.99
Old variety dating back to 1600's
Perfect for jams and wine making
Exceptionally hardy and reliable
Shropshire prunes date back to the 17th century and still have much to offer modern growers. Blue-black fruits can be harvested in late September. The small fruits are sharp and astringent when fresh, but cook down to make fabulous jams and puddings with an intensely rich flavour. This variety is hardy, tough and suitable for growing in all areas of the UK. Being self fertile, it is reliable, producing excellent crops year after year.
This variety is self-fertile and does not require a pollination partner.
Estimated time to cropping once planted: 2 years.
Estimated time to best yields: 4 years.
Useful links:
How to grow fruit trees Fruit rootstock guide
Plant height and spread is seasonal therefore we list by pot size rather than a defined plant size. The height and spread of the plant delivered will vary depending on the season, meaning arrival images are an indication only.
Show Codes
1 Bare Root Tree (Organic - St Julien Rootstock) (KF6142)
1 x 13 Litre Potted Tree (St Julien A Rootstock) (KB2319)
Fruit trees do not suffer weed competition well. Keep weeds and grass clear from within a 30cm radius of base of the tree. In spring, while the ground is moist, apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost around the base of the tree, taking care not to mound it up against the stem. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer. Feed and water plum trees during particularly dry periods.
Care should be taken when pruning plum trees to avoid winter pruning as this leaves plums prone to silver leaf disease. In the first spring after planting, select 3 or 4 well spaced branches on a clear trunk of at least 75cm (29"), and shorten them by two thirds. Remove the central stem to just above the highest of the selected branches. Remove any laterals below the selected branches.
In the following spring, select 2 or 3 sub laterals on each branch and shorten these by half to create a balanced, open framework. Remove any weak or badly placed shoots completely. In future years, plums will require pruning in late spring to remove damaged, badly placed or diseased wood. Thin heavy crops when the fruits reach the size of hazelnuts to prevent the branches from snapping under their weight. Allow one fruit every 7-10cm (3-4") along each stem.
Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.
Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.
Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.
Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.
Large items may incur a higher delivery charge - this will be displayed in your shopping basket.
Please see our Delivery page for further details, and more information on different charges that may apply to certain destinations.
For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.