There’s plenty of reasons why Victoria plum fruit trees are perfect for all gardens and gardeners:

• Easy to grow. 
• Low maintenance. 
• Very hardy. 
• Don’t need much space. 
• Self-fertile. 
• Tasty fruit straight from the tree. 
• Perfect for cooking and jam making.

And last but not least - you’re almost guaranteed a bumper crop. If you’ve never grown your own fruit before Victoria is the tree for you. But experienced gardeners too will get so much pleasure and reward from planting this most British of fruit trees.

Self-fertile and a snap to grow

If you’re a little hesitant about trying to grow your own fruit - don’t be. The Victoria is one of those wonderful trees which is so easy to successfully grow. They’re rarely seriously troubled by pests and are very low maintenance. All of which is great. But there’s even better news to come.

Victoria plum fruit trees are a self-fertile plant. This virtually guarantees a great crop - though sometimes the Victoria can have an annoying trait of a rather less bountiful crop following a fruit bonanza. But, for the most part, the only problem you may encounter is being able to produce enough pies, jams and plum cobblers to make the most of your bumper harvest. 

Why the Victoria plum is so popular

It’s one of the most popular fruit trees we sell here at Direct Plants. And it’s been very much a favourite with generations of British gardeners since it was first introduced in the mid-nineteenth century.

Of course, the fact that most gardeners will have no problem growing it accounts for much of the Victoria’s popularity. But the plums it produces are among the tastiest you'll find anywhere. Fruit from the Victoria plum tree are large, gorgeously sweet and very juicy. The plum is wonderfully tasty freshly picked from the tree but also make fantastic jams and can be used in dozens of recipes. The fruit itself is pink skinned with bluish hints and yellow flesh.

How to grow Victoria plum fruit trees

The Victoria is a hardy and very resilient tree. But as with any plant, the better the soil the better the chance of a healthy tree and successful crop. Ideally the soil will be well-drained. Prepare the soil by digging it over several times and dig down to a depth of around 18 inches. A two-foot square area should be sufficient for most bare rooted trees. Add fertiliser before planting.

As for position - an area which gets plenty of sun is best. Try and find a spot that is nice and sheltered too. The best time for planting is October to April though if you’re growing in containers you can plant all year round. You’ll normally be able to pick the fruit from mid-August to early September but temperate weather can bring about an earlier crop.

Victoria plum fruit trees can blossom as early as March. This can be an issue if the weather is cold with ground frosts. It can affect the quality of the summer yield of fruit. Because of this it may be advisable to protect your tree with a cover during the night in periods of cold weather.

Don't be afraid to prune your tree. Young trees should be pruned in early spring. More mature trees can be cut back in mid-summer. Pruning your tree will help promote healthy growth as well as providing protection against silver leaf.

Silver leaf is a fungal disease which if untreated can be fatal to a tree. Victoria plum fruit trees can be susceptible to silver leaf but can be treated with a fungicide. Thankfully silver leaf isn't that common. Aphids and greenfly can also affect plum trees, especially in summer, but are easy to eliminate with insecticide.

All-in-all Victoria plum trees are uncomplicated to grow and fairly straightforward to care for. But best of all, you should find yourself harvesting a lovely crop of fruit year after year.

The Victoria summed up:

• Planting Position: Full sun or sheltered position. 
• Aspect: South or west facing. 
• Soil: Will tolerate most well drained soils. 
• Mature Height and spread: 12ft x 5ft. 
• Hardiness: Fully hardy. 
• Foliage: Deciduous. 
• Growth Rate: Average. 
• Fruit picking: Mid-August. 
• Fertility: Self-fertile.

Where to the best Victoria plum fruit trees

Here at Direct Plants we have a wonderful selection of fruit trees. And of course, the Victoria plum is one of our most popular trees. You can purchase healthy, 5-6 foot bare rooted trees which will be safely and securely delivered to your door ready for planting. All our trees are grown in our own Norfolk nursery and if you buy three trees, we’ll give you a fourth absolutely free.

If you need any more information about the Victoria plum or need advice on how to successfully grow your trees don’t hesitate to contact us on 01485 601143 or email us at sales@directplants.co.uk